Men’s 1917 Elgin Military 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.

One of the first American manufacturers of the wristlet watch, Elgin helped usher in the "migration" of the timepiece from pocket to wrist with flair and reliability.

For example, this men's WWI era timepiece – with movement dated late 1917 – is as fine an early War era timepiece as one could hope to find and is as breathtakingly stylish today as it was a century ago. Strong and exquisite – what more could one want from a classic timepiece?

Its factory original enamel dial features stylized Roman numerals with distinctive red “12,” often associated with War-era pieces. Its fancy blued hands and sub-seconds register are clean and elegant. And the case! Solid nickel with split swivel lugs, it retains a mirror-finish with curves in all the right places – an archetypal wristwatch that is both a conversation starter and conversation stopper.

Unscrew its unengraved back and you'll find a completely and professionally restored, ruby-jeweled Elgin National Watch Company movement, marking time as it did during WWI.

We've fitted this special 45mm by 35mm timepiece with one of our own two-piece straps, a precise recreation of what might have been worn with this watch: Fashioned from genuine oak cordovan and fitted with a matching buckle, it contributes to a package so authentic it could be worn in a period movie (as some of our watches have).

It's time to spoil yourself by purchasing a piece of timekeeping and military history. Impress your clients, one-up the boys at the 19th hole and create waves of envy among the co-workers with work of WWI-era wrist art!