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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

West End Watch Company Sowar Prima Wristwatch

Partially verified

This mid-sized manual-wind wristwatch by the West End Watch Company is catalogued from the 1930s. The 29 mm stainless steel case is identified as Everbright, an alloy adopted by the maker in that era. According to the seller, an inner dust cover protects the hand-wound movement and bears markings for the Indian Civil Service, while the movement itself is signed with the maker's 'W' logo. The light-toned dial displays Arabic numerals, cathedral-style hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, with printed inscriptions for 'WEST END WATCH Co.', 'Sowar', 'PRIMA', and 'SWISS MADE'.

West End Watch Company Sowar Prima wristwatch on a black textured strap
West End Watch Company Sowar Prima wristwatch on a black textured strap — 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 wristwatch
Maker / attribution
West End Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a12419
Source-reported date
1930s
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

Case Construction

This mid-sized wristwatch measures 29 mm in diameter, excluding the crown and lugs. The case is constructed from Everbright, which the source describes as an early form of stainless steel utilized by the West End Watch Company since the 1930s.

The back of the watch is noted to feature the maker's logo. The seller indicates that an inner cover protects the movement and bears markings for the Indian Civil Service, though this component is not visible in the provided materials.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 29mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the lugs”
  • “The case is Everbright, an early form of stainless steel used by West End since the 1930s.”
  • “The back of the watch has the West End logo.”
  • “The movement is protected by an inner cover which has the markings for the Indian Civil Service.”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a dial signed 'West End Watch Co', 'Sowar', and 'PRIMA'. The dial is reported to be in its original finish.

The watch is fitted with original hands and a newly installed black leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is signed West End Watch Co, Sowar, Prima.”
  • “The dial is in its original finish with original hands.”
  • “A new black leather strap has been fitted.”

Mechanism and Provenance

The timepiece is powered by a hand-winding movement signed with the West End 'W' logo. The seller suggests a possible attribution to Lavina, though this is presented as a tentative, unverified detail.

According to the seller, the 'Sowar' name was registered for watches intended for the Indian and Far Eastern markets, while 'PRIMA' was applied to models designated as shockproof and waterproof.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a hand-winding movement, possibly by Lavina for West End”
  • “The movement is signed with the West End W logo.”
  • “The name Sowar was registered by the West End Watch Co for watches destined for India and the Far East.”
  • “The name Prima was added for the shockproof and waterproof models”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival documentation exists to confirm the business relationship between the West End Watch Company and the Indian Civil Service regarding watch procurement?
  • Are there verified records or catalog entries from the 1930s that confirm the technical definition of 'PRIMA' models regarding specific shockproof or waterproof mechanisms?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for West End Watch Company Sowar Prima Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case diameter29 mm excluding crown and lugs“The watch measures 29mm diameter excluding the winding crown and the lugs”
Case materialEverbright stainless steel“The case is Everbright, an early form of stainless steel used by West End since the 1930s.”
Dial inscriptionsWest End Watch Co, Sowar, Prima“The dial is signed West End Watch Co, Sowar, Prima.”
Inner cover markingsIndian Civil Service“The movement is protected by an inner cover which has the markings for the Indian Civil Service.”
OriginSwiss“Origin Swiss”
Case ConditionGood“The case is in good condition, just a scratches to the back.”
Accuracy+/- 2-3 minutes per 24 hours“accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours”

Visible details

  • Light cream-toned dial with Arabic numerals and an outer railroad minute track
  • Red-printed 'Sowar' script above center and red-printed 'PRIMA' above the sub-seconds register
  • Cathedral-style hour and minute hands with skeletonized apertures
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Flat, angular brushed stainless steel lugs fitted with a textured black leather strap
  • 'SWISS MADE' printed along the lower perimeter below 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber and inner dust cover with Indian Civil Service markings are hidden inside the case and not visible in the photograph
  • Attribution of the movement caliber to Lavina is noted by the seller as tentative and unverified

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - West End Watch Company Watch, Indian Civil Service as170a12419

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record e20d534d11

Terms in this record

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

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