Ww2 Vulcain Air Ministry Observer's Pocket Watch, 1940

WW2 Vulcain Air Ministry Observer's pocket watch, 1940.

The watch has a good quality 15-jewel stem-winding movement, reference 725, which is working nicely. The movement is signed with the Vulcain name.

The origins of Vulcain date back to 1858 when Maurice Ditisheim, a Swiss manufacturer, began producing pocket watches under the name Ditisheim. The name Vulcain was first seen in 1894 and was officially registered by the Ditisheim family in 1900.

The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which is inscribed,

Vulcain

f abrique de montre de précision

fondée en 1858

Médailles aux expositions universelles

Paris 1889, Chicago 1893

La plus haute recompense

Observatoire de Neuchatel Suisse

prix de série pour les

six meilleurs chronomètres

Exposition internationale

Barcelone 1929

Grand Prix

which translates as...

Vulcain

precision watch manufacturer

founded in 1858

Medals at world exhibitions

Paris 1889, Chicago 1893

The highest award

Neuchatel Observatory Switzerland

standard prize for

six best chronometres

International exhibition

Barcelona 1929

Grand Prize

The watch measures 49mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is chrome plated. The case back has the Air Ministry mark, GS (General Service), 6E/ 50 (Air Ministry issue code for observer's pocket watch, 1939-1945), G&S Ltd (Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Ltd), 1022/40. The front of the case is in good condition while the hinged case back has surface marks across it and a slight indentation. The inside of the case back is also signed G&S Ltd.

The acrylic lens has light marks, not too detrimental at all.

The signed dial has a hairline running between 6 and 10 and a couple of other short faint hairlines. Blued steel hands, subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute track.

The watch comes in a new presentation box.

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All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.

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