A Tale of Four Crowns (offset)

[GLADIATOR]

As my passion for early watches continues, I picked up my fourth 'offset' crown - this one using a Lepine movement with crown at 1.30.

Its an early 1916 ELGIN Trench Watch with Offset Crown

Excellent overall condition. This watch numbers among the earliest of American wristwatches.  Movement serial number 19150974 dating it to 1916

Fitted with a correct period handmade black leather  Saddlers 2 piece band, In 1918 all bands were handmade!

WW1 era Elgin 0 size “trench watch“, 15 jewel, ‘offset crown. 

Case by “Philadelphia Watch Case Co” with wire lugs, designed just for the band fitted. This is one of the very earliest Philadelphia offset cases, and strangely  there is NO SERIAL NUMBER to the case - quite unusual i think?.

Here You go - lovely condition, perfect white enamel dial with outer red seconds track.

Look at the case - NO Serial Number - Unusual?

Some of my other 'offsets' - 3 + 1 = 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - Watch and Pictures: Mark - TrenchwatchRestorations

[CHIP]

They are beautiful but so tiny! I WISH they made those in a 38 to 40mm case.

The red track certainly adds a nice touch to it. I like it.

[GLADIATOR]

yes, red track is very cool.

Those days 35mm was big, you can find 38mm.



on the wrist they look magnificent, you can not beat a white enamel dial with red.

I wore it today in the jewelers everyone commented

[CHIP]

I think I would wear a 35mm.



My old Omega Seamaster 30 was 34mm and I enjoyed wearing it.

[GLADIATOR]

Great. As this watch is:
Measures 32.4 mm excluding the crown, and 38.3 lug end to lug end

[yoss]

Are any of your "offset" watches for sale? Can you direct me to where I might find some? I have been looking for one forever because I hunt/shoot and want a watch skewed to I can tell what time it is when my left hand is holding my weapon. I wear my watches upside down and wish I had looked for this while I was in the army.

[Baco Noir]

Check with Stan at www.lrfantiquewatches.com/. He finds a restores a lot of old vintage watches from the late 1800's to early 1900's.

[yoss]

Thanks!

[CHIP]

yoss, welcome to WWF.



I have a question. Your account does not show as active and I cannot even click on your profile.



Since you have to me a member to post, I am just curious of what exactly is going on here.

[CHIP]

I figured it out.

Somehow I had this board and this board only set to where you do not have to be a member to post.

[GLADIATOR]

Mar 13, 2013 11:01:55 GMT -6 yoss said:

Are any of your "offset" watches for sale? Can you direct me to where I might find some? I have been looking for one forever because I hunt/shoot and want a watch skewed to I can tell what time it is when my left hand is holding my weapon. I wear my watches upside down and wish I had looked for this while I was in the army.

Hi Yoss
Thanks your interest.
No, none of mine are for sale
I am a Horologist and a collector.
These pieces are part of Horology, with MORe to come

Check out Ebay, or as Chip hinted!!  
Good Luck - READY to help!

[rxpete]

WOW! They are all beautiful. I'd love to own an enamel watch one day. The one reminds me of the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony, one of my favorite watches- that I'll never own, unless I hit the Lotto.

[GLADIATOR]

Thanks rxpete
For certain , if you want a lovely "enamel dial" watch, i can help below $300
Even $200 is possible - let me know?
for Vacheron - I agree, its IMpossible to own

Sad
Thanks for posting
A