STRICKLAND VINTAGE WATCHES

WWI Era Sterling Silver Cushion Shaped Illinois Trench Wristwatch - SERVICED

While there is much to lament about World War I, it did begin through harsh necessity and sheer convenience the widespread use of the modern wristwatch as we know it. Prior to World War I, wristwatches or wristlet watches were primarily worn by women as novelties or fashion statements; or by men in very limited circumstances. During the very early 20th century, the idea of a man wearing a watch strapped to his wrist would have been considered odd or effeminate. The late Victorian era and art nouveau periods would have seen women experimenting with tiny pocket watches held to their wrists by ribbons or clumsy leather holders. 

During World War I, soldiers found carrying a pocket watch to be increasingly cumbersome and dangerous during combat. There are several theories about how the practice of wearing a wristwatch accelerated during this period. Some have theorized soldiers began strapping pocket watches to their wrists with handkerchiefs to eliminate the need of fumbling through their uniforms to fish out a pocket watch for the time. Others feel resourceful doughboys observed women wearing wristlet watches and adopted the practice themselves. Still others point to Russian sailors who wore round "marble" watches on bracelets as the birth of the wristlet watch, or certain athletes and soldiers with very early iterations of a wristlet watch. While the exact dynamic is not clear, the result is: by the end of WWI, the wristwatch was becoming increasingly ubiquitous. 

What a privilege it is to offer such a fine example of an early 20th century "trench" or "wristlet" timepiece! The watch, manufactured around 1914 by the Illinois watch company, is nothing less than wrist art. 

Its handsome minimalist cushion case, fashioned from solid sterling silver, features fixed lugs, period glass crystal and an original pumpkin crown. Stained-glass hands are correct and exceedingly handsome, as is its properly restored dial. At 43 mm lug to lug by 32 mm wide; the piece has excellent heft, proper balance, and an eye catching wrist stance. 

 Snap open this tight fitting back and you will find a triumph of American horological engineering and one of the crowning achievements of Illinois' early wristwatches: a beautiful, high-grade, 11 ruby jeweled mechanism; cleaned, oiled, calibrated and keeping time as it did nearly 100 years ago. 

Rounding out the appeal of the piece is an historically accurate two-piece black cordovan strap and matching sterling buckle. Created in-house and custom fitted to each watch, the straps are only available on watches purchased from Strickland vintage watches. 

Perhaps you're fascinated by early 20th century history or World War I in particular; perhaps the thought of having everyone admire a vintage timepiece on your wrist excites you. Whatever the reason, if it's a classic look and well-built elegance you crave, you found it!

ABOUT US: For those of you who may not know us, we at STRICKLAND VINTAGE WATCHES travel extensively, purchasing watches for our clients (for more about who we are, please click on "Me" above). Featured as Forbes magazine's "Best of the Web" honoree consecutively since 2000 for timepieces, we're committed to bringing the best, the rarest, the cleanest examples of old wrist and pocket watches to clients around the world. 

SHIPPING:  All bidders to pay actual shipping costs. If there is a handling fee listed, that is for insurance. We are happy to combine shipping on multiple items. For items shipped within the United States, we ship either via USPS. Priority Mail with signature confirmation on items under $1,000. FedEx two-day shipping for items more than $1,000.  

INTERNATIONAL buyers must email us at the end of the auction so that we may calculate shipping costs and determine the method of shipping. Lower priced items (under $250), must be sent via online TRACKABLE shipping via USPS Priority International Mail. Items over $250 must be shipped via Federal Express, because it requires a signature. We MUST and WILL adhere to your country’s customs rules and regulations. If the item is not allowed via USPS, we must ship via Federal Express. Because of the unpredictable nature of today's mail, we cannot be held responsible for items lost or damaged by the post office or lost or held up in customs agencies and so require postal insurance for ALL overseas items. WE WILL NOT FALSIFY CUSTOMS FORMS. ALL CUSTOMS FEES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER. Your purchase acknowledges that you understand these policies. 

FLORIDA RESIDENTS will be charged an additional 7.5% for sales tax. 

CONTACT US: You may reach us - STRICKLAND VINTAGE WATCHES - Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST) 

TERMS OF SALE: We take great pride in our images and item descriptions and are careful to note as much about an item as we can. We do not sell items on approval; therefore, all items we sell on eBay are sold AS IS and all sales are final. If you have a question or would like to see the image of an item at another angle, we are happy to accommodate you. Please check our feedback; we try to be as accommodating as possible. WE WILL NOT GIVE PARTIAL REFUNDS! 

Strickland Vintage Watches is a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and have been honored as one of Forbes magazine's "Best of the Web" in timepieces, and have been on eBay since 1998. We invite you to find out more about us by clicking on our ME page!