Elgin Hermetic Trench / WW1

Creator: Elgin
Case Material: Gold-filled
Case Shape: Round
Case Dimensions: Width: 1.25 in (31.5 mm) Diameter: 1.25 in (31.5 mm)
Style: Art Deco
Place of Origin: United States
Period: 1920-1929
Date of Manufacture: 1920s
Condition: Good Repaired: NOS Crystal New Band Comprehensive tear down movement service Hand polished case Professionally refinished the dial New old stock hands. Replacements made: NOS Crystal New Band Comprehensive tear down movement service Hand polished case Professionally refinished the dial New old stock hands. Minor losses.


Here is another sublime offering from Vintage Watch Corner. While this could be called a ?Trench Watch" style, it a rare case. It is a ?Hermetic Case? (screw on bezel and case back) WW1 Trench Watch. It is very hard to come by in this condition, especially in yellow gold filled! There is ZERO wear through on this case. The lugs are heavy and it is a real beauty. 3-0 Hermetic cases are very hard to source. if you are a seasoned or new collector, and you don?t have this in your collection, think hard.


What makes this so unusual is the threaded bezel and case back, which is not common during this time period. Look how crisp the ?coin? bezel is, hardly any wear, this case was taken care of. The case is accented with a beautiful yellow onion crown positioned at 3 o?clock. What a conversation piece to own. This is a real treasure.


What exactly is a ?Trench Watch or World War1 Wrist Watch?


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 in to 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 like Depollier, 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 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: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today?s watches.


Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver / 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 (English Manufacturer) Keystone, Illinois , J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more
World War1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches.


It has the coveted military shadow box dial, this makes it more special.

This is a 3-0 size, the case measures the following:

Measuring from 10-4 o?clock: 32.20MM

Measuring with the crown: 36.10MM

The watch has a brand new black 14MM opened ended band with a yellow colored tang buckle

The movement specs are below:

Manufacturer: Elgin


The case has been gently hand polished to bring out the beauty of yellow gold filled finish.. This offering does not come up for sale too often. There are some to be found in Silverode, but not too many yellow gold filled in this condition!
I have completed this on the watch
NOS Crystal
New Band
Comprehensive tear down movement service
Hand polished case
Professionally refinished the dial
New old stock hands

This needs a good home. Will that be you? If you have any questions, please ask. If you need additional pictures, please ask.


The watch was recently serviced It has run 24 hours without issue since I have received it back.


Think hard about this one. I not sure when you will see another one for sale! I have seen about 5 in three years and I bought two of them!
My service does not end after the sale. I am here before and after to answer any questions of concerns that you may have. My little watch shop is only as good as I present it and back up what I offer. I am proud of what I offer and stand behind all my watches.

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