Baume & Co Francois Borgel Trench Watch

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  • Regular price $0.00


Style: Early Wristwatch, Military

Circa: 1914

Case: Solid sterling silver François Borgel two piece screw together dust proof/water resistant case with knurled bezel. Large onion crown winder, pin set. Hallmarked inside with the makers FB (key) mark, the London import mark, 925 (sterling silver) and the date letter 1914. High dome glass crystal. Measures 34.5mm diameter. 15mm strap.

Dial: Rare black enamel dial with gold numbers and sub-seconds at 6:00. Good condition with a few small hairlines which are very hard to see.

Movement: Excellent quality manual wind movement stamped Swiss made, 15 Jewels. Also stamped under the dial B&Co for Baume & Company. Recently serviced and in excellent working condition.

An early wristwatch from the first days of World War One (1914), this classic "trench" watch with rare black dial has a tangible military feel sporting its original deployment buckle & leather strap. Designed to handle the harsh realities of the front lines this highly inventive dustproof, water resistant 2 piece screw down case designed by François Borgel is still in wonderful condition. The high grade Swiss movement was imported to London by Baume & Co, famous for supplying military watches during the war era, most often with movements by the Longines Watch Company.  This movement is not a Longines caliber, but in my opinion of at least equal quality to the great Swiss manufacture. The time is set by depressing a pin located at 4:00. The extended "onion" shape crown made it easier for the soldier to wind the watch with gloves on. A rare and early military timepiece with an incredible sense of history.