Although it's a Matchless model, it has an otherwise almost identical dial but without the sub-seconds ground out. The movement is very similar too but finished to a lower quality (I believe these are Revue movements). The style of the case would suggest at first glance that this is earlier than the first watch, yet the serial number is nearly 40,000 later. (The caseback has the serial inside and also the two four digit numbers on the outside).
The glass appears to the original very thick flat mineral glass, something that seems to be specific to West End Watches. There are quite a few scratches in the surface but the glass is so thick that they could very easily be ground out and still have plenty to spare. Perhaps that is by design. I think this is the original crown too.
This particular watch consistently runs 10-15 minutes too fast. At first I thought the cause of this was that the hairspring was twisted so that it hit the centre wheel when it rotated one way. However twisting it slightly to fix this, and a thorough cleaning etc, does not seem to have made much difference. I suspect now that unfortunately the hairspring is a little short.The difference in aging between the stainless back and the rest of the case, (made of some alloy I can't identify that was probably chromed) is very apparent. I imagine the back looks pretty much the same as it did the day it came out of the press.
Update 6/08/2012: After much fiddling, I've managed to lengthen the hairspring using the excess and it's now back into the realms of the reasonable timekeeping. I've probably managed to mangle the spring into a less than ideal state, but it's better than being 20 minutes a day fast. Opening this one up again it struck me what a beautiful movement this watch has and how good a condition the dial and hands are in.
Hi Nick: I just happened to see this blog. Incidently, I have a similar watch I inherited . The main thing missing on mine is a crown. By any chance would you know where I can find a replacement crown?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
-Kirti
Hey, I figure this model is nearly 100 years old now so spare parts are hard to come by. I think the movement is a Revue 59 (http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Revue_59). You should be able to find a stem for this relatively easily, but the crown itself is a different matter. I've never seen one like this for sale :(
ReplyDeleteI think your best bet is to keep an eye on ebay for similar models that you can use for parts. They do come up fairly regularly.
Hi Nick -
ReplyDeleteI just happened upon a West End Matchless and was looking into it online, where I came upon your blog.
The only number mine has on the back was a serial number (336....). I saw you opened yours, but I would have no idea how to - is this easy? Do you need some special tools? Have you found anywhere to search the history of these watches - even maybe some stories behind them?
Thanks!
-Phil
Hi Phil,
DeleteTo open them is quite easy usually. The back and the front both just pop off normally if you insert a sharpish knife into the join and twist slightly (the joins are the two lines going around in the side one view above). All the ones I've see have a recess or at least some marks or are very worn it indicate where this should be done. The one above has a nickel body which is relatively soft, so after nearly 100 years of being opened it actually has quite a pronounced mark (some might call it damage), though you can't see it in the photo. They come in hinged and non-hinged versions but the method is the same. If you have a hinge the recess will be opposite.
As to history and stories, well actually I've not found much really, not beyond what's elsewhere on the site anyway. If you google around you will find a few tales about Lawrence of Arabia but I think that's probably hearsay. There is no doubt that large numbers of colonial troops around WWI carried them and they continued to be used and issued in India and the rest of the Empire until it's collapse until WWII. If yours has an "up-arrow" on the back then is was definitely Government Issue (though not necessarily from new).
There seem to be a lot of these with a serial number in the 3 millions. My best guess now is they date to around the early 1930s. That's later than their style would suggest to me, but I suspect that the colonies were a few years behind the fashions of Europe...
Cheers,
nick
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteBeen getting into collecting West End Watches lately... Do you know anything about a reissue of the secundus trench watch in the 70s or 80s? I've been seeing a lot of unusually clean trench watch examples pop up on eBay lately. I couldn't help myself and bought one. I opened it up and the movement looks very clean - almost new. Any thoughts?
Hi Shane,
DeleteI know nothing specifically about them I'm afraid but I do know the ones you mean. I have been tempted on occasion but haven't succumbed yet. I always thought they were 80s or 90s myself, but that is little more than a guess. The best way to age it would be by the movement model or features but I've not seen inside one myself.
Cheers,
nick
Thanks Nick... I did end up purchasing an older Matchless trench. We'll see how that one turns out. Thought you might be interested in this for your research: http://www.ebay.com/itm/unusual-boxed-West-End-sterling-silver-mens-wristwatch-watch-papers-dated-1924-/400691626140?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item5d4b15009c
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one with papers!
Ha, I saw that earlier today. I need to add it to my spreadsheet.
DeleteA bit beyond my budget but fascinating to see it with all it's original documents. It also blows my theory about the first two digits of the serial being approximately the year of production completely out of the water...
Hi Nick, I have inherited a Matchless Trench just as in your photo and it was handed to me unfortunately without the original winder but remember the original from when my mother wore it (still alive I hasten to add) and was always told that it was an (Gt+) Uncle George from the war time. Beautiful watch with a clear face but sadly not working now, possibly over wound. :( Thanks for all the information and history on this site..
ReplyDelete