What defines a WW1 military aviation pocket watch?

These timepieces were purpose-built instruments issued to military pilots during the First World War, featuring high-legibility dials, chronograph functions, and official military property markings.

What materials were used in early twentieth-century military pocket watches?

They typically feature white enamel dials, blued steel hands, nickel or sterling silver cases, and precise mechanical lever movements designed to withstand field conditions.

How do you identify authentic military issue pocket watches?

Authentic military timepieces usually feature official government or service property markings printed on the dial or stamped on the case back, alongside maker signatures from authorised horologists.

How can an antique pocket watch be displayed in a modern interior?

An antique pocket watch can be displayed under a glass cloche on a pocket watch stand, mounted in a shadow box frame, or styled on an office desk alongside vintage leather accoutrements.

How should a vintage mechanical chronograph pocket watch be maintained?

Store the timepiece in a dry, temperature-controlled environment away from magnetic fields, wind it gently without forcing the crown, and have the mechanical movement serviced by a professional horologist.

for sale €813 $883

£695

Oliver Sargent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2013

Browse dealers 90 items

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Specialists in vintage military watches & clocks and antique oriental ceramics & works of art

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Silver Military Watch

Vintage Open Face Watch

Id #SA1235458

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Rare Ww1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Oliver Sargent Antiques

Description

Rare WW1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

A rare and highly desirable First World War French Military Aviation issue pocket watch chronograph, manufactured by Allion of Versailles (Allion A Versailles).

This exceptional example retains its original unrestored dial, which remains in remarkable mint condition. The fully signed 1/5th-second chronograph dial is marked “Propriete De L’Aviation Militaire” and “Allion A Versailles”, identifying the watch as a military aviation instrument associated with the French military during WW1.

The dial features elegant gold-coloured hour and minute hands, together with a deep-blued central chronograph sweep hand and matching deep-blued hands to the subsidiary seconds/chronograph register. The highly legible 1/5th-second scale is characteristic of precision timing watches intended for military and aviation use.

The watch is fitted with a fine gilt chronograph movement, which is unsigned but bears the movement numbers 315 and 404 either side of the balance. The movement has recently undergone a full professional service and is currently in full working order, including the chronograph function, and is keeping time.

The original case retains tight hinges to both the case back and internal movement dust cover. The central section of the case has lost some of its original plating through gentle use and age, consistent with the watch's long service history. Overall, this is an impressive and highly collectable example of an early French military aviation wrist/pocket timing instrument from the First World War period.

Key Features

• WW1 French Military Aviation issue pocket watch

• Allion A Versailles / Allion of Versailles

• Original “Propriete De L’Aviation Militaire” signed dial

• Rare 1/5th-second chronograph

• Original unrestored mint-condition dial

• Gold-coloured hour and minute hands

• Deep-blued central chronograph sweep hand

• Deep-blued subsidiary dial hands

• Fine gilt chronograph movement

• Movement numbers 315 / 404

• Recently fully serviced

• Chronograph function fully operational

• Currently keeping time

• Original hinged case and movement dust cover

• Some loss of original case plating from gentle use

• An important and scarce French WW1 military aviation watch

• Ideal for collectors of military watches, WW1 watches, French military horology, aviation watches and vintage chronographs

Dimensions

Case diameter: 52mm, excluding stem tube and crown

Case depth: 12mm

Price

£695.00, inclusive of shipping within the UK.

You can find more items of interest and purchase through our website, using all major credit cards:

please visit: www.oliversargentantiques.com

Physical Dimensions

Height

5.2cm (2.05")

Width

5.2cm (2.05")

Depth

1.2cm (0.47")

Declaration

Oliver Sargent Antiques has dated this Military Pocket Watch Chronograph to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1235458

Dealers Internal Reference

OSA1610

Description

Rare WW1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

“

A rare and highly desirable First World War French Military Aviation issue pocket watch chronograph, manufactured by Allion of Versailles (Allion A Versailles).

Oliver Sargent Antiques

fig 1. An open-face military pocket watch chronograph featuring a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals, dual sub-dials, and French military markings enclosed in a round silver case. — fig 1. Rare Ww1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

This exceptional example retains its original unrestored dial, which remains in remarkable mint condition. The fully signed 1/5th-second chronograph dial is marked “Propriete De L’Aviation Militaire” and “Allion A Versailles”, identifying the watch as a military aviation instrument associated with the French military during WW1.

fig 2. An open-face military pocket watch chronograph featuring a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals, dual sub-dials, and French military markings enclosed in a round silver case. — fig 2. Rare Ww1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

The dial features elegant gold-coloured hour and minute hands, together with a deep-blued central chronograph sweep hand and matching deep-blued hands to the subsidiary seconds/chronograph register. The highly legible 1/5th-second scale is characteristic of precision timing watches intended for military and aviation use.

fig 3. An open-face military pocket watch chronograph featuring a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals, dual sub-dials, and French military markings enclosed in a round silver case. — fig 3. Rare Ww1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

The watch is fitted with a fine gilt chronograph movement, which is unsigned but bears the movement numbers 315 and 404 either side of the balance. The movement has recently undergone a full professional service and is currently in full working order, including the chronograph function, and is keeping time.

fig 4. An open-face military pocket watch chronograph featuring a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals, dual sub-dials, and French military markings enclosed in a round silver case. — fig 4. Rare Ww1 French Military Aviation Issue Pocket Watch Chronograph by Allion of Versailles

The original case retains tight hinges to both the case back and internal movement dust cover. The central section of the case has lost some of its original plating through gentle use and age, consistent with the watch's long service history. Overall, this is an impressive and highly collectable example of an early French military aviation wrist/pocket timing instrument from the First World War period.