STUNNING Men's WWI Era Sterling Silver Illinois Wire Lug Wrist Watch SERVICED
Voted Forbes magazine's "Best of the Web" consecutively since 2000. STUNNING Men's WWI Era Sterling Silver Illinois Wire Lug Wrist Watch - SERVICED. While there is much to lament about World War I, it did begin through harsh necessity and sheer convenience the widespread use of the modern wristwatch as we know it. Prior to World War I, wristwatches or wristlet watches were primarily worn by women as novelties or fashion statements.
During the very early 20th century, the idea of a man wearing a watch strapped to his wrist would have been considered odd or effeminate. The late Victorian era and art nouveau periods would have seen women experimenting with tiny pocket watches held to their wrists by ribbons or clumsy leather holders.During World War I, soldiers found carrying a pocket watch to be increasingly cumbersome even dangerous during combat. There are several theories about how the practice of wearing a wristwatch "leapt" from the habit of women to men during this period. Some have theorized soldiers began strapping pocket watches to their wrists with handkerchiefs to eliminate the need of fumbling through their uniforms to fish out a pocket watch for the time. Others feel resourceful doughboys observed women wearing wristlet watches and adopted the practice themselves. Still others point to Russian sailors who wore round "marble" watches on bracelets as the birth of the wristlet watch.
What a privilege it is to offer such a fine example of an early 20th century "trench" or "wristlet" timepiece! The watch, manufactured around 1918 by the Illinois watch company, is nothing less than wrist art. Its handsome minimalist cushion case, fashion from solid sterling silver, features fixed lugs, period glass crystal and an original pumpkin crown. Stained-glass hands are correct and exceedingly handsome, as is its properly restored dial. At 40 mm lug to lug by 32 mm wide; the piece has excellent heft, proper balance, and an eye catching wrist stance.
On the back you will find attractive, period hand-engraving that reads: Emil F. Likely indicating the was worn in Europe and carried during the latter part of the first world war. Snap open this tight fitting back and you will find a triumph of American horological engineering and one of the crowning achievements of Illinois' early wristwatches: a beautiful, high-grade, ruby jeweled mechanism; cleaned, oiled, calibrated and keeping time as it did nearly 100 years ago. Rounding out the appeal of the piece is an historically accurate two-piece black cordovan strap and matching sterling buckle. Perhaps you're fascinated by early 20th century history or World War I in particular; perhaps the thought of having everyone admire a vintage timepiece on your wrist excites you.
Whatever the reason, if it's a classic look and well-built elegance you crave, you found it! As many of our fine buyers and repeat clients know, each day we offer a smattering of things we've picked up here and there, many fine watches and pieces of jewelry that for one reason or another we'll not be offering on our Web site some new old stock!
Watches this week include a'20s ladies antique watch or two,'30s Deco pieces, a'40s military style wristwatch, and fine Retro stainless steel wristwatches that are representative of a style thats becoming all the rage; as well as gold rings and vintage wire lug examples perfect for restoration. Coming up are sterling silver wristwatches and a few items dug out of the workbench drawer of a retired watchmaker or two. Don't know anything about wristwatches? Have no idea about your grandfather's railroad pocket watch?We're one of the Web's largest vintage wrist and pocket watch dealers and are delighted to answer any questions you have about the timepieces we offer or those heirlooms you're unsure of. We extend a heartfelt invitation to see our other offerings and stop by to find out what's next! You may reach us Monday through Saturday from 10 a. We take great pride in our images and item descriptions and are careful to note as much about an item as we can. If you have a question or would like to see the image of an item at another angle, we are happy to accommodate you.
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The item "STUNNING Men's WWI Era Sterling Silver Illinois Wire Lug Wrist Watch SERVICED" is in sale since Wednesday, April 05, 2017. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Wristwatches". The seller is "strickland_vintage_watches" and is located in Tampa, Florida.This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Brand: Illinois
- Gender: Men's
- Features: Serviced!
- Movement: Mechanical
- Band Material: Cordovan Leather
- Style: Luxury: Dress Styles
- Serial Number: 3235718
- Age: Antique (pre 1920)
- Type: Luxury