This Elgin Trench Watch is Quite the Oddity

[literustyfan]

Hey guys !

I bought this Elgin Trench Watch for one reason, it had a very odd Swivel Lug configuration that I have not seen before.

Several of us on this forum are swivel lug super freaks and we simply can't lay off of them !

Very few American case manufacturers made cases that had swivel lugs during the Great War, but we can now add one more to that very short list.

This is one of those "NO-NAME" solid nickel cases that does not have a maker's mark on the inside of the case back.

But, through countless hours of research about a year ago I concluded that Wadsworth was in fact the manufacturer of these "NO-NAME" cases.

This is the ONLY one of it's kind that I've found as these cases have ALWAYS had fixed lugs, that is until now.

This watch is 100% original.

It still has the original date stamped metal dial that has factory drilled lum dots at the hour markers.

This dial has NOT been re-finished, original condition, metal dials usually do not age this well.

This dial was made on July 6, 1917.

The hands were manufactured in 1917 as well, the tell tale sign is the hour hand that has a round lum reservoir.

In 1918 Elgin changed the hour hand design so the lum reservoir had a rectangular shape.

Original factory crown on the case too boot !

This trench watch has what's called a "gilted" movement, golden in color, not nickel plated.

The movement serial number (19824761) dates back to 1917 as well, grade 442, size 3/0s, 7 jewels.

The case measures 44mm lug to lug, 31mm without the factory crown with a 10mm lug diameter.

New mainspring, new glass crystal, polished case, new black Bund Strap.

Take a look at the inside of this case, right in the center where the lug is attached, these are factory original swivel lugs, nothing has been altered.

And now for the WRIST SHOT ! ! ! !

[CHIP]

I like that and I would certainly wear it.

[GLADIATOR]

Hi Stan
Truly in my opinion one of your BEST posts - great Horology.
For example
Quote
"he hands were manufactured in 1917 as well, the tell tale sign is the hour hand that has a round lum reservoir.
In 1918 Elgin changed the hour hand design so the lum reservoir had a rectangular shape."
UNquote

OUTSTANDING research and info.
Price?

Regards
adam

[literustyfan]

Here is an advert that was in the 1917 Benjamin Allen Catalouge.

Look at the hour hand on the watch on the left, it has the round lum reservoir.



Here is a 1917 Elgin, same case manufacturer (Wadsworth) but a different case style.

This gives a very good look at the hour hand with the round lum reservoir.





This last picture shows how Elgin changed the shape of the lum reservoir in 1918, notice how it is not round any longer, it has a rectangle shape.

[GLADIATOR]

I (bow) again - TRULY GREAT HOROLOGY

[literustyfan]

Thank you very much ! ! !

It is tiny little details like this that let me know if a watch is 100% original and correct.

So often watches that are this old (96 years) have been altered over the decades.

Case style, dial date stamp, hand style and movement serial number are ALL 1917.

This one is the REAL DEAL ! ! ! !

[carl]

Gorgeous watch!

Actually, I like even better the one also with swivel lugs, that you made the olive drab strap for - and with the original 1918 clasp!

Cheers,
Carl

[GLADIATOR]

Yes, that WAS very cool.

[aerome]

Another great find! YOU have to be the Elgin expert!

[literustyfan]

Jan 27, 2013 20:29:01 GMT -6 carl said:

Gorgeous watch!

Actually, I like even better the one also with swivel lugs, that you made the olive drab strap for - and with the original 1918 clasp!

Cheers,
Carl

Carl,

Hand sewing those straps only takes me about an hour, the VERY difficult part is finding the original strap hardware.

I would LOVE to make more of them but I simply cannot find any hardware for them.

[literustyfan]

Jan 28, 2013 6:17:43 GMT -6 aerome said:

Another great find! YOU have to be the Elgin expert!

That is the BEST thing about watch hunting, finding something new that I have not seen before and documenting it for my book so the knowledge can be shared.

[GLADIATOR]

I agree Stan
"Teaching Others We Teach Ourselves"
Any news on a deal??
A

[CHIP]

How big is that? 32..34mm?

[literustyfan]

32mm on this one Chip.

They do range from 31mm up to 38mm.

[CHIP]

thanks Stan.

I think 38 is what I'd want. Wish they had a 40!