*GSTP Army Issue WW2 Black faced Pocket Watch by Recta*
A Recta British military, pocket watch. A black enamel dial with Arabic numerals, lumed at the quarters. The face is signed “Recta, Swiss Made”. A snap on back and bezel. The back has the the British Broad Arrow, followed by the letters “G.S.T.P” followed by the army stores number “H10762” (G.S.T.P. stands for General Services Timepiece/Temporary Pattern, which indicates that the watch was purchased by the British government for the armed forces 1939-1945). 5cm diameter.
Recta is a Swiss watch company with a history that dates back to the late 19th century. In 1897, Antoine Muller (1861-1930) and Alcide Vaucher (1860-1924) founded a watch factory “Muller & Vaucher, Fabrique d’Horlogerie” in Biel, Switzerland. The company was renamed to “Recta SA, Fabrique d’Horlogerie” in 1917. In the 1920s, Recta was known for advertising for high grade watches and observatory certified chronometers using the Geneva seal, the quality stamp from the Geneva testing office “Bureau Officiel de l’Etat pour le contrôle facultatif des montres de Genève”. The company also participated in several chronometer competitions held by the Neuchâtel Observatory. Recta also became particularly well-known for its military watches. The brand produced watches for various military forces, including the German, British and Swiss Armies. These timepieces were valued for their robustness and precision, meeting the demanding requirements of military use. In 1984 the company was acquired by the Swiss watch company Mondaine.
*Condition*
The face is in good condition with some wear to the painted lumed Arabic numerals. 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 scratches and marks commensurate with its age and service. We can open the back on request. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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