Key Features
Intriguing 1930’s Stowa ‘Railway’ pocket watch. The enamel dial bears the winged Railways logo, while the lume on the numerals and hands glows brightly and efficiently. The RW ‘RoWi’ logo on the caseback stands for the famous ‘Rodi & Wienenberger’ casemaking company, registered in Pforzheim in 1935 – as you can see, this wath has a lot of historical connections. Indeed, the railways logo is something of a mystery. It looks likely that the logo is Prussian, dating from the 1920’s to the 1950’s (click for images and more information).
Stowa is a well-known German brand, renowned for high-quality timepieces. The movement, however, is Swiss, an enhanced quality machine from the 1950’s Unitas family.
About Stowa
Stowa, founded by Walter Storz Pforzheim in 1927, is a German brand well-known as a supplier of military and special purpose watches. The name is a portmanteau of the founder’s name, Storz Walter. Prior to WWII, Stowa produced wrist and pocket watches to the general public from their factories in Hornberg in the Black Forest, and later to Pforzheim in 1938. However, in 1940 the company managed to obtain the patents for the famous Ebauche movements used for the Observation Watches used and required by the German Military, and during this period the company grew in size and fame. By the end of the war, Stowa had suffered considerable damage and struggled to regain footing on the market. However, by 1945 they were able to start manufacturing again, producing affordable everyday watches, jewellery watches, and later, quartz watches.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly. There is a 12-month guarantee, subject to the usage and care guidelines.
Overview
Case
- Original, comfortably rounded case.
- Brass with chrome plating.
- Front convex mineral crystal.
- Double, flip caseback.
- Onion shaped chrome plated crown.
Dimensions:
- Width 51.2 mm.
- Height 66 mm.
Dial and Hands
- Original white, luminescent yellow and black tone combination enamel dial.
- Lumed geometric style Arabic numerals.
- Railway markers around outer edge.
- “Stowa” signature with Railway emblem below 12.
- Small seconds display at 6.
- Lumed ‘squelette’ style hands.
- Small seconds hand.
Movement
- Swiss-made movement.
- Unitas calibre.
- 15 jewels.
- Gilt movement.
- Satin brushed wheels and polished screws.
Testing Results
- Testing duration: 2 weeks face up.
- Average timekeeping range: 20-45 sec/day.
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- 12-month warranty.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
Links and Resources:
Walter Storz Registered Trademarks, incl. Stowa.
Stowa Pocket Watch KM for Kriegsmarine.
