Rarest Officer Military Soldier Buttonhole Watch World War I WWI 1914 - 1918

Super rare and sought-after original WWI Officer's Buttonhole Watch

During World War I, the incredibly important task of telling time for coordinating attacks or artillery fire, for example, was a major problem: a proper wristwatch hadn't really been invented yet, a pocket watch was too cumbersome to pull out of a pocket when speed was essential, and the widespread pocket watch in a leather strap with a sleeve on the wrist, as worn by even Kaiser Wilhelm with his uniform, hindered the wearer and was very susceptible to damage in the trenches.

For this reason, many renowned Swiss manufacturers developed so-called "buttonhole watches" for officers, which were attached to, in, or with a buttonhole of the uniform – in the case of the ultra-small model in this offering, probably on the sleeve.

This high-quality solution, affordable only for officers, did not hinder wearing and reliably showed the time, like a later wristwatch.

An officer's buttonhole watch from World War I was a pocket watch worn in a way that allowed it to be quickly read without having to reach deep into a pocket. The name comes from the fact that the watch was often attached directly to the buttonhole of a uniform jacket

Features

• Period: approx. 1914–1918
• Size: Mostly small or specially made mini pocket watches (approx. 18mm - 2mm diameter).
• Movement: Manual winding with Swiss or German movements.
• Case: Silver, nickel silver, or nickel-plated metal; rarely gold.
• Wearing method: Attached to the buttonhole of the uniform jacket, allowing the watch to be read quickly.

Military Use

In World War I, accurate timekeeping was crucial for coordinating attacks and artillery fire. Many officers procured their watches privately, as they were not always official equipment. 

Some common brands include:

• Omega
• Longines
• Zenith
• Doxa
• Junghans
• Laco (known for pilot's watches somewhat later)

Collector's Value

The value depends on several factors:

• Manufacturer and rarity
• Original condition (dial, hands, case)
• Function of the movement
• Military markings or engravings
• Original chain or leather strap

Common officer's buttonhole watches from the World War I era often range from €150–€600. Rare brands, precious metal cases, or watches with verifiable military provenance can fetch €1,000 or significantly more.

Description:

Case diameter: 28mm, Dial diameter: 18mm, Height including crown: 40mm

Copper crown fluted, side pin for setting the time. Material silver and metal, white enamel dial with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minutes on the outer edge

Pressed back, gold-plated manual winding movement with Swiss patent marks

The super rare historical military artifact starts and runs (accuracy not tested)

Condition 2: best vintage condition, sets, starts, and runs