1916 Zenith "Signal Corps. USA" Military Trench Watch

Before World War I, most watches came in the form of the pocket variety, with wristwatches being far less popular due to them widely being considered to be exclusively for women. But during the War, when the soldiers in the trenches needed a timepiece that could be read quickly and easily, especially while running or holding a rifle, those pocket watches got modified into wristwatches—or wristlets, as they were often referred to back then—to make them much more usable. Fittingly, those watches came to be known as trench watches.

This Zenith trench watch from 1916 is especially interesting, not only because of the aforementioned history but also because of a few extra words on the dial—"Signal Corps USA." The Signal Corps was a specialized military group whose primary charge was to handle communications, which included operating switchboards, taking photographs, managing aviation, and even training the Army's first combat pilots. At the time, the US Army's Chief Signal Officer put out the call for a wristwatch designed specifically for the Signal Corps. Among the specs was that the "workmanship and material throughout shall be first class", that it should have a white enamel dial with white or blue Arabic numerals, and that there should be a wristlet included. Seven Swiss brands answered the CSO's call, including Omega, Tissot, Cyma, Ulysse Nardin, Rode, Moser, and of course, Zenith.

For obvious reasons, not many of these watches exist today, which makes the incredible condition of this nearly 100-year-old piece even more remarkable. While the originally-white numerals have aged to a dusty yellow color, the enamel dial is still stark white and the to-spec oxidized nickel case is strong and clean. This is an amazing piece with a really unique, interesting military provenance, and the perfect addition to any enthusiast's collection.