The original 1919 Waltham Depollier "THERMO"
Depollier Developed Waterproof Technology
36mm Threaded .830 Silver Hermetic Case
Original Factory Screw Down Crown
High End 15 Jewel Movement
Factory Military Grade Yellow Crystal
Hand Made Tan KHAKI STRAP and Sterling Silver Slider Clasp
In superb running condition and keeping excellent time
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CHF 34,995.00
Delivery
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Conditions of sale
The Watch
Description
A watch that has been missing from the historical record for fifty years!
This is the HIGH END version of the Waltham Depollier "Field & Marine" Waterproof Watch. The Field & Marine" was made of nickel. This highly elusive model was named the 1919 Waltham Depollier 'THERMO" Waterproof Watch. The Waltham Depollier "THERMO" Waterproof Watches were only made in .830 silver and 14k solid gold. This is the SILVER version.
The side of the case reads "DEPOLLIER WATERPROOF WATCH TRADEMARK". This absolutely remarkable piece of American craftsmanship is in SUPERB condition and has been mechanically restored. Hard to believe that this waterproof watch is 103 years old.
All modern dive watches and waterproof watches today can be traced back to this model, the technology developed by Depollier started it all. Our Grandfather's knew how to make things that would last for generations. The movement was just completely taken apart and serviced on 18.01.2022, a brand new mainspring has also been installed. It's in superb running condition and keeping excellent time.
This watch has been tested on a professional timegraph 5000 Machine for accuracy. The 15 jewel movement is clean as a whistle and stunning in its beauty.
The .830 SILVER waterproof trench watch case was manufactured by J. Depollier & Son in 1919. The FIVE Depollier patent dates that made this waterproof watch possible are stamped on the inside of the case back, 1916 - 1919. Case number: 289. Years of R&D by Depollier went into this case design. This is a fully hermetic waterproof case so the bezel and case back are both threaded, the threading is in excellent condition.
Nobody over the past 103 years has tried to open the case the wrong way by prying it open. So many of these cases have been destroyed by somebody trying to improperly pry the case open but this one is just superb. This case is highly prized by collectors for its beauty & design features and incredible historical importance.
The waterproof technology developed by Charles Depollier was tested by Lieutenant Colonel Mauborgne of the United States Army Signal Corps in 1918 and it passed the tests with flying colors. He was the Chief of the United States Army Signal Corps Engineering & Research Division when he tested this watch design. He would soon thereafter purchase 10,000 of them for the US Army. Lieutenant Colonel Mauborgne would later become a TWO STAR Major General and the Chief Signal Officer of the United States Army. Depollier developed the world's first waterproof wrist watch that actually worked and kept the water out. Plus, this case still has the original factory silver crown.
The case has not been polished, just cleaned. The enamel dial on this trench watch is among the most desirable that Waltham ever produced, the Shadow Box Military Dial! The dial features a white face, shadow box numerals, outer minute markers, the correct blue steel skeleton hands for this dial and is signed "WALTHAM" near the center. The dial and skeleton hands have been re-lumed using safe modern material. Very nice dark brown color for that very desirable vintage look.
This historic and iconic American trench watch has been fitted with a hand made 16mm tan KHAKI STRAP and a sterling silver slider clasp that absolutely makes the watch! Take a look at picture number two again, this watch looks stunning on the wrist. The strap will fit a wrist up to 8.5 inches and has a bit of wear on it.
Movement details
- 1919 Waltham, 15 jewels, size 3/0s
- Serial number 21413784
- Grade 365, model 1907
- Solid gold center wheel, solid gold raised jewel chatons and solid gold balance wheel screws
They just don't make them like this anymore.
The case diameter is 36mm not including the original factory crown, it measures 44mm lug tip to lug tip and the lug diameter is of 16mm. The case weighs an incredible 39.6 grams of .830 silver without the movement or 1.39 ounces. That is a lot of silver considering your run of the mill WWI sterling silver trench watch case only weighs about 12 grams.
This EXTREMELY RARE "THERMO" model still has a yellow military crystal. Charles Depollier wrote a booklet back in 1917 titled "The Watch in the Trenches", on pages 13-14 he discusses the need for a dark colored crystal. This was intended to lessen the brightness of the radium lume. You certainly didn't want an enemy sniper taking you out from across "no-man's land".
The original dark yellow crystal has some scratches, but nothing that I would consider major. This watch winds and sets exactly as it should and the screw down crown locks into place just as it should! It has no issues. The two shoulders that the crown screws down into are also in excellent condition.
This watch is ready to be worn and shown off, it will surely get noticed! A lot of time and effort went into this Waltham Depollier and you will appreciate the quality and quantity of work that has been done. Solid old World craftsmanship at its finest.
