Military watches and what to wear with them…

[Bestdj777]

Hi all,

Just picked up a 1916 trench watch. It’s on a traditional, brown leather trench watch strap. Struggling with when it would actually make sense to wear it. Anyone have one and, if so, when does it get wrist time? Silly question I know, but I love the style/history and just really wanted the watch.

No pictures as it just arrived and I want to make sure it works properly/doesn’t have to go back before wearing it and posting it.

Chris

[Kingface66]

Dude, it’s your watch. You bought it ‘cause you like it. Wear it WHENEVER YOU WANT.

[Bestdj777]

Fair enough and probably the right response. I spend roughly twenty minutes figuring out where it “fit” in my watch case, so I’m definitely an over thinking when it comes to this one—I’ll blame it on the pandemic and not getting out of a hoodie for the last two years or really having to make a fashion decision.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Fair enough and probably the right response. I spend roughly twenty minutes figuring out where it “fit” in my watch case, so I’m definitely an over thinking when it comes to this one—I’ll blame it on the pandemic and not getting out of a hoodie for the last two years or really having to make a fashion decision.

Ha! Fair enough and relatable. That said, no two vintage Rolex collectors are alike.

…as opposed to the strictly modern Rolex buyers.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Dude, it’s your watch. You bought it ‘cause you like it. Wear it WHENEVER YOU WANT.

This x100. Think of where this watch was worn previously. I would wear it anywhere I decided to.

Let’s see some pics!!


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Dude, it’s your watch. You bought it ‘cause you like it. Wear it WHENEVER YOU WANT.

This. I've been wearing formal dress watches with T-shirts and sweatpants for couple of years now.

It's made me realize that nobody cares what you have on your wrist except you. And of course, the lesser-spotted WIS community.

[Bestdj777]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate you all weighing in. Here is a picture of it—it’s kept great time over the last 5 or so hours I’ve had it running so will likely be holding on to it. It’s an interesting watch—it has Alida Watch Company’s name on the dial, a Rebberg movement, and Rolex stamped on the case (I’ve seen a few others that are marked the same, so everything checks out). What sold me is that the back was engraved so I know the date of the watch and the original owner, a Canadian gentleman that may or may not have served in WW1 (still running it down).

[Andad]

Nice.

Now look for a WW1 BSA M20 with sidecar and a brown bomber jacket.

Great match.

[TimeLord2]

Confidence and swagger. Nice watch!

[L.K Johnson]

Lovely hands!!

[Tom1675]

Great piece with a lot of character. That's the kind of watch that starts conversations!

[zapokee]

Very nice indeed. Stylish AF and looks great on the Bund strap - makes it wear much bigger.

I might consider running a Geiger counter over it just to be safe - that's a LOT of radium on the numerals. You can get a Geiger counter on eBay for 30 bucks.

[harry in montreal]

Anyone here attach an old compass to their nato band ?

[1665fan]

I’d wear a 5517 anytime anywhere anyplace…….

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Lovely hands!!

Yes, very characteristic. I believe that style is called cathedral hands. Not sure why... Maybe a resemblance to the lead separations in a stained-glass window?

[Chris75]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Yes, very characteristic. I believe that style is called cathedral hands. Not sure why... Maybe a resemblance to the lead separations in a stained-glass window?

Yes, it's inspired by the stained glass window design for the luminous material.

[Chris75]

Originally Posted by Andad

Nice.

Now look for a WW1 BSA M20 with sidecar and a brown bomber jacket.

Great match.

Cool one!

[Bestdj777]

Thank you all. I appreciate the kind comments. This is the first unusually watch I’ve purchased and it took me forever to find on that was a large enough size that it would have been warn by a man (this one is 32mm I believe), had lum on the hands and numerals as most watches warn during the war would have had, and actually worked.

Maybe I’ll wear it with my old leather jacket and try to swing the bike and side car :) (my wife would kill me).

[Juhuatai]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Very nice indeed. Stylish AF and looks great on the Bund strap - makes it wear much bigger.

I might consider running a Geiger counter over it just to be safe - that's a LOT of radium on the numerals. You can get a Geiger counter on eBay for 30 bucks.

I second this. Those old watches have a ton of radium and could be extremely unsafe to wear.