Old Military Enamel 43

Available in three sizes - 40 mm, 43 mm or 45 mm

The age of the old military pocket watch began at the turn of the last century and experienced its zenith between the two World Wars. After the Second World War, these watches were very rarely made. Only Cortébert, a mass producer of the time, still manufactured some military pocket watches – apart from that, demand had plummeted. The pocket watch had been almost completely replaced by the wristwatch, which resulted in the success of a sleeker design with smaller numerals. The design of the old military pocket watches, however, was defined by outsize Arabic numerals that were filled with luminous material. One particular feature of these watches is that the edges of the numbers can still be clearly seen. Normally, the luminous material was applied all over the printed numerals, but, in military watches, the insides of the printed numerals were hollow and only the insides were filled with luminous material. This is why the numerals had to be so big – otherwise it would not have been possible technically. Some dials even did without luminous material altogether as a result of cost-cutting measures, and some had only a few of their numerals filled with Luminova. What is also characteristic of military pocket watches is the typical ‘chemin de fer’ railway tracks around the outside, featuring a diamond at each compass point. They also all featured the seconds dial at 6 o’clock. Military pocket watches from premium Swiss manufacturers are still very highly prized by collectors to this day. In addition, there was also a range of largely unknown manufacturers that no longer exist.

Tourby Watches is drawing on the tradition of the old military pocket watch and offering this model in three versions. The classic version features a galvanised black surface, white print and C3 Super-Luminova. In addition, there are two vintage special editions – one with black antique lacquer and one with a milky enamel lacquer. The vintage editions feature a slightly brownish luminous material, which is reminiscent of Old Radium Luminova. Many antique military pocket watches look just like this today as a result of the ageing process on the luminous material.

Specifications:

manufactured watch case

43 mm diameter

50 mm lug to lug

22 mm strap wide

9 mm thickness without glass

10.4 mm height incl. domed glass
Stainless steel watch case (Made in Germany)

Watch case completely brushed by hand

Polished bezel or polished lugs on request

Domed and anti-reflective sapphire glass (arched)

Sapphire glass case back

Enamel coated dial with luminous material (Made in Germany)
Heat-blued steel hands with luminous material (Swiss Made)
TRITEC "old radium" luminous material (Swiss Made)

PREMIUM manual wind movement (based on Swiss Made ETA Unitas 6498-1), 17 Jewels, 18.000 A/h beats per hour, power reserve 52 h

or TOP GRADE manual wind movement (based on Swiss Made ETA Unitas 6498-2), 17 Jewels, 21.600 A/h beats per hour, power reserve 60 h

fine adjusted in 5 positions

Precision -2/+8 sec/day, after casing

Shock-resistant according to DIN 8308 Standards
Anti-magnetic according to DIN 8309 Standards
hand-stitched leather bands (Made in Germany)
Stainless steel buckle

Shipped in an attractive trvael Leather case

Prices:

**** free shipping worldwide***

Delivery time is 2 months

Old Military Enamel 43 Premium with buffalo or calf Leather strap * 2,000.00 Euro

Old Military Enamel 43 Top Grade with buffalo or calf Leather strap * 2,650.00 Euro

Upgrades: (Please click on the text for more informations):

genuine Cordovan leather strap + 25.00 Euro

genuine alligator skin strap + 100.00 Euro

Change to straight crown * free of charge

Folding clasp + 50.00 Euro

Partial hand engravings on movement + 750.00 Euro