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Here we have an uncommon example of a US WW1 issued trench watch. This is a circa 1918 Zenith trench watch which was issued to the US Signal Corps. It has the bright white enamel dial with the bold Arabic numerals with the luminous in-fill. It has the inner 24 hour numerals in red. The dial is signed below 12 with ‘Signal Corps’ and with ‘Zenith’ above the sub-dial at 6. The sub-second dial is inset and has the classic railroad track. The hands are of Cathedral style, with the thermally blued tone, and have the luminous in-fill to the centre.

The case measures 34.5mm and is formed of nickel, with the snap-on bezel and classic double hinged case back. It also has the fixed wire lugs. To the right is the original onion crown. The inside of the case is fully signed and the movement is the Zenith calibre NVS1 which has been recently serviced and is keeping very accurate time.

WW1 Issued watches

Military issued watches from the first world war are uncommon. The wristwatch was still relatively new to the mass market, with many preferring the size and robust nature of pocket watches. This carried over to the military issued pieces, with pocket watches still being the most common issued examples. Officers in the UK were expected to supply their own kit (including wristwatch), for which they received £50.

Wristwatches were issued to specific sections of military forces that would not be expected to purchase their own. These required accurate and easily accessible time keeping. In the British military, these were signallers, telegraphers or telephonists.

The need for wristwatches followed the same pattern as the UK in the US. The Signal Corps were a specialised military group, whose primary charge was also to handle communications. This included operating switchboards, taking photographs, managing aviation and even training the Army’s first combat pilots. At the time, the US Army’s Chief Signal Officer put out the call for a wristwatch to be designed specifically for the Signal Corps. Among the specifications was that the “workmanship and material throughout shall be first class” and that is should have a white enamel dial, with clear Arabic numerals.

Seven Swiss brands produced Signal Corps watches, including Zenith, Omega, Cyma, Tissot, Ulysse Nardin, Rode and Moser. Examples of these watches are uncommon. In terms of production, Zenith examples are the most plentiful, with Omega being one of the least common.

The watch

The dial is clean and legible, a vital aspect of the Chief Signal Officer’s specification. It is the bright white enamel tone with the dash minute markers to the exterior, with the thicker dashes for the 5-minute graduations. It has the bold Arabic numerals with the black outline, which are in-filled with the luminous paint. 12 o’clock is differentiated and stands out with the red outline. Inside of this is the 24-hour numerals which are in red. Below 12 o’clock is the ‘Signal Corps’ signing, with the well sized sub-second register at 6 o’clock. It is inset into the dial and has the classic railroad track. Above this is the curved ‘Zenith’ signing. The sub-second hand is original and has the thin design with lollipop counterbalance. The hands are of cathedral style with the thermally blued tone and luminous in-fill.

The case is well proportioned with a width of 34.5mm, with the onion crown taking the total width to 37.6mm. The case is 37mm in length with the central lug attachments and in total, 50mm lug tip to lug tip. The wire lugs have the 12.5mm width, which is classic for the era.

The case is formed of nickel and has the snap-on bezel with the double hinged case back. It has the central attachments for the lugs, with the wire loops passing through it and securing the strap. The bezel has a thin profile, which allows the dial maximum space. To the right-hand side is the large onion style crown, which is original.

The case back has the polished finish and seals tightly. When popped open, it reveals the Zenith name to the inside with the ‘Metal Blanc Garanti’ signing. It also has the serial number ‘4884483’ with the reference ‘5845’. The inner case also has the matching serial and reference signing.

The movement is the Zenith calibre NVS1 which is manual wind, with a jewel count of 15. It has the swan neck ratchet micro-regulator and the classic gilt finish. It has the serial number ‘2227401’ which dates it to 1918. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within +30 seconds variation per day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees.

The watch is presented on tapered leather strap with the patented ‘Streamline’ design deployment clasp no 847365 846971. This dates to the 1940s and is adjustable to any wrist size with the patented adjustable clasp.

The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.

Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.

A further condition report is below.

Dial:

The dial is enamel and is original. It is in good condition with no noticeable cracks or chips. The signing is clear to the dial. The luminous to the hour markers has worn.

Hands:

The hands are of cathedral style and have the luminous in-fill. The luminous appears a later replacement as the tone doesn’t match the hour markers.

Glass:

The mineral crystal is a replacement which is in very good condition.

Crown:

The crown is the original onion design and is in good condition, functioning well.

Case:

The bezel snaps on tightly and is in good condition with the bright polished tone. The case backs are in good condition and both seal tightly with the good hinges.

Strap:

Movement:

The movement is the Zenith calibre NVS1 which is manual wind, with a jewel count of 15. It has the swan neck ratchet micro-regulator and the classic gilt finish.

It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within +30 seconds variation per day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees.

Case dimensions

Case width: 34.5mm

Case width with crown: 37.6mm

Case length: 34mm

Case length lug to lug: 50mm

Case depth: 11mm

Lug width: 12.5mm