Waltham 1917 WW1 / Trench Watch, 15 Jewels, Rare Hermetic Case

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• Details
  What an elegant and rare offering. I waited almost 13 months to finish this project. If you look up “Trench Watch” you might find a picture that would be a watch like this. If you are a collector or just starting, you might want to read more.
  
  Description. Waltham Swing Lug Hermetic, 15 Jewel Nickel cased Trench WW1 watch. That is a mouthful, but it accurately describes this offering
  
  
  Let’s start with what is under the hood! It is a 1912 Waltham 3/0 size (very hard to source) 15 jewel motor that has just be overhauled and cleaned.
  
  The 3/0 sized movements and watch cases are becoming much harder to source especially in excellent condition. It is much easier to source the 0 size cases and movements. This makes it more collectible.
  
  
  This dial is my favorite, it is quietly elegant, by the way this watch would look fabulous on a woman, it looks expensive and rare.
  
  
  The crown is period correct, a beautiful pumpkin styled, slightly oversized beauty.
  
  
  Period correct leather open ended black band
  
  
  Swing / Articulating Lugs, almost impossible to find today that are not badly damaged
  
  
  Illinois nickel case in amazing condition with NO wear through, very rare
  
  This is what I have touched on this offering:
  
  
  Completed tear down movement service
  
  
  New crystal
  
  
  New back open-ended watch band
  
  
  Dial and hands were refinished to factory specs
  
  
  Case was lightly hand polished
  
  
  Hermetic case: the case back and bezel screw on and off. This is very rare! I can’t remember I had one in yellow gold filled!
  
  
  The dial: What elegance. The shadow box military dial has been refinished and aged luminous material applied
  
  
  I am very proud of the offering. It is very hard to come by in this condition. Ponder this a minute. This watch is 107 years old. Look at the pictures very carefully. They will tell a far better story that I could possibly write. While the case has the usual tiny scratches and dents for “Gold Filled” it is a remarkable survivor.
  
  
  
  WW1 was between 1914 and 1917, this is a true Timepiece from a most turbulent time period. I took great efforts to keep this watch as close to original as possible. Many time sellers will offer a so-called WW1 watch with a movement dating to 1930’s, all they did was re-case the movement and they are passing it off as a WW1 watch, it is not, the style may be a Trench Watch, but the movement was from re-cased NOT from that same time period.
  
  
  
  This is truly a treasure; this is one of my best restorations. It can be challenging to waiting for parts to finish a watch. I sometimes wait months to find the right part, even it is a set a hands that are correct. It is that important to me.
  
  
  
  History about Trench Watches
  
  
  What is a “Trench Watch” ?
  
  
  
  They were created using 3/0 and 0 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases (as described below) to house the movement.
  
  
  
  So the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection. The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, Dennison, Philadelphia and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900's.
  
  
  
  The movements often came from women pocket watches because the wristwatch as we know was just being discovered. It is not uncommon to see various movements used in different cases, with various years. Remember the wristwatch was just being developed.
  
  
  They often have some of the following characteristics:
  
  
  Fixed or Wire Lug: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today’s watches.
  
  
  Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver (925) / Silverode or Gold Filled were used This is important to note as many cases were badly damaged by their owners over the past 100 years. This watch case has been taken care of throughout its 100 years, it is in remarkable shape) To find a swing Lug Hermetic case is truly a gem in the Trench Watch world!
  
  
  *For more practical purposes, a special alloy was developed which went by several different names, such as, "Silveroid, Silverore, Silverode or Silverine. "Silveroid" appears to have become the standard name for this metal that consisted of 45% nickel, 54% copper and 1% manganese. This metal was fairly hard wearing and could withstand the rigors of everyday use, for instance on the Railroads.
  
  
  Case Manufactures: There were many case manufacturers that made cases for Trench Watches. Some of the more well know were: Dennison (English Manufacturer) Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more
  
  
  WW1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches.
  
  
  The case measures 34MM
  
  
  
  If you are looking for a rare hard to find watch, perhaps this is it. Read my reviews, while I am not a prolific seller, I am transparent and responsive, it todays online world that is so important!
  
  
  GRADE: NO. 365
  
  
  (ALTERNATIVELY GRADE NO. 161)
  
  
  Manufacturer: Waltham
  
  Manufacturer Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
  
  
  Movement Serial Number: 21551705
  
  Grade: No. 365
  
  Model: 1907
  
  
  Estimated Production Year: 1917
  
  Run Quantity: 1,000
  
  
  Total Production: 298,949
  
  
  Size: 3/0s
  
  
  Jewels: 15 Jewel
  
  
  Movement Configuration: Hunting
  
  
  Movement Finish: Nickel
  
  
  Movement Setting: Pendant
  
  
  Plate: 3/4 Plate
  
  
  Hairspring: Breguet
  
  
  Adjusted: No
  
  
  Railroad Grade: No
  
  
  
  Please use the pictures as part of the description, ask as many questions as you would like. I am happy to send more pictures of add clarity that you made need. I ship every Wednesday, please keep that in mind when and if you make a purchase.
  
  As you can tell from some of my reviews, I am invested in my customers; you are much more than a transaction.
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