Vintage 1970s West End Watch Co. Sowar Prima – Red Bullseye Dial, Arabic Day and Date, Manual Wind Cal. W 83, 32 mm, With West End Box

A 32 mm stainless steel case with a striking red bullseye dial, a two-tone inner track, luminous hands and a bright yellow seconds hand, signed "West End Watch Co. – Sowar". A special detail for the Middle Eastern market: the day and date windows are in Arabic. It comes on a stainless steel expanding bracelet with a West End presentation box.

Brand heritage

The West End Watch Company was founded in 1886 by the Swiss watchmakers Arnold Amstutz and Constant Droz, who named it after the elegant West End of London and built their business in British India, with a base in Bombay. In 1934 West End became the first brand to adopt the Incabloc shock-protection system, and its watches earned a lasting reputation for toughness in hot, dusty climates.

Model history

During the First World War, British and Indian soldiers shipped out from Bombay to Mesopotamia were issued West End watches, and the brand created the "Sowar" model, meaning "cavalryman", in honour of the horsemen of the Indian Army. The brand also links the Sowar name to T. E. Lawrence, who is said to have worn West End watches during the war. The Sowar Prima went on to be one of the best-loved watches across India, the Middle East and the Gulf for decades.

Specifications

• Brand: West End Watch Co., Swiss made
• Model: Sowar Prima
• Era: 1970s
• Movement: mechanical, manual wind, Cal. W 83, 17 jewels
• Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds, day and date in Arabic
• Case: stainless steel, round, approx. 32 mm
• Case thickness: approx. 10 mm
• Caseback: screw-down
• Dial: red bullseye with two-tone inner track
• Bracelet: stainless steel expanding bracelet, 18 mm lugs
• Includes: West End box

Condition

Pre-owned, in very good vintage condition with light signs of wear consistent with age. The movement is running at the time of listing. Please review all photos carefully, including the movement photo, as they form part of the description.

Please note

Please study all photos carefully. They show the actual watch you will receive and form part of the description. As with any vintage watch, it is sold as a collectible, is not guaranteed water resistant, and its timekeeping may differ from a modern watch.

Shipping

Ships from Giza, Egypt, carefully packed, with tracking.

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US Customs: Nothing to Worry About
Import duties on our items are low and depend only on the item's price: usually about $25 to $60 depending on the piece, roughly 10% of its value, nowhere near the full price. We ship with DHL Express, which is known for fast and smooth customs clearance, and we have long experience shipping to the US, so we know how to keep the process easy for you. US buyers can order with confidence.