1919 Elgin Hermetic Trench Watch. Bold Red 12, with a “Solid Nickel Case"

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...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world-famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. What an honor for Vintage Watch Corner. I will share one Actor name, Robert Di Niro. This offering would of been perfect for the movie, it was not available at the time of the movies filming. As of three weeks ago I was picked up for another movie that was originally made in 1936, they are doing a remake. I am supplying the watches for that movie. Everyone once and awhile I get a treasure. This offering is originates from 1918, yes, that is correct 1918. There are several distinct characteristics that make this a real treasure to collect, keep reading if you are curious. The watches size is the special attribute. It is very hard to find 6 size wrist watches from the WW1 / Trench watch era. A genuine Bold Military dial that has been professionally refinished to its original status; this is the highlight of this listing. Luminous material has been applied. Don’t wait! Very hard to find an original WW1 Dial! This offering is super hard to find. You could wait years before another one comes up for sale. Take close notes, save the pictures, it will be a long time before you see another one. NOTE: To have a 6 size with a genuine WW1 / Trench watch dial is extraordinary. They are very difficult to find. This is the first one in about 10 years! For collectors who are reading this listing, they know how hard it is to find one in pristine condition. Let alone one with a higher caliber movement, 15 Jewels. The case measures approximately 40MM, unheard of during this era! Very Very Rare! I have gently hand polished this case with Simichrome, it is a polish that does wonders for silver, nickel, oresilver, silveroid etc. This watch was serviced November 2023. It runs beautifully as of this listing., It has a new crystal installed as well, I finished the watch with a 18MM black “Buffalo” leather open ended Trench Watch band with a stainless-steel buckle to match the case Please keep in mind the watches that are 100+ years young do not keep time like modern watches. The do not have modern seals to acts a s a dust or moisture barrier. Look at the pictures to compare against another watch. One has to know a bit of background to understand Trench / Wire Lug watches History about Trench Watches What is a “Trench Watch”? They were created using 3/0 and 0 size and very rarely 6 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 into 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, Philadelphia, Fays etc 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 (wrist 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, some rare style have Swing Lugs: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today’s watches. Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver {925} / Nickel / 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) Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more WW1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches. Grade: 295 Manufacturer: Elgin Manufacturer Location: Elgin, Illinois Movement Serial Number: 20427929 Grade: 295 Model: 2 Class: 115 Estimated Production Year: 1918 Run Quantity: 2,000 Total Production: 210,000 Size: 6 size Jewels: 15 Jewel Movement Configuration: Hunting Movement Finish: Nickel Movement Setting: Pendant Plate: 3/4 Plate Barrel: Going Train: Quick Regulator: Plain Hairspring: Breguet Escapement Type: Straight-line Adjusted: No Railroad Grade: No U.S. Patents: 77078 Data Research: 1904 Elgin...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. I have been an avid vintage watch collector for years. My soft spot is 1900-1935 American watches. I pride myself in offering the best quality and reasonable prices. Remember, "Price is what you pay, value is what you get". What a rare watch to offer. This is a most extraordinary watch to find. I have a solid gold one for sale by Cyma, a Sterling Silver from Eberhard as well. History of Marvin: Marvin is a classic watch-making brand steeped in the tradition of fine Swiss horology. It was founded over 150 years ago, in 1850 in Berne, Switzerland by the brothers Marc and Emmanuel Didisheim. The Marvin philosophy from 1850 to the today has always been to provide quality and fine finishing for reasonable prices. The founders embraced a non-elitist vision of watchmaking. To them, artful design, unquestionable quality, and obsession with detail were not incompatible with affordability. A philosophy that is mirrored in our offering of this vintage Marvin watch. For over 150 years, it has remained true to its founding principles of passion, daringness, strong ethics and humor. The Marvin brand is known for its tradition of beautiful and reliable time pieces, rich in style and history. Marvin quickly established itself as a brand that provided good design and quality finishing for reasonable money. Through the middle of the 20th century Marvin expanded and made a name for itself through motorsports sponsorship and celebrity “endorsements”. Both Marilyn Monroe and Che Guevara both wore Marvins, so you are in good company. The current modern Marvin lineup is geared towards affordable luxury, therefore whether you choose a vintage or modern Marvin, the philosophy remains the same. One cannot avoid in the passion and quest of learning and understanding the beginning of the wristwatch to bypass the story of the hermetic timepieces. “Sealed” pieces were first patented by Francois Borgel in 1891, and the semi hermetic were patented by Charles Rothen, an employee of Francois Borgel’s daughter who took over after her father died. The “fully hermetic” was originally believed to have been first patented by Jean Finger in 1921, but later it was found that it was preceded by Gruen some four years earlier (applied 1918/granted 1919). The final Rolex Oyster patent was originally patented by Perregaux and Perret on October 30, 1925, and bought by Hans Wilsdorf for the launch of the now famous Rolex Oyster in 1926. My first fully hermetic timepiece and probably the most “exotic” watch in my collection even today is my Waltham Dive Watch  This watch has been designed with swing lugs to help it fit the curvature  of the writs, another sophisticated design element of this watch Although this achieved the desired waterproof effect, it had an extra step in winding and setting the watch, the front bezel had to be unscrewed everyday so that the watch could be wound.  However, despite the design drawback, a number of manufacturers, produced watches using this case design, not many have survived It appears that Wilsdorf must have liked the design and bought the patent, because a Rolex watch called the “Hermetic” using this case design was produced from 1924, and similar designs from other manufacturers disappeared. And lest we forget, the Gruen identical patent (more or less), applied for in 1918, was granted 1919.  In January 1921 Jean Finger of Longeau, Berne, Switzerland, was granted Swiss patent number 89276 for a “Montre à remontoire avec boitier protecteur”—literally a watch with a protective box. The watch was placed inside a larger case with a screw-down bezel that formed a hermetic seal totally protecting the watch. Once the bezel was unscrewed, the smaller watchcase came out on a hinge to allow the hands to be set and the movement wound.  The watch was placed inside a larger case with a screw-down bezel that formed a hermetic seal totally protecting the watch. Once the bezel was unscrewed, the smaller watchcase came out on a hinge to allow the hands to be set and the movement wound. Rolex called the “Hermetic” using this case design was produced from 1924, and similar designs from other manufacturers disappeared. The dial is simply signed “Eberhard” and is MINT! The black script is nice and dark and the blued steel hands are immaculate and original, the also have been relumed.  I had this watch serviced by a European watch maker with 40 years of service, it runs fabulous as of this listing.  This watch is a very exotic piece that has significant historical relevance and thus very collectible The movement is signed Marvin and is a 15-jewel hand wound configuration with adjusted to 2 positions.  The case is .925 silver and is marked inside the case back FB, this is none other than Francis Borgel, one of the most venerable “Hermetic Trench Watch Case manufacturers of their day. They were considered to pinnacle of Hermetic Watch...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. I have been an avid vintage watch collector...

