Book Description

A combination of 542 photos, advertisements, original patent drawings and pamphlets. The informative text tells the story of the Waltham Watch Company wristwatches that accompanied the United States, United Kingdom and Canadian armies into the trenches of Europe during the Great War. Hundreds of different case and dial combinations are covered including some of the rarest case styles ever produced, several that have never been published before. Pricing, rarity, US Army specifications and a brief company history are included. The three generations of Depollier waterproof watch cases with advertising and patent drawings. The Depollier and Waltham relationship is discussed including the influence that Mr. Ezra Fitch had on case design. The RED 12 Dials, the Arabic Dials and the Shadow Box Dials are prominently featured. The Engine Turned cases, the Giant size 6 cases, the Behemoth size 12 cases, the Dennison cases and the "named" Illinois Watch Case Company cases are all featured. Also covered are the crystal guards, case grades per manufacturer and serial number production dates. Waltham Trench Watch movements, from the standard 7 jewel all the way up to the exceptional 19 jewel Riverside Maximus with a solid gold train featuring real Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond jewels. Several step by step Waltham Trench Watch restorations. 16 chapters in all, including one very special chapter featuring the 1917 trench watch pamphlet written by Charles L. Depollier himself. This historical company set the standard for American industry, many of their innovative manufacturing techniques are still used in modern factories around the world today.