THE FIRST GERMAN ARMY WRIST WATCH?

Cheap watches for the front: The 'Reichskrone' Scam 1914-16

While the First World War is synonymous with mud, barbed wire and mechanised warfare, a lesser-known innovation emerged from the trenches: the wristwatch. Before 1914, these timepieces were considered novelty items, mostly owned by women. But the brutal realities of trench warfare demanded a readily available and reliable way of telling the time for coordinated attacks, artillery barrages and the use of gas masks. This essay explores the fascinating history of wristwatches in the First World War, highlighting the crucial role they played on the battlefield and the surprising lack of awareness within the collecting community.

While images of robust 'trench watches' dominate online listings, the reality is far more nuanced. The term itself covers a wide range of timepieces, from modified pocket watches to purpose-built military models. Ironically, many collectors and dealers alike mislabel later civilian watches, even ladies' pieces from the 1920s and 30s, as "trench watches" because of superficial similarities in design. This confusion extends beyond aesthetics, with the misconception of "shrapnel protectors" as a defining feature further clouding the picture. These "crystal protectors" were in fact standard features on many watches, not just those used in the trenches, and were common features not only on "sports", "drivers" and outdoor watches well into the 1930s.

Adding a further layer of complexity, German wartime wristwatches remain completely unexplored. While British and American examples receive at least some professional attention, the intricate history and design nuances of early German watches often go unnoticed, overlooking a significant chapter in horological history.

A surviving Reichskrone Army watch, the lacquered cardboard dial and hands with radium illumination. (Hoepfer collection, Kempten, Germany)

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