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1910 WW1 / Trench Watch, Extraordinarily Elgin Rare Caliber 201, 19 Jewel.

About the Item

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. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. What an honor for Vintage Watch Corner. I will share one Actor name, Robert Di Niro! A couple of watches currently listed were used in the filming. 1900 Elgin rare 19 jewel WW1 / Trench Watch. Wow, that is a mouthful. It describes a Trench Watch that has Elgins finest 0 size movement they made, it is a Picasso! A rare treat for you to consider, not many have survived over the last 124 years! Folks, this is a rare case and high caliber movement to survive. Don't wait. They are getting harder and harder to source, especially this movement. I was very lucky to have found it. in 8 years on Etsy, this is my second one. The gear train is solid gold The center wheel is solid gold What an incredible offering. How about a Elgin Trench Watch with a military dial mated to a very rare trench watch case. These cases are getting harder and harder to find in extraordinary condition, Keep in mind many watch case from this era are close to 100 years young or more! To find a case this this, well let’s say I got very lucky. My good fortune is your gain. This is a 0 size movement, they are getting much harder to find complete movements today, parts are easy, but not the movements. 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, 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, some rare styles have Swing Lugs: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today’s watches. Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver / Nickel / Silverode or Gold Filled were used. This case lid snaps snug on the case. 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 *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, an English Manufacturer, Illinois, not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company, and 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. This movement was made in 1910. The Illinois case company was considered one of the best watch case manufactures in the watch world. This case is no exception. This is the rare highly sought after case that the case back snaps on tight as it should. This case is much heavier many ceases from the same time period. The lugs articulate as they should. The dial is a rare bold military with luminous markers! This movement was taken apart and fully service November 2023 The case measures: 34.5MM from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock 48MM from lug to lug Grade: 201 Manufacturer: Elgin Manufacturer Location: Elgin, Illinois Movement Serial Number: 14601113 Grade: 201 Model: 2 Class: 76 Estimated Production Year: 1910 Run Quantity: 1,000 Grade/Model Run: 4 of 5 Grade/Model Total Production: 5,000 Size: 0s Jewels: 19 Jewel Jewel Material: Ruby & Sapphire Jewel Setting: Raised Gold Settings Screw-Set Movement Configuration: Hunting Movement Finish: Nickel Movement Setting: Pendant Plate: 3/4 Plate Double Roller: Yes Barrel: Jeweled Safety Train: Quick Train Material: Gold Center Wheel Material: Gold Regulator: Moseley Hairspring: Breguet Standard Dial Type: Single-Sunk Adjusted: Yes Adjusted to Position: Yes Adjusted # of Positions: 2 Adjusted to Temperature: Yes Adjustment Tolerance: [23] 2P +/- 15 s/24hrs., Temp. +/- 10 s/16hrs., Reg. +/- 5 s/24h
  • Creator:
  • Strap Material:
    Leather
  • Case Shape:
    Round
  • Movement:
  • Case Dimensions:
    Width: 1.26 in (32 mm)Diameter: 1.26 in (32 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1910
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Comprehensive Mechanical Service Professional dial restoration Gentle hand polish on case. Polished. Replacements made: New open end watch band 12MM black NOS crystal. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Raleigh, NC
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3149222882972
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