Men’s 1914 Omega Canadian Trench Watch

In 1848, 23-year-old Louis Brandt opened a comptroir d'etablissage, a "sales office" through which he would sub-contract watch manufacture by the local Swiss cottage craftsmen. By 1880, having proven themselves as reliable purveyors, sons Louis-Paul and Cesar Brandt began a modern watch production unit in Bienne. It was at this level that they began manufacturing their own movements under the names Jura, Patria, Helvetia, Celtic, and Gurzelen. Within nine years of this move, Louis Brandt & Fils were the largest watch manufacturers in Switzerland, producing 100,000 units a day – well BEFORE wristwatches were mass-produced.

By 1894, in an effort to remain competitive with the American watch market, Louis Brandt & Fils began producing an "assembly line" pocket watch movement that was simple, reliable, accurate and had interchangeable parts. The company's banker, Henri Rieckel, suggested they call their new product "Omega."

By 1917, the British Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches to keep the official time for its combat units; later in the war, so did the Americans. By 1919, bolstered by years of creating war-time watches, Omega began taking victories at the observatory timing competitions at Neuchatel. In 1933, 1936, and 1946 — all war years — Omega took first prizes in chronometer competitions.

We are honored to offer this WWI era 1914 Omega wristwatch made for Black’s Jewelers in Calgary, Canada. Featuring its original yellow gold-filled, wire-lug case, its original porcelain dial which is highlighted by "stained-glass" hands, an outer minute track and desirable sub-seconds register. Signed "Black's Calgary" in trademark script, it is a stunning thing, quite possibly worn by a young man who served in WWI.

One cannot help but marvel at the fluid lines of the piece. Our compliments to the gifted designer who brought solid lugs, clean lines  in a work of tactile art that is as stately and refined today as it was nearly 100 years ago. Measuring 39mm lug to lug and 33mm in diameter, this historically relevant 15 jewel timepiece has been completely cleaned, oiled and calibrated. Also, it is fitted with a correct recreation of the two-piece cordovan strap likely original to the piece, right down to a matching buckle. Without question, this is one of the finest looking vintage watches available.