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Royal Red Cross Award Watch w/ Borgel Waterproof Case - Circa 1919 - SERVICED
| World War I saw the emergence of the wristwatch as a necessary addition to combat, not just a novelty worn by foppish European officers. Prior to this, wristwatches were worn primarily by women. Legend has it that the need to know what time it was at any instant forced one young German officer to tie his pocket watch to his wrist with cloth. From that awkward attempt, wire lugs were welded on small pocket watches, through which pigskin straps were laced. In addition to being an early "wristlet" probably made for the Great War effort, this extraordinary presentation timepiece happens to be housed in an early waterproof "Borgel" sterling case. Borgel was decades ahead of wristwatch development with his water-proof watch case design. The back of the case is solid: gently pull the spring loaded split stem and pumpkin crown, and one can unscrew the entire movement through the front of the watch. It is a brilliant design that re-emerged years later as a "futuristic" watch design. These cases are exceedingly rare and most desirable. Its solid porcelain dial, which is perfect and original, is ice-cream white and exquisite; as are its luminous, stylized Arabic numerals with a micro-graduated sub-seconds register, stained-glass hands and original "pumpkin" crown. Measuring approx. 38mm lug-to-lug and 34mm in diameter, the sterling case has a poignant inscription: "Presented by Royal Red Cross Society/to/Lieut. H.J. Beckett/in appreciation of valuable service voluntarily given/1919." The hand-engraving work of the inscription is a fine as we've seen. Delicate and gifted; the hand that engraved this watch was that of an artist. What became of Lieut. Beckett after "The Great War" has been lost to history. All that remains of his service to the war effort of the Royal Red Cross very well may be this timepiece. We've taken the liberty of cleaning, oiling and calibrating the watch so that one may wear it as a dependable timepiece. Please notice the two-part cordovan watch strap, which is our own faithful rendition of an original World War I watch strap, complete with a sterling silver "hand wrought" buckle. Often we're asked what constitutes a first tier gentlemen's work of wrist art; something that belongs on the wrist of someone equally special. This watch is such an example. |
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As many of our fine buyers and repeat clients know, each day we offer a smattering of things we've picked up here and there, many fine watches and pieces of jewelry that for one reason or another we'll not be offering on our Web site – some new old stock! Take a moment to look through our eBay offerings and bypass the estate and yard sale madness for watches and outstanding pieces of Victorian and Deco jewelry – many of which are running and pristine – that are ridiculously underpriced. Watches this week include a '20s ladies antique watch or two, '30s Deco pieces, a '40s military style wristwatch, and fine Retro stainless steel wristwatches that are representative of a style that’s becoming all the rage; as well as gold rings and vintage wire lug examples perfect for restoration. Coming up are sterling silver wristwatches and a few items dug out of the workbench drawer of a retired watchmaker or two. Don't know anything about wristwatches? Have no idea about your grandfather's railroad pocket watch? We're one of the Web's largest vintage wrist and pocket watch dealers and are delighted to answer any questions you have about the timepieces we offer or those heirlooms you're unsure of. We extend a heartfelt invitation to see our other offerings and stop by to find out what's next!
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