Welcome to Vintage Watch Corner. First my PSA: My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. Good day, let me introduce you to the Elgin “Art Deco...

Welcome to Vintage Watch Corner. First a PSA (Public Service Announcement) Vintage Watch Corner was selected as the Vintage watch source to supply “period” watches (1918-1926) for a major motion picture. This picture is being filmed in Oklahoma as we speak. It is a validation of the authenticity of my restorations. What a great looking Elgin. This watch is from the late 1930’s, It is Elgin’s answer to the “waterproof” watch. The crystal has a gasket between the case and crystal, the case back has a gasket between the movement retainer ring and the case back, that by the way threads on. I love the oversized crown; it adds a distinguished look to a “functional watch. This watch was targeted for the outdoors person who wanted a watch that could withstand the elements, hence multiple gaskets and oversized crown. I love the two tone dial. It has a golden minute...

Vintage Lord Elgin with rectangular 14k case on leather strap. With subseconds. Circa 1930s. Fine Pre-owned Elgin Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Elgin Lord Elgin watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1944 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 24mm X Width 37mm MOVEMEN...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 33mm Length X 14mm Diameter MOVEMENT / C...

FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson Jewelers STYLE / REFERENCE: Covered Trench Shrapnel / Campaign Series METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm x Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare example of a true trench watch was originally sold by the legendary house of J.W. Benson in London. Benson's were the jewelers to all the British...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion / Military Dial METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1919 DIMENS...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex / Marconi STYLE / REFERENCE: Hermetic METAL / MATERIAL: Chromium CIRCA: 1930's DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 29mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Breguet Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This very unique watch...