WW1 British Army Williamson Watch, c.1914

A good and working British Army issue Williamson pocket watch, c.1914.

These early WW1 watches are seldom found with black dials. Interestingly, you will also note that the movement is not in typical pocket watch form as it has the subsidiary seconds dial in the unusual 3 o'clock position. This change in design became necessary when Williamson found that they were running short of their regular pocket watch movements and, rather than delay supply to the War Office, Williamson ordered their "Hunter" watch movements to be pressed into service to fulfil their contract. Of course, the standard military dial would not fit with these, so a black-pained version was hurriedly introduced. Other cost and time-saving measures resulted in these "emergency" supplied watches lacking the impressed broad arrow on the case, but the numbering process persisted and a crow's foot mark was added in due course.

A great example of British watchmaking ingenuity.

Code: 51698