Men’s 1908 Waltham Riverside Trench Watch

Before World War I, wristwatches, often referred to as "wristlets," were a rare sight, overshadowed by the cherished pocket watch, which was the standard timekeeping accessory for all, regardless of station. While women did wear wristwatches during the late 19th century, men's wristlets were largely relegated to niche markets, such as military officers or sportsmen, with only a few pioneering brands like Waltham or Rolex experimenting with wrist-fitted timepieces specifically for men. The scarcity of men’s wristlets reflected both cultural perceptions — where pocket watches symbolized status and reliability — and technical challenges, as early wristwatches required uncommon durability and accuracy in the absence of modern shock-resistant mechanisms.

This rarity began to shift as the demands of war, specifically WWI, highlighted the wristwatch’s practicality for soldiers needing quick, hands-free access to time in the trenches.

We're pleased to offer this early, high-grade 17 ruby-jeweled Waltham 1908 "Riverside" timepiece with its rare, matching "Riverside" dial, fitted in a solid sterling fixed-lug "Fahys" case.

Measuring approx. 40mm lug-to-lug by 32mm wide, this slightly oversized example features an original glass crystal, pumpkin crown and plum-blued hands. We’ve taken the liberty of fitting this most uncommon work of tactile art with a correctly re-created two-piece strap in mahogany cordovan. Also, we’re pleased to offer the watch in a custom-fitted khaki twill presentation pouch.