Gold Brighton Watch

Brighton Watch Co.
14k yellow gold 
ca. 1915  
Manual wind  
15 jewels  
Swiss made   
23.5 x 23.5 mm

Around 1880 wristwatches, in those days called ‘wristlets’ became fashionable for woman, first they were miniature copies of men’s wristwatches, but later on they became much more decorated, and distinctive. This cushion shape ladies watch dating from approximately 1915 resembles the trench watches used in the WWI. Yet no luminous indexes, or hands, as there is no need to get the time in the dark of night. The 14k solid gold Wadsworth (USA) case is exceptionally well made; it is engraved on the inside of the case back which is rare. Was it a secret gift, a romantic gesture, who knows? The engraving is beautifully done, and as it is done on the inside, it has no bearing on the worth. These types of cases were finished while the case was ensembled, that’s why all parts fit so perfectly together.

The dial is stunning, first of all because circular placing of the index numbers, which are engraved and filled with enamel lacquer. The lower mid-section consists of raised lines and last but not least the red 12 o’ clock. There is conflicting info regarding the red 12 o’clock, some claim it was especially made red so that the solders in the trenches could easily read the time, others claim it was due to the change of the pocket watch into wristwatches, whereby the 12 o’clock on a pocket watch is set under the crown, and not at the 3 o’clock, so to avoid any confusion, they painted the 12 red. Wel I guess both sound logical. However, the strange thing is that lady’s watches carried red and even blue twelves long before WWI, who can explain that one? Whatever the case it does indicate that the red 12 is not per se a man’s/military or trench watch feature. The hands are a beautiful blue steeled color and the model is named 'Losanges' in French. The movement is Swiss made and of good quality, signed; 'Brighton Watch Co.' however the caliber remains unknown. This blog is getting way too long, cutting it short now...it’s a precious unique watch with so many fascinating details.