WW2 Royal Navy Elgin Deck Watch c.1940

A good and early WW2 Royal Navy Elgin deck watch, presented in original, collector-grade condition, in working order.

As WW2 broke out, the Admiralty lacked not just warships, but also high-grade deck watches for navigational purposes. The latter being an initial consequence of the Swiss' hesitancy to supply war-grade timepieces. In response, the USA agreed to transfer 50 ageing destroyers to the Royal Navy, as well as suitable timepieces, which had to be purchased under the Lend-Lease Act. To make the most out of the deal, the watches were shipped as movements only and upon their receipt, the Admiralty had them cased in custom English-made Dennison cases.

This wartime watch is one of the early Elgin Grade 387 examples, which features a decorated 17-jewel movement dating to 1940. The steel case is of the screw type, which has matching serial numbers and overall, the case is in good order, unmarred, showing just light evidence of service wear with no dings or dents. An Admiralty Arrow has been engraved, and on inspection, it appears that the same engraving tool has been used to add the name "Bravingtons". This was a London-based jeweller who was involved in the casing of these watches.

A lovely example of a seldom-seen Royal Navy watch..

Code: 51683