World War I (WW1) Borgel Water/Dust Resistant Screw front Wrist Watch

Sterling Silver round Shaped Case 34mm in Near Mint Condition, really unbelievable for 1914

This is a WWI trench watch, a Francois Borgel designed model that dates to mid 1910s. Francois Borgel of Geneva registered his "marque de fabrique" or makers mark, in Geneva in March 1887. He patented his famous watch case design on 28 October 1891 with the Swiss "Brevet" or Patent, number 4001, and in the UK on 24th November 1891 under Patent number 20,422.

This was the first real attempt at a wristwatch case specifically designed to be dustproof and watertight. The secret of the Borgel case is its two-pieces, in which the entire movement and dial were held in a ring secured to a milled bezel. This assembly screws into the back section of the case, a threaded, single round form that takes the place of the case center and back lid. Because the movement is attached to the bezel, the winding stem comes through the side of the case and is permanently attached. Pulling out the winding button releases the stem clutch, rather than setting the hands as on other watches. To overcome this obstacle, Baumgartner reverted to a “nail set” system, using a separate pin just below the winding crown.

The original white, with RED 12, porcelain enamel dial is in excellent condition and without flaw .

The crystal is in excellent, clear condition. The milled edge bezel is sterling silver and threads properly, nice and tight. The body of the watch is .925 grade sterling as well, in excellent condition and shiny. The (brass) Onion-style winding crown is in excellent shape and winds smoothly. I have seen many original Swiss trench watches with brass colored crowns and I strongly believe this to be original. To set the time, you press the pin below the crown IN with your fingernail and move the crown to adjust the hands. Brand new black, specially fitted leather band to the fixed lugs, makes this 100+ year old watch ready to wear.

 PRICE:   includes USPS Priority Mail/Insured with tracking.  International shipping at actual cost, all customs fees are responsibility of buyer. 

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