Officer's watch

An officer's watch is a style reminiscent of the trench watches of World War I but with more upscale features.

The typical components of an officer's watch are as follows

• A round case with little decoration, though coin edge bezels are sometimes found
• A clean round dial with stark markings on a white background, often with sectors
• Small seconds
• A large onion crown with no crown guards
• Soldered lugs that protrude straight from the case, often with a scrolling profile
• Drilled lugs, typically with screws holding a non-spring bar
• A hinged case back is often used

The overall impression reflects the marriage watches created at that time by mounting a small pocket watch for wrist use during wartime. But, in contrast to trench watches, officer's watches included more expensive and upscale features.

The officer's watch case continues to be popular today, with companies like Patek Philippe and Chronoswiss embracing the style. Patek produced perhaps the definitive officer's watch for their 150th anniversary in 1989, their Ref. 3960 Calatrava. It includes all of the elements above, with Breguet hands and numbers and a hinged case back.

• Patek Philippe Officer's Watch