Watches with sterling silver cases

SkunkPrince · May 25, 2020

Early wire-lugged wrist watches were often made with sterling (0.925 fine) or coin (0.800 fine) cases. For watches produced for and during WWI, I would expect that they would have gone black, and this actually makes sense, because the black would be less reflective.

I would guess that the watches made after the war were most often kept polished?

Curious if anyone has any evidence of the common practice. My sterling-cased watch was polished when I received it, so I mostly keep it that way.

Deafboy · May 25, 2020

I'm no expert at this and others may correct me if I'm wrong, but my take is that 1) military issued watches were not sterling silver though people in the military may have had their own watches (some of which in silver). 2) Military issued watches had a black case. This doesn't answer your query though... 😬

OTOH, this post war advertisement might. The cases sure look dark to me!

ConElPueblo · May 25, 2020

I would say that darkened equipment probably wasn't a great concern during that era. Look at how brass buttons, insignia, etc. were kept shiny during wartime. I would fully expect that the soldiers had the polish of their gear scrutinised regularly.

Deafboy · May 25, 2020

ConElPueblo
I would say that darkened equipment probably wasn't a great concern during that era.

Maybe so but watches during WWI for American servicemen had a requirement for the case to be dull black. Note section "e".

Deafboy · May 25, 2020

We need a watch pic!

SkunkPrince · May 25, 2020

I have one of those in the "Foch" case, but most of the paint is worn off. You can still see it in the case-back and between the lugs.

It came to me with remnants of lume in the hands and the numerals, so I had that replaced during service.

Canuck · May 25, 2020

Sterling or coin silver cases did tarnish when not worn, but the tarnish wore off if the watch was worn. Chance exposure to fabrics acted as a polishing medium. So I wouldn’t think a silver cased watch was a particularly great advantage to someone who was trying to remain hidden. I think a gun metal case which is black and remains black, would be better.

ConElPueblo · May 25, 2020

Deafboy
Maybe so but watches during WWI for American servicemen had a requirement for the case to be dull black. Note section "e".

That's a fantastic document! 👍

I wonder what rank/function you'd need to have before being issued a watch by the military at that time.

SkunkPrince · May 25, 2020

ConElPueblo
That's a fantastic document! 👍

I wonder what rank/function you'd need to have before being issued a watch by the military at that time.

Signal Corps issued them.

The Elgin "Foch" was still in the ordnance system at the start of WWII and they were listed in TM 9-575, Auxiliary Fire-Control Instruments (Field Glasses, Eyeglasses, Telescopes, and Watches). They were issued in WWI and many stayed in the ordnance system. There was a similar watch, 15 jewels, also supplied by Elgin, which I am not sure were WWI issued but at least were part of the ordnance system in early WWII.

So at least one answer to your question seems to be "field artillery".

SkunkPrince · May 25, 2020

Something else to notice about that standard, it evolved. You do see watches that had white dials, lume plots added, and hands with traces of lume on them. By the end of the war, the star dial Elgin (sometimes referred to as "Pershing", but that was a post-war reference to a specific style of case) came with a black dial, luminous numerals, and luminous hands.

Deafboy · May 25, 2020

SkunkPrince
The Elgin "Foch" was still in the ordnance system at the start of WWII and they were listed in TM 9-575, Auxiliary Fire-Control Instruments (Field Glasses, Eyeglasses, Telescopes, and Watches).

Picture for posterity!

JwRosenthal · May 25, 2020

I’m following this thread with great interest. WWII+ are all pretty common knowledge but WWI is really vague it seems. I picked up a “Kitchener” sterling watch that was sold by Birks (made by Longines I believe) in Canada for which I have seen advertising as a “luxury” item to purchase- typically assumed to be officers watches as they weren’t cheap. I always assumed watches were purchased by the serviceman during WWI but the above shows it as equipment for certain work.

Deafboy · May 25, 2020

JwRosenthal
I picked up a “Kitchener” sterling watch that was sold by Birks (made by Longines I believe) in Canada

I would like to see that! Do you have a picture?

TexOmega · May 25, 2020

My Omega circa 1916 with Sterling Silver case, 15j movement adjusted 2 positions.

it blackened within a few weeks, so I leave it as is.

JwRosenthal · May 25, 2020

Deafboy
I would like to see that! Do you have a picture?

SkunkPrince · May 26, 2020

That strap on the seven-jewel Elgin I believe to be the same as came on wrist compasses of WWII and have been trying to find one. Mine lives on a nylon strap for now.

JwRosenthal · May 26, 2020

SkunkPrince
That strap on the seven-jewel Elgin I believe to be the same as came on wrist compasses of WWII and have been trying to find one. Mine lives on a nylon strap for now.

I have been looking at those wrist compasses for years and wanted to buy one for the strap...but just can’t justify spending that for a fabric strap. May have to bite the bullet

Watches with sterling silver cases

SkunkPrince

Deafboy

ConElPueblo

Deafboy

Deafboy

SkunkPrince

Canuck

ConElPueblo

SkunkPrince

SkunkPrince

Deafboy

JwRosenthal

Deafboy

TexOmega

JwRosenthal

SkunkPrince

JwRosenthal

Similar threads

Sterling silver omega box

Sterling silver broad arrow "LIFT" Bonklip

Picked up a vintage sterling silver trench watch… Doxa?

OMEGA caliber 40.6L Pocket Watch 1925 Sterling Silver Case Plus Zenith Movement

Sterling silver Longines tank w/original strap and buckle

WALTHAM Pocket Watch circa 1892 Sterling Silver English Case