*GSTP, Military Issue, Early WW2, Cream-faced, Pocket Watch*
An unsigned British Military pocket watch. A white metal nickel open face case which has a snap on back and bezel. A cream enamel dial with Arabic numerals and lumen on the quarters. The back has “GSTP”, (GSTP stands for General Services Timepiece/Temporary Pattern, which indicates that the watch was purchased by the British government for the armed forces 1939-1945), this representation of GSTP is unusual as it is normally depicted as G.S.T.P or GS/TP. This is followed by the British Broad Arrow. This watch is further unusual as it does not have the usual army stores number to indicate that it was issued to serving personnel, this suggests that this was an early WW2 watch, issued pre-series, with no number. 5cm diameter.
With the looming war in 1939, the British armed forces, unprepared and slow to adapt, hurriedly sought solutions for anticipated shortages. The War Department hastily acquired pocket watches from diverse Swiss makers and retailers. Designated as “General Service” and categorized under “Temporary Pattern,” these pocket watches played a crucial role as essential timepieces for everyday tasks. The “GSTP” pocket watches, featuring a 15-jewel movement, luminous dial, and subsidiary seconds dial, emerged as the dependable workhorses of the Army’s horological instruments.
*Condition*
The face is in good condition with some signs of wear and tear especially near the 10 and there is some wear to the lumen. The stem works to pull to change the time and to wind the watch. The second hand works and the watch appears to keep time. The case has some areas of metal coming through the nickel and minor scratches and marks commensurate with its age and service. We can open the watch on request. Case is in overall good condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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