Here we have a very interesting an early piece of military watch history. This is a circa 1900s JH Steward, Strand, London fob watch, which is set within a leather wristlet conversion, with the registered design 217622. The fob is a nickel case which has the clear enamel dial with the Roman numeral hour markers, retailer signing and sub-second dial at 6. The hands have a beautiful design with the bright thermally blued tone. It has the double hinged case back which opens to expose the Eterna calibre which is manually wound with a jewel count of 15. It has been recently serviced and is running well. 
 
This wristlet came from a collection with a JH Steward WW1 period ‘Orilux’ trench torch. This comes with the watch as it would be wrong to separate them! It even has an EveryReady dry battery which appears to be original. It is held within its original leather case which is in very good condition. The bulb also still works, with the use of an AA battery against the wires.
 
Founded in 1852, J.H. Steward was an optician and scientific instrument maker, particularly those with military applications. The business operated at 406 Strand in London from 1856-1975. 
Products from J.H. Steward were widely used by the British Army, with instruments like compasses, telescopes and rangefinders of major importance. 
 
JH Steward offered early wristlets to fit with his military audience. The company produced the ‘Orilux’ trench torch from the WW1 which was a lasting design, with newer variations used during WW2. 
 
The leather wristlet strap has the signing to the rear ‘RD 217622’. The design was registered on the 2nd of September 1893. Registered by Arthur Garstin it represented an early patent of a wristlet for converting fob watches into wristwatches.
Arthur Garstin established his business as a manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of leather goods in 1870. The registration of the RD 217622 demonstrated that by 1893 there was sufficient demand for leather straps to accommodate pocket/fob watches. This indicates the origins of such practice was earlier than first expected.
 
Overall this is an interesting set for a collector, combining multiple pieces of WW1 period military history from JH Steward. 
 
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The enamel dial is original and is a bright white tone. The signing is good and clear. There is a faint hairline from the centre, towards 3 O’clock. 
 
Hands:
The hands are in good original and have the bright thermally blued finish. It has developed a slightly purple tone.
 
Glass:
The glass is original and has light marking associated with age.
 
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light surface scratching. 
 
Case:
The case is formed of nickel and is in good condition with only light marking. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of nickel and has some corrosion spots associated with age, as well as light scratching. The hinges to both backs are good and the backs seal tightly.
 
Strap:
The watch is on its original wristlet conversion from the period. The leather is soft. There are some tears to the strap where the holes are located, and the strap has thinned. 
 
Movement:
The movement is an Eterna calibre which is manually wound with pin set. It has a jewel count of 15. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within 1 minute a day. It has an amplitude of 320 degrees and a beat error of 1.0 m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 35.15mm
Case length: 35.15mm 
Case length with crown: 44.5mm 
Case length with loop: 50.50mm
Case Depth: 10.75mm
 
In leather strap:
Width: 48mm
Length: 57mm
Depth: 15mm
Strap width: 9mm