Trench watch
Encyclopedia
The Trench watch was a type of watch that came into use by the military during World War I
, as pocket watches were not practical in combat. It was a transitional design between pocket watch
es and wrist watches, incorporating features of both.
The very first watch that somebody adapted to wear on a wrist is unknown. The first series of purpose-made wrist watches was produced by Girard-Perregaux
in 1880 for the German Navy. During World War I numerous companies, including Omega, Longines
, and others produced wrist watches for the military. These watches were of virtually identical style with an enamel dial, wide white numerals, and a luminescent hour hand. Often they did not bear the name of the manufacturer, though the movement, originally designed in the 1890s for ladies’ pendant watches, was marked "Swiss".
From pocket watches those trench watches inherited hinged front and back covers. The lugs for a strap looked like a thick wire attachment to the classical round shape of pocket watches rather than an integrated part of the body of the later and modern wrist watches.
The name "wristlet" was used until early 1930s and was eventually replaced by the modern name "wrist watch".
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, as pocket watches were not practical in combat. It was a transitional design between pocket watch
Pocket watch
A pocket watch is a watch that is made to be carried in a pocket, as opposed to a wristwatch, which is strapped to the wrist. They were the most common type of watch from their development in the 16th century until wristwatches became popular after World War I during which a transitional design,...
es and wrist watches, incorporating features of both.
The very first watch that somebody adapted to wear on a wrist is unknown. The first series of purpose-made wrist watches was produced by Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux is a high-end Swiss watch manufacture with its origins dating back to 1791. It is situated in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and is a part of the Sowind group, a subsidiary of PPR.- History :...
in 1880 for the German Navy. During World War I numerous companies, including Omega, Longines
Longines
Longines is a Swiss luxury watchmaker based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The company was originally founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832 and it currently holds the oldest registered logo for a watch company . Longines is currently owned by the Swatch Group.Longines is known for its 'Aviators' watches...
, and others produced wrist watches for the military. These watches were of virtually identical style with an enamel dial, wide white numerals, and a luminescent hour hand. Often they did not bear the name of the manufacturer, though the movement, originally designed in the 1890s for ladies’ pendant watches, was marked "Swiss".
From pocket watches those trench watches inherited hinged front and back covers. The lugs for a strap looked like a thick wire attachment to the classical round shape of pocket watches rather than an integrated part of the body of the later and modern wrist watches.
The name "wristlet" was used until early 1930s and was eventually replaced by the modern name "wrist watch".