World War One

Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI

Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI
Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI

Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI

The case was made by Depolier Watch case company, this can be seen stamped on the side of the case. This is considered by many to have been the first true waterproof, water resistant watch, predating Rolex. The watch is in excellent overall condition, with the original submarine-hatch type crown and original black paint over the brass case. The original Elgin movement, serial number 20955732, dates to 1918, the last year of WWI.

It is 3/0 size, seven jewels. The movement is very clean.

Rubber seal appears original and seems in very good condition. Elgin produced 11,000 of these movements in 1918. There is some paint loss here and there to the painted brass case, as shown in the photos. Hands are original, with luminous still in place.

Glass crystal is good, likely original. Original Black Pershing dial is excellent and near perfect. The watch is in good running order and keeps the time. I would suggest it is time for a cleaning, however, as I have owned for over twenty years and do not recall having it serviced. Watch is fitted on to a nicely made period leather strap.

The watch case measures 38mm diameter without the crown, 42.5 with the crown secured. From what I have read, the round recess on the rear would have been filled with a slug of solid 24 karat gold. This was meant to transfer the wearer's body heat into the movement in order to keep the oil from thickening. The item "Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI" is in sale since Friday, October 28, 2016.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Wristwatches". The seller is "bobieye" and is located in Richmond, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Brand: ELGIN
  • Movement: Mechanical (Hand-winding)
  • Case Color: Black
  • Case Material: Brass
  • Face Color: Black
  • Band Color: Brown
  • Band Material: Genuine Leather
  • Case Size: 42.5mm
  • Lug Width: 16mm
  • Style: Diver
  • Year of Manufacture: Pre-1920
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Case Finish: Matte


Vintage wristwatch WWI dive watch vintage diver watch vintage military watch WWI