Here we have a good example of a 1918 Birch & Gaydon ‘Land & Water’, Zenith silver cased trench watch. It has the 30.5mm sterling silver case with the coin edge screw on front and screw back. It has the well sized onion style crown to the right-hand side. The dial is formed of enamel and has the bright white tone. The Arabic hour markers are bold, with the aged Radium luminous in-fill. The dial is signed with the Birch & Gaydon name, with the ‘Land & Water’ model signing. The sub-second track is inset, with the broad, luminous sub-second hand. The hour and minute hands are thermally blued, of Spade & whip style, with the luminous in-fill. The inside of the case back has British hallmarking from Glasgow assay office, dating to 1918. The movement is typically high-quality Zenith 15 jewel calibre, which is manual wind and has been recently serviced. 
 
The dial is clean and classic, formed of enamel with the bright white tone. It has the simple sash minute markers to the exterior, with the broad markers for the hours. The Arabic numerals are also of the classic trench style with the bold size and radium luminous in-fill. The luminous paint has naturally aged to a dark tone and has a pleasing depth and texture. The 12 O’clock marker is red, to differentiate it. The dial is signed with the Birch and Gaydon name below 12, with the ‘Land & Water’ signing above the sub-second register. The sub-second register is inset into the dial, with the classic railroad track. It has an eye-catching broad, luminous sub-second hand which will have been a useful feature to clearly see the seconds. The hour and minute hands and thermally blued, of luminous spade and whip style. The luminous paint has aged to the same dark tone. 
 
The case is more petite, measuring 30.5mm x 30.5mm. With the crown it extends to a 34mm width, whilst the lugs take the total length to 36.25mm. It is formed of sterling silver and has the coin edge screw on bezel. Within this is the cut glass with the bevelled edge. The centre of the case has the fixed bar lugs which are thick and strong, securing the watch to the strap. To the right is the extended crown tube with the large onion style crown. 
To the rear of the case is the screw on case back, with the directional arrow and text engraved. Inside it is signed with British hallmarking from Glasgow assay office, dating to 1918. It is signed with the ‘ZWC’ Zenith Watch Company makers mark. 
 
The movement is a good quality Zenith calibre. It is manually wound with a jewel count of 15. Its serial number also dates it to 1918. It has the classic gilt finishing. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of 20 seconds per day.
 
Birch & Gaydon and the Land & Water
 
During the great war Birch & Gaydon created three trench watch offerings, with the most expensive being the “Land & Water”. Birch & Gaydon were one of the very top London jewellers and only sold the best quality items. The Land & Water has always been a well-known and desirable trench watch due to it being one of the earliest named models, with a great quality design and movement.
 
Birch & Gaydon were the principal retailer of Zenith watches in England, with Zenith having an office in London since 1914. The Land and Water name is thought to have come from the patriotic British newspaper of the same name, formed in 1914 to report on the progress of WW1.
 
The watch was advertised as being the ideal watch for Naval and Military officers due to its design features. A reliable Zenith movement with micrometer regulator, timed to all positions and temperature, a screw case to provide damp and dust proofing, luminous dial and hands and choice of black or white dial.
 
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 dial is original and is good condition for the age. It is formed of enamel with the bright white finish. The railroad track is good with the clear arabic numerals and original radium in-fill. The signing is visible but has some light wear associated with age.
 
Hands: The hands are original and are in good condition. They are have the bright thermally blued tone. They have been re-lumed with an aged tone. The sub-second hand is also original.
 
Glass: The glass is original, with the bevelled edge. It has some marking associated with age and scratching.
 
Crown: The crown is original and is in good condition with light marking associated with age.
 
Case: The case is formed of silver and is in very good original condition. The bezel is in good condition with the defined coin edge. It has some marks associated with age. The case is good with the polished finish and light scratching. The lugs are original, good and thick.
 
Caseback: The screw back is in good original condition with light surface scratching. It has the directional engraving to the rear.
Inside of case back: The Inside of the case back is in good condition for the age, with the screw thread also good. It has slight marking with age. It has service etchings. The hallmarking is clear.
 
Strap: The watch is currently on an antique leather single piece strap.
 
Movement: The movement is a Zenith manual wind calibre. It has a jewel count of 15, with a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement has been recently serviced and has a daily variation on the wrist of 20 seconds a day. It has a 250 degree amplitude.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 30.5mm
Case width with crown: 34mm
Case length: 30.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 36.25mm
Case Depth: 9.75mm
Lug width: 12mm