A British WW1 period 1917-18 Silver cased hermetic trench style watch. An excellent example on a custom bund strap, in an oversized case diameter.
The British hallmarked Sterling Silver case is oversized at 35mm x 35mm. The main body of the case is solid, with wire lugs, with an inner case once the coin edge front is removed. The front section has a beautiful coin edge finish which is in very good condition. The thread is also in very good condition with it screwing down as it should. The case was manufactured by Louis Wengi who was a watch case maker located on Queen Victoria Street, in Clerkenwell, London.
The rear is in good condition with only light surface scratches and some tarnishing, as expected with age. The inside of the case back is in good condition. It has UK hallmarking for silver, from London assay office in 1917/18. The case has the makers mark LW for Louis Wengi of Clerkenwell.
The dial is enamel and is in very good condition. It is a classic enamel dial with very neat Roman Numerals. It has a sub-second dial at 6 O’clock. The railroad track around the exterior of the dial is clear and simple. It has a thicker line for each hour, whilst 9,12,3 and 6 have a diamond marker. The hour hand is of “spade” style, whilst the minute hand is of “Whip” style. They are both thermally blued.
The crystal is a replacement which is in very good condition. The crown appears to be original and has some wear to the plated finish.
The watch is on a new 12mm lug width genuine leather bund style military strap. The strap was made by David Boettcher. This was custom made for the watch.
The movement is a 15 jewel Swiss lever calibre, potentially by Revue. The service history is unknown, however the movement is in good condition keeping good time. It has a daily loss of -25 seconds, with an amplitude of 230 degrees and a beat error of 7.9m/s.
Full condition report below.
Postage:
International shipping available, but prices may be higher or lower, than £30 dependent on the country of destination and the value of the watch. A new quote will be provided upon purchase/request.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is enamel and is in very good condition. It is a classic enamel dial with very neat Roman Numerals. It has a sub-second dial at 6 O’clock. The railroad track around the exterior of the dial is clear and simple. It has a thicker line for each hour, whilst 9,12,3 and 6 have a diamond marker.
There are no fractures, major chips, or hairline fractures. There is one slight chip to the very edge of the dial. It is small and only visible on the edge when the bezel is removed.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in excellent condition. The hour hand is of “spade” style, whilst the minute hand is of “Whip” style. They are both thermally blued and are in excellent condition with no bending and very minimal variation in tone.
The sub second hand is also original and thermally blued, in excellent condition.
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement which is in very good condition.
Crown:
The crown appears to be original and has some wear to the plated finish.
Case:
Main body of the case is solid, with wire lugs, with an inner case once the coin edge front is removed. The front section has a beautiful coin edge finish which is in very good condition. The thread is also in very good condition with it screwing down as it should. The lugs are in good condition and aren’t bent.
Caseback:
The rear of the case is solid, with the inner case being exposed by un-screwing the front.
The rear is in good condition with only light surface scratches and some tarnishing, as expected with age. It is not dented.
The inside of the case back is in good condition. It has UK hallmarking for silver, from London assay office in 1917/18. The case has the makers mark LW for Louis Wengi of Clerkenwell.
Strap:
The watch is on a new 12mm lug width genuine leather bund style military strap. The strap was made by David Boettcher. This was custom made for the watch.
Movement:
The movement is a 15 jewel Swiss lever calibre, potentially by Revue.
The service history is unknown, however the movement is in good condition keeping good time. It has a daily loss of -25 seconds, with an amplitude of 230 degrees and a beat error of 7.9m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 35mm
Case width with crown: 36.7mm
Case length: 35mm
Case length lug to lug: 41mm
Case Depth: 10.5mm
Lug width: 12mm