*British, WW1 - Inter-War, British Military G.S.T.P. Black-Faced Pocket Watch, Swiss 15 Jewel Movement, Broad Arrow Marked*
A genuine British military issue G.S.T.P. (General Service Trade Pattern) pocket watch, fitted with a Swiss 15-jewel manual wind movement and housed in a Birmingham hallmarked sterling silver case.
The watch has the correct military pattern black dial with Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and luminous style hands now faded with age. The rear of the case is stamped with the Broad Arrow government ownership mark over G.S.T.P. L.10768, confirming British military stores issue.
The movement is marked 15 Jewels / Swiss Made, typical of the robust Swiss movements supplied to the British War Department during the First World War and early inter-war period. The date letter is worn and indistinct but the watch is consistent with early 20th century military production.
Approx. Measurements – Watch diameter: 5 cm. Case size: 8.8 cm × 9.5 cm. Depth: 2.5 cm.
Historical Note:
The G.S.T.P. (General Service Trade Pattern) pocket watches were standard British military timepieces supplied from the First World War through the inter-war years and into the early part of the Second World War. Rather than being made to a single official design, these watches were purchased by the War Department from a variety of Swiss manufacturers and British retailers to provide reliable and easily serviced timekeepers for military use.
Typical features included a manual wind movement, subsidiary seconds dial, luminous numerals or hands, and a case stamped with the Broad Arrow government property mark together with a military stores number. These watches were issued to officers, engineers, signallers, artillery units and transport personnel where accurate timekeeping was essential for coordination of duties.
The serial number L.10768 includes a prefix letter which likely relates to a stores or contract series, although the exact meaning of these prefixes is not recorded in surviving War Department documentation. Prefix letters of this type are commonly encountered on watches supplied during the First World War and early inter-war period.
*Condition*
Good honest service condition. Dial showing age wear and fading to luminous material. Hands worn but original. Movement clean and complete and appears to run, though not tested for accuracy. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
