1917 Waltham Super Rare Solid 14 Karat Yellow Depollier Gold Case and Cuff Trench Watch

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$2,271.00

• Details
  Let me introduce you to a hard to find treasure. 1917, the start of WW1, Waltham was making watches for our “Doughboys” to better equip themselves. This has a hidden characteristic that many people will miss. This is the only one I have offered in 20 years of collecting and restoring. Read On for more…….
  
  
  My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. Since that introduction into the film industry, I supplied watches for a remake of a classic that is being finished up as we speak. This movie was honored with 10 Academy Award nominations. Killers of The Flower Moon”
  
  
  I have been an avid vintage watch collector for years. My soft spot is 1900-1935 American watches. with a particular focus on Trench Watches. would,you consider yourself a novice, part time collector or serious collector? when you look at this watch what is absent ?
  
  This offering is the only one I had for sale in 20 plus years. Let me break it down for you. if you are a casual Trench Watch collector or serious one, you will,want to pay close attention to the specifics of this listing, it will perk your vintage watch curiosity.
  
  Waltham 3/0 15 Jewel, produced in 1917
  
  Stunning cleaned and resumed Military Shadow Box Military Dial and Luminous Hands.
  
  Waltham movement was taken apart, cleaned and careful put back together to ensure proper operation.
  
  Solid 14 karat yellow gold “Depollier & Sons” 3/0 Trench Watch Case ( see stamp for hallmark)
  
  Solid 14 karat yellow gold ( acid tested) hand made Trench Watch Cuff bracelet with sliding keeper
  
  New Crystal Installed
  
  
  The ones that I do not wear very much get sold for other watches that may be hard to find. All my watches for sale are in above average condition, some are pristine.
  
  
  I pride myself in offering the best quality and reasonable prices. Remember, "Price is what you pay, value is what you
  
  
  1917 The US had been in WW1 for 3 years ! This is a marvelous example of a Trench Watch or what is also known as a WW1 watch worn by the Doughboys of WW1. This is a higher caliber 15 jewel
  
  
  Look at the inside case back, see how it has 14K stamped on it, this helps identified this as a genuine model. This is a solid 14 karat yelllw gold case, Have you figured out what is different as compared to most Waltham Shadow Box Numbered Dials. Could this watch been for an officer since solid gold was used to craft this warch.
  
  The case measures approximately 32MM wide
  
  
  The 3/0 movement has been serviced. The size of this movement is getting harder to find. The more common 0 size are much easier to find, just another feature about this watch that makes it special
  
  
  
  This model is referred as the Military WW1 watch with a beautiful “Shadow Box” military dial. This dial style is the traditional configuration for WW1 watch designs.
  
  
  Let me share what I know about Trench watches and how they came about. Trench watches were a result of a need in ingenuity in watch making.
  
  
  You see, trench watches were ladies pocket movements repackaged into watch cases that had fixed wire lugs that leather band / strap threaded through the back
  
  
  The usual watch movement sizes that were used were 3/0 and 0 sizes. Then within those movement sizes were the jewel counts. The 7 jeweled movements was the most prolific WW1 movement manufactured in numbers. The movements had serial numbers that would enable the consumer to track its production date, production quantity and specification. This watch dates to 1917 through its movement serial number.
  
  
  Movement manufacturers: the American manufactures were Waltham, Elgin, Illinois and Hamilton. Waltham and Elgin being the two manufactures who produced the most quantity. Illinois had a short lived history that was distinguished in the watch world.
  
  
  Here is where the creative thought comes into play. In the early 1910’s the independent jeweler would place an order for a movement, that movement order would be dependent upon social position of the potential buyer. If he was middle class they might order a 7 jewel movement and have it installed in a white or yellow gold filled. If they came from money, they might of order a 17 or 19 jeweled movement and install it in a solid gold case. This approach was the genesis of the wrist watch today.
  
  
  It is not uncommon to see the same watch movement in a gold filled case, sterling silver case or solid gold case. The case manufactures were Dennison, Philadelphia, Keystone, Wadsworth, BB Royal to name a few. This was the beginning of wrist watches.
  
  
  Take a close look at the watch. This is the first time I have ever offered a Military Shadow Box Dial WITHOUT a second hand. I have never had one before.
  
  
  For those “Trench Watch” collectors, a Depollier and Son watch case is a true treasure to find, especially is good condition without the hinge broken, dents in the case, lugs worn terrible thin, the list of ailments plaguing this watch case is endless as its 85-100 year age takes their toll.
  
  What I have for sale is a ……solid 14 KARAT YELLOW GOLD Depollier and Son Waltham Riverside 21 jewel Trench Watch. This type of watch does not come up for sale anywhere. When was the last time you saw a solid 14 karat yellow gold Depollier and Son Trench Watch Case on the market. Let alone with one of Walthams highest grade movements of its era. This would be a real treasure to own.
  
  How rare is this watch? Google Waltham Depollier and Sons solid 14 karat yellow gold with a 21 Jewel Riverside movement. I bet you find zero because they are that rare.
  
  
  Depollier and Son cases had top-quality design elements that made them desirable Depollier cases were available in nickel, sterling silver, 14k Solid Gold, 18k solid gold and platinum. Many sterling silver and gold trench watches cases sold during WWI were light weight and not made very well. They were considered at the time and today a coveted manufacturer to have because of the design and build quality. They are very hard to source is good condition. It is remarkable that this has survived so many melt periods of the years.
  
  
  
  I have taken close up pictures of the “Depollier and Sons and 14K stamps on the case back.
  
  It runs beautifully at the time of this listing, as matter of fact 23 hours and still ticking. This most likely will need to be serviced. It winds smoothly and sets without issue. It is hard to think of this watch being 100 years old. The crystal has some delicate surface scratches out. I point these little flaws out for accuracy. Please do not think this watch is like new. It is after all 100 years old.
  
  I am a member of NAWCC and pride myself of occasionally offering some interesting times pieces from a by-gone era. This is one amazing watch!
  
  
  Grade: No. 365
  
  
  Manufacturer: Waltham
  
  
  Manufacturer Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
  
  
  Movement Serial Number: 21048100
  
  
  Grade: No. 365
  
  
  Model: 1907
  
  
  Estimated Production Year: 1917
  
  
  Run Quantity: 1,000
  
  
  Grade/Model Run: 26 of 88
  
  
  Grade/Model 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
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