A Beautiful 18k Gold Trench Watch with an Elegant Roman Numeral Dial and Onion Crown, c.1920s

Trench-style watches are modern tributes to a formative era in both military history and horology, echoing the rugged design language born out of the First World War. Their origins trace back to the muddy trenches of the Western Front, where traditional pocket watches proved impractical in the fast-paced and brutal conditions of industrial warfare. Soldiers—particularly officers—required timepieces that were not only accurate but also quickly accessible and durable under extreme conditions.

What's on offer

This trench-style wristwatch, possibly crafted in the 1920s or even before, is an authentic example of a time piece from the era, combining precision Swiss craftsmanship with the utilitarian needs. Originally designed during the Great War, this timepiece reflects the no-nonsense design of the original period—functional, durable, and designed for optimal readability in the field.

The watch is encased in a round 18-karat gold case, which provides both a touch of elegance and the strength necessary for daily use originally. The case measures 32mm with a 12mm lug width and features soldered wire lugs, ensuring a secure fit with the brown leather adjustable strap—a material and construction choice also synonymous with military issued watches of the period.

The gold-coloured dial is characterised by its anonymous design, meaning it lacks any visible brand name or logo—a feature often found on this style of watch from this period. The dial is marked with Roman numeral hour markers, while the blackened hands provide a strong contrast against the gold. The dial is encapsulated underneath a shatterproof acrylic crystal. 

The caseback is engraved with the initials "MB", likely signifying a marking from the original owner. 

In terms of condition, the watch remains in fairly good vintage condition with only the minimal signs of wear we would certainly expect to see on a watch of this age. 

NB: This watch is offered for sale as seen, as the watches service history is unknown and we are selling it on behalf of a watch collector's family who have asked us to help sell an entire collection. As there are quite a few watches to dispose of, the clients do not wish to spend unnecessary money on servicing each watch before its sold so we have priced the watch to reflect it being sold un-serviced and without a warranty but a service can be arranged with our watchmaker at an additional cost if you wish. Once you have made the purchase please add a note when placing it in your basket and we will contact you to discuss this. Once serviced the watch will be given a 12-month warranty.