Silver Borgel Cased Trench Watch, circa 1918

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Borgel cases occupy an important place in the development of the early wristwatch. Patented by Swiss case maker François Borgel in the late 19th century, his innovative screw-case construction offered improved protection against dust and moisture at a time when watches were increasingly moving from the pocket to the wrist. By the First World War, Borgel cases were being used for robust wristwatches whose practical construction made them particularly well suited to the demanding conditions of the period. What's on Offer We are delighted to offer for sale this striking silver Borgel-cased wristwatch , dating from approximately 1918 and representing the formative years of the purpose-built wristwatch. The watch is housed in a 35mm silver case, a substantial size for the period, with the characteristic rounded profile and finely coin-edged bezel associated with early Borgel-style cases. Wire lugs reinforce its unmistakably early 20th-century appearance, while the large fluted onion crown was designed to provide an easy grip. The black dial is the real focal point. The lumed Arabic numerals provide excellent contrast against the dark background, surrounded by a bold white railway-style minute track. The numerals have developed a warm, aged appearance that gives the watch tremendous period character. Openworked cathedral-style hands sit at the centre, while a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock features its own contrasting white track and numerals. Together, these details create the highly legible, functional appearance associated with wristwatches of the First World War era. The silver case shows the surface marks, scratches and patination expected of a watch more than a century old. Rather than detracting from it, these signs of use are very much part of the character of such an early surviving wristwatch. It is fitted to a brown leather strap, allowing this fascinating piece of early wristwatch history to remain entirely wearable today.