I'm sure the movement and dial are from the time but not the hands or the case. It looks like this started life as a pocket watch.
Eddie
I have this from Ebay. It looks OK, movement fits case - which is very big - 42 mm ex crown - and the engraving looks OK, but I am no military expert.The dial of course is with patina, lots of small dots where the gold coloured dial "looks through" the paint. Any comments that can help, is it from the time or? is appreciated
br
I'm sure the movement and dial are from the time but not the hands or the case. It looks like this started life as a pocket watch.
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
Quite possible - I am not good with those watches - BUT - would normally the subdial would then be at 9 or? (and I have not seen an Eterna from the time in black dial pocket clock in 42 mm or so, so even there (the dial is original to 1940 or before)??)Originally Posted by swanbourne
Would you then think the case is much later than 1942 or so?
Who would make a standard 42 cushion shaped case for such purpose (many other generic for mariage - but this shape and size - matching the movement so perfect)?
And therefor, you would also be sure that the DxxxxxH engraved - is also faked on much later - though not made by an amateur surely?
br
There were very few watches around of this size in 1942, the only ones I can think of are the B-Uhrs and this certainly isn't a B-Uhr. Military watches of this era were usually around 34mm.
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
The engraving looks a bit fresh, doesn't it?
Agree - but you can in K Knirims book find many oversized - from WW2 time for German us - from a number of producers - quite many in fact - as a part quote from the net:Originally Posted by swanbourne
I certainly agree that there is reason for doubt, but still are not sure.Deutsches Heer 'German Army'
The German Army had special pocket and wristwatches for their officers and special functions. These were manufactured according to given specifications by many German and Swiss producers and retailers (Titus, Aipina, Mulco, Silvana, Minerva, Record, Arsa, Bueren, Zenith, Longines a.s.o.). The dial was black with a small second hand with radium digits and hands. The back was marked "D.H." (Deutsches Heer), with the case number. The watches were partly deployed and written into the soldier's book, and also sold to army staff.
I would say that the engraving is not fresh - but then - not worn down badly either (and not made by an amateur) - but there are many scratches on the back around it and elsewhere - and it was not for sale as military, but by someone who just wrote, that it had been owned by a D H possibly - and it was not expensive (so not much to lose anyway)
This one - confirmed by specialist (for whatever it is worth) is 37 mm DH
and this - but admit there is a diff between 38 mm and 41,5 mm
br
By the way - it is just 16,5 to 17 mm for the strap - which is also very unusual for a mariage or later re-casing (I have squeezed an 18 mm moreletto in)
br
Not like any DH I've seen before, I'm afraid. The engraving looks totally wrong and the DH spec was for screw back cases whereas yours appears to be a snap back.
Cheers
Foggy
Is snap back - and should be a give away yep - The engraving - yes probably, but they are found like this - e.g. from Zenith, but yes I agreeOriginally Posted by Foggy
br
This is the only correct style of engraving I've seen on a Zenith DHThe engraving - yes probably, but they are found like this - e.g. from Zenith
Image borrowed from milwatchnut.
Cheers
Foggy