Here we have a classy antique circa 1917 Birch & Gaydon WW1 Period, silver Borgel cased trench watch. It has the solid case back with the coin edge screw front. The case is well proportioned measuring 36mm wide without crown. To the right is the large original onion style crown which is stem wind and set. To each end are the silver fixed wire lugs. The dial is the deep black enamel with the white tone dash minute track and bold Arabic numerals, with the aged luminous in-fill. Below 12 is the Birch & Gaydon signing, with the inset sub-second dial at 6 o’clock with the ‘Land & Water’ text above. The hands are of Cathedral style, in the gold tone. The inside of the case is marked with UK import hallmarking by Glasgow assay office with the date letter for 1917. It has the ‘ZWC mark for Zenith Watch Company.

The movement is a Zenith calibre NVS1 which is manual wind. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.

The enamel dial is the deep black tone and is free of any cracks or chips. It has the dash minute markers to the exterior with the thicker batons for the 5-minute graduations. The hour markers are of the bold Arabic numeral style, with the aged luminous in-fill. Below 12 it is signed with the ‘Birch & Gaydon Ltd’ name with the ‘Fenchurch Street, London’ address. The sub-second register is inset at 6 o’clock and has the classic railroad track. Above it is the curved ‘Land & Water’ text. The sub-second hand is the gold tone with the lollipop counterbalance. The hour and minute hands are also the gold tone, in the cathedral style, with the matching aged luminous on-fill.

The case measures 35.5mm x 35.5mm which makes this a well-sized watch. The crown adds significant presence with its size, taking the total width to 41mm. The lugs also add further presence, extending from the case and taking the total length to 42.5mm. With a depth of 11.5mm, this is a neat watch sitting nicely on the wrist. The fixed bar lugs have a 12.5mm strap width. Allowing for a good strap.

It is a patented Borgel screw case which was innovative, providing protection against dust and moisture. The case is formed of a solid section with the fixed wire lugs to the top and bottom. The movement fits within a threaded carrier ring with the bezel and glass fitting over the top. This is then screwed into the case, creating a seal. The crown and stem require removal for the case to screw and un-screw. This is achieved by pulling the crown out and holding it, whilst turning the bezel. The hands are stem wind and set, which is pretty un-common, with most movements being pin-set during the period. The solid back is free of engraving.

Inside the case is marked with Swiss Silver hallmarking and British import hallmarking from Glasgow assay office. The date letter ‘u’ corresponds with the 1917 manufacture. It is marked with the ‘ZWC’ sponsor mark of Zenith Watch Company.

The movement is the Zenith calibre NVS1. It is eye-catching with the classic Zenith gilt finishing. It has a jewel count of 15 and is manually wound. It has the serial number ‘2217939’ which also corresponds with later 1917.

It has been recently serviced and is keeping very accurate time to within +40 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 360 degrees and a beat error of 1.1m/s.

The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.

Dial:
The dial is enamel and is original. It is in good condition with no obvious marking, chips or cracks.

Hands:
The hands are original, of cathedral style and have the aged luminous in-fill.

Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a modern replacement in perfect condition.

Crown:
The crown is an original Borgel crown which winds the watch as it should and pulls out to unscrew the movement.

Case:
It is a Borgel style case which functions as it should, with no signs of major wear to the thread where the movement carrier screws in. The bezel is in strong antique condition with the coin edge finish having some light wear. The wire lugs are good and strong. There are some light dents and nicks to the case associated with age.

Strap:
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap which is in good condition and will fit any wrist size.

Movement:
The movement is a Zenith calibre NVS1 which is manual wind.

It has been recently serviced and is keeping very accurate time to within +40 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 360 degrees and a beat error of 1.1m/s.

Case dimensions
Case width: 35.5mm
Case width with crown: 41.6mm
Case length: 35.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 42.5mm
Case depth: 11.4mm
Lug width: 12.5mm