Trench Watch

I seem to have the habit of seeing someone show something like a watch, then thinking "Oh, I wanna show mine!" I hope that isn't annoying. If so, sorry Kevin.

Anyway, some time ago I tagged this as a "M1916 Trench Watch" but I can't recall where I got that information, so I'd be very happy for someone to confirm or correct that.

The face reads "OMEGA" with the trademark Greek letter over it, then underneath it reads "SIGNAL CORPS U.S.A." I see no other writing. It’s a fat little watch, being ½” thick and about 1 3/8” diameter. It has a smaller dial for the second hand, and the hour and minute hands have a faintly luminescent quality. Verdigris has formed in some areas, and the bails show a dull reddish color, which leads me to believe the case is silver plated brass. There is a small lip on the front part of the case, I assume for accessing the watch face, and a small lip and hinge on the back plate for accessing the interior. There are no markings on back, except for some wear from the watch band.

On the CW Military Watch page, it says "During World War I, Omega made wristwatches for British Royal Flying Corps, as well as for communications troops in the U.S. Army. These military wristwatches had white enamel dials, Arabic numerals, radium skeleton hands, and either silver or chrome-plated metal cases. Some versions featured tempered-steel grids over the watch face to protect it from shocks."

The ¾” wide watch band is clearly not original, being too wide for the ½” bales, and apparently made of olive drab nylon. It does, however seem old and military – but I’m guessing the band is post-Korean War.

Oh, and it still runs!