Swiss-Made, Military Order from the Wehrmacht, 1940’s
All military watches ordered by the Wehrmacht from Switzerland were made only with reliable lever escapements with a shock-proof balance axis staff. The cases were round, with a diameter of 32 – 36 mm, and provided increased protection from dust and moisture, and often from magnetic fields. Sometimes the movement was also placed on an additional shock-proof insert. The dial is always black (apart from the Kriegsmarine, where the dial is white), with contrasting white, easy-to-read Arabic numerals. The second hand is always small and positioned over the 6 o’clock numeral.
Many well-known Swiss companies tried to avoid putting their names on the dial, and usually signed products with fictitious brand names instead. Some companies (for example, Omega) refused to take orders for the German’s, and only produced watches for the British army. In contrast to Omega, the Longines factories produced chronometers for both Great Britain (WWW stamp) and Germany (DH stamp).
At the beginning of the Second World War, Germany ordered expensive watches for its officers. These watches had a steel case, an especially high-quality movement, high-level finishing and workmanship, and were supplied by Zenith, Longines, and Doxa. Later, when the financial capabilities of the Third Reich were mostly exhausted, Zenith supplied watches in chrome-plated brass cases. However, the back cover kept the same steel, screwed down, containing a brand stamp with a serial number.
Military watches were marked with the letter “D” followed by the serial number, followed by the letter “H”. While the Luftwaffe watches were marked “D” followed by the serial number only.
The following is a complete list of the companies who supplied military timepieces to Germany during WW2:
Acacia, Alpina, Arcadia, Arsa (now Auguste Reymond), Bielco, Bulla, Buren, BWC, Choisi, Civitas, Cronos, Dogma, Emco, ERA, Ercules, Etanche , Felco, Flora, The following is a complete list of the companies who supplied military timepieces to Germany during WW2: Acacia, Alpina, Arcadia, Arsa (now Auguste Reymond), Bielco, Bulla, Buren, BWC, Choisi, Civitas, Cronos, Dogma, Emco, ERA, Ercules, Etanche , Felco, Flora, Freco, Gala, Glycine, Grana, Gustonia, Hado, Helios, Helma, Helvetia, Leonidas, Longines, Madix, Milex, Mimo, Minerva, Moeris, Monitor, Mulco, Nisus, Page, Onda, OPE, Para , Phenix, Pierpont, Pronto, Record, Recta, Revue (now Revue Thommen), Siegerin, Silvana, Stabila, Stowa, Syntakt, Thiel, Titus, Tritona, Wagner, Zenith, Zentra.
The characteristic style of military watch designs: black dial, lume coated hands, and a small second hand. The original case is made of stainless steel, with the Zenith branding the numerals inside. The dial is original, without any previous restorations. The old acrylic crystal has been replaced with mineral glass for greater convenience and readability.
The back cover is screwed down, with the “D – H” marking – “Deutsches Heer” (‘German army’). The “DH” brand was used to designate a military order for the needs of the Wehrmacht.
A hand-wound movement with ruby jewels in the bridges, shock-resistant balance staff, and an additional shock-resistant insert inside the case. Diameter 29 mm, with the shape and gilding similar to an old pocket caliber, most likely from the late 1930’s – early 1940’s. The power reserve of the mechanism of more than 2 days, or about 52 hours. The accuracy is very good for a 60-year-old device.
On the whole, the watch is in very good condition; it has not been subject to any complicated restoration work. Actual size without a crown is 35 mm in diameter – comfortable to wear for every-day wear.
When you wear this Zenith on your wrist, the feelings are twofold: on one hand, it was worn on the wrist of a fascist and was not obtained peacefully, most likely taken from the body of a dead German officer. On the other hand, the watch is an important piece of history, and the sign of a great victory in a long and difficult war. It is a trophy that reminds one of strength and victory.
Related Links:
Catalogue of DH-D-DU German military watches.
