*GSTP, Military Issue, WW2, Black-faced, Pocket Watch, Swiss Made*
An unsigned, Swiss Made, British Military pocket watch. A white metal nickel open face case which has a snap on back and bezel. A black enamel dial with Arabic numerals and lumen on the quarters, “Swiss Made” is inscribed at the base of the clock. The back has “GS/TP”, (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), followed by the British Broad Arrow and then the army reference number 197400. 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. Black faced pocket watches appear to be rare.
*Condition*
The face is in good condition with some wear to the enamel and 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 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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