The Grandaddy of Engraved Military Watches!
It would be hard to top the engraving on this 1918 Illinois Trench Watch! I found this incredible Illinois back in late 2016, several months later it was featured in the NAWCC Bulletin magazine in the Fred's Fantastic Finds section. This Illinois originally belonged to U.S. Army Captain Curtis Fields Columbia. He was the Assistant Supervisor of Instruction at the Saumur Artillery School in France. The watch was a gift from his mother. Captain Columbia was well traveled during his time in Europe for the war. It looks like he had the names of all the towns & villages he visited engraved onto the watch, map provided, EVERY part of the watch including the Khaki Strap clasp. This is the best of the best when it comes to an Illinois Trench Watch! Incredible high end 17 jewel movement, sterling silver trench watch case, original factory dial & hands, original factory crown, original factory Khaki Strap & Clasp. I only did mechanical repairs to this Illinois, nothing cosmetic. ENJOY!
Recipient of the 2023 NAWCC Roberts-Taylor Award for Excellence in the Field of Horological Research. Multiple Title Watch Book Author, Vintage American Military Watch Dealer, Watchmaker.
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Pulp Fiction vibes aside, that is a great get!