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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

West End Watch Company Matchless Wristwatch

Partially verified

This 1940s men's wristwatch by the West End Watch Company features the model name Matchless printed on its dial. According to the seller, it is powered by a Swiss 15-jewel manual-winding Vertex movement. Measuring 32.5 mm in diameter excluding the crown and lugs, the watch has a nickel case and an 'Everbright' stamped case back. The white dial displays bold Roman numeral hour markers, an outer railway minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, complemented by blued steel hands.

Three-quarter view of the West End Watch Company Matchless wristwatch on display stand
Three-quarter view of the West End Watch Company Matchless wristwatch on display stand — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch
Maker / attribution
West End Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a12330
Source-reported date
1940s
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Design

The watch presents a white dial marked with bold Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track, and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. Markings include 'WEST END WATCH CO.' with 'MATCHLESS' in red lettering below the 12 o'clock position, and 'SWISS MADE' located at the lower edge below 6 o'clock.

The seller reports original blued steel hands and notes that the dial has a short, faint hairline crack situated between 11 and 12, described as difficult to see with the naked eye.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with bold Roman numerals and a small seconds register at 6 o'clock”
  • “Dial signed 'WEST END WATCH CO.' and 'MATCHLESS' in red lettering below 12 o'clock”
  • “Dial signed 'SWISS MADE' at the very bottom beneath 6 o'clock”
  • “Original blued steel hands.”
  • “just a short very faint hairline between 11 and 12 but difficult to see with the naked eye.”

Case Construction and Dimensions

The watch measures 32.5 mm in diameter, excluding the winding crown and the lugs. The case material is described by the dealer as nickel, with a notation that it was originally chromium plated.

According to the source, the case back is stamped 'Everbright', described as an early form of stainless steel used by West End since the 1930s. The front lens is listed in good condition, and the watch is fitted with a new leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 32.5mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the lugs.”
  • “The case is nickel, although it would originally have been chromium plated, while the case back is stamped Everbright, an early form of stainless steel used by West End since the 1930s.”
  • “The lens is in good condition.”
  • “A new leather strap has been fitted.”

Reported Movement and Dating Evidence

The dealer states that the watch is powered by a Swiss 15-jewel Vertex hand-winding movement reported to be in working order. Movement photographs and specific caliber numbers are not provided in the source documentation.

The period is classified in the listing metadata as 1940s antiques of Swiss origin, but specific serial numbers, production ledgers, or hallmarks are not recorded in this source to independently verify the production date.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a Swiss 15 jewel Vertex hand-winding movement which is working nicely.”
  • “Period 1940s Antiques”
  • “Origin Swiss”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber markings and serial numbers appear on the Vertex movement inside the case?
  • What reference or military issue markings, if any, are engraved on the inside or exterior of the Everbright case back?
  • Is the dial substrate composed of enamel or painted metal?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for West End Watch Company Matchless Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MovementSwiss 15 jewel Vertex hand-winding movement“The watch has a Swiss 15 jewel Vertex hand-winding movement”
Case Diameter32.5mm“The watch measures 32.5mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the lugs.”
Case MaterialNickel case with Everbright case back“The case is nickel, although it would originally have been chromium plated, while the case back is stamped Everbright”
HandsOriginal blued steel“Original blued steel hands.”
Case Back MarkingStamped Everbright“while the case back is stamped Everbright, an early form of stainless steel used by West End since the 1930s.”
StrapNew leather strap fitted“A new leather strap has been fitted.”
PackagingNew presentation box“The watch comes in a new presentation box.”

Visible details

  • White dial with bold Roman numerals and a small seconds register at 6 o'clock
  • Dial signed 'WEST END WATCH CO.' and 'MATCHLESS' in red lettering below 12 o'clock
  • Mounted on a textured black leather strap
  • Dial signed 'SWISS MADE' at the very bottom beneath 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back are not shown in the provided photograph
  • Source notes a faint hairline crack on the dial between 11 and 12
  • Seller states the case was originally chromium plated but now appears as nickel

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Gents 1940s West End Watch Company Matchless Wrist Watch as170a12330

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record be1597ed5d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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