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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind trench-style wristwatch

West End Watch Company 'Matchless' Wristwatch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this antique Swiss wristwatch by West End Watch Company dates to the 1910s and was manufactured for the Indian Civil Service. The round case measures 32mm in diameter excluding the later winding crown and fixed wire lugs; originally plated, it has been polished back to brass, backed by a steel case back. The white enamel dial is inscribed 'WEST END WATCH CO.' and 'MATCHLESS' in red, featuring black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The seller reports an internal hand-winding movement signed with the maker's logo, enclosed by an inner cuvette marked for the Indian Civil Service.

Three-quarter front view of the West End Watch Company 'Matchless' wristwatch on a stand
Three-quarter front view of the West End Watch Company 'Matchless' wristwatch on a stand — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind trench-style wristwatch
Maker / attribution
West End Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a7559
Source-reported date
1910s
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 Hands

Visible features include a white enamel dial with black Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. The dial is inscribed with curved lettering 'WEST END WATCH CO.' above 'MATCHLESS' printed in red, and 'SWISS MADE' along the bottom edge.

Time is indicated by blued steel poire-style hands. The seller notes that while the enamel dial is signed, it has a couple of faint hairline cracks.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial featuring black Arabic hour numerals and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Brand lettering 'WEST END WATCH CO.' curved above 'MATCHLESS' printed in red.”
  • “The signed enamel dial has a couple of hairline cracks but they are faint.”

Case Construction and Components

The circular case measures 32mm in diameter, excluding the winding crown and fixed wire lugs. The seller reports that the case was originally plated but has been polished back to brass, and is fitted with a steel case back.

Multiple components are noted replacements in the listing. The fitted winding crown is described as later, the protective lens is described as a later replacement, and a new leather strap has been installed.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 32mm diameter excluding the later winding crown and the fixed wire lugs.”
  • “The case would have been plated originally but this has been polished back to brass at some point. The case back is steel.”
  • “The later lens is in good condition.”

Reported Movement and Markings

The movement is not visible in the listing photograph. The seller reports that the watch contains a hand-winding movement signed with the West End logo, and claims that it is in working order.

The seller also notes that the movement is protected by an inner cover marked for the Indian Civil Service, corresponding to their assertion that the watch was manufactured for that service.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a hand-winding movement, signed with the West End logo, which is working nicely.”
  • “The movement is protected by an inner cover which has the markings for the Indian Civil Service.”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement calibre or ebauche is fitted beneath the signed inner cover?
  • What exact wording or government property insignia are present on the inner cuvette referencing the Indian Civil Service?
  • What metal originally plated the brass case before it was polished down?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for West End Watch Company 'Matchless' Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement typeHand-winding“The watch has a hand-winding movement, signed with the West End logo”
Case diameter32mm“The watch measures 32mm diameter excluding the later winding crown and the fixed wire lugs.”
DialSigned enamel dial“The signed enamel dial has a couple of hairline cracks but they are faint.”
Service provenanceIndian Civil Service“wrist watch made for the Indian Civil Service.”
Period1910s“Period 1910s Antiques”
Case back materialSteel“The case back is steel.”
Lens statusLater replacement lens“The later lens is in good condition.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring black Arabic hour numerals and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
  • Brand lettering 'WEST END WATCH CO.' curved above 'MATCHLESS' printed in red.
  • Blued steel poire-style hour hand and long minute hand.
  • Circular polished brass-tone case equipped with fixed wire lugs and a fluted winding crown.
  • Marked 'SWISS MADE' along the bottom edge of the dial below the 6 o'clock position.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and inner case back markings for the Indian Civil Service are seller-reported and not visible in the photograph.
  • The winding crown, crystal lens, and leather strap are seller-noted replacements.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Antique West End Watch Company 'Matchless' Watch as170a7559

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e070b3bf8b

Terms in this record

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