2.0218 West End Watch Co ‘Sowar-Prima’, Automatic Steel, 1960’s

£225.00 (incl. VAT)

1960’s WEST END WATCH CO ‘Sowar’ model military style wristwatch. Perfect condition with a 33.5mm solid stainless steel case, black dial in excellent condition with re-lumed military style numerals, and original silver-tone hands. Features a date window with quick-set date at 6, and a stainless steel caseback with the West End Watch Company emblem engraved at the centre. This timepiece is a treat to behold, in great aesthetic and technical condition, and with a high quality automatic movement with hand winding inside. The watch has undergone full servicing with disassembly in our Bristol workshop and comes with a 12-month warranty and new, 18mm khaki green seatbelt style nylon strap.

Out of stock

Key Features

1960’s, perfect military style wristwatch with a solid stainless steel case housing a quality Swiss automatic movement inside. The dial is a perfectly preserved shiny black, with authentic-looking military-style numerals (re-lumed to replace radioactive lume). This watch model is named after the famous mounted warriors who served in the Indian Army before Independence in 1947. They were known as Sowars, meaning ‘cavalrymen’ – one of the elite troops of the Indian army who rode on horseback.

About the West End Watch Co.

The West End Watch Co Bombay-Calcutta was founded in 1886 by Arnold Amstutz and Constant Droz. The name is inspired by The West End district of London, however the company’s primary focus was the distribution of their watches overseas to the Indian and Middle Eastern markets. The brand has an impressive history spanning 120 years, producing the first waterproof pocket watch in 1886, and providing British and Indian armed forces with West End Watch Co watches during the First World War. The company still exists and produces watches to this day.

Servicing and Guarantee

This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly. There is a 12-month guarantee, subject to the usage and care guidelines. The watch comes with a new, khaki green seatbelt style nylon strap.

Overview

Case and Strap

  • Circular case.
  • Solid stainless steel case body.
  • Pan-shaped acrylic crystal.
  • Stainless steel screw caseback.
  • Dustproof.
  • Khaki green seatbelt style nylon strap.

Dimensions:

  • Width w/o crown 33.5 mm.
  • Width w/ crown 35.5 mm.
  • Full height 41.4 mm.
  • Thickness 12 mm.
  • Strap width 18 mm.

Dial and Hands

  • Original black dial.
  • Military style Arabic numerals with lume (re-lumed).
  • West End Watch Co – Sowa” signature below numeral 12 position.
  • Date window over 6 position.
  • Original silver-tone ‘Mercedes’ style hands with lume (re-lumed).
  • Silver-tone centre seconds hand with tail.

Movement

  • Swiss-made movement.
  • ETA 2872 caliber.
  • 17 jewels.
  • Automatic with hand winding.
  • Quickset date.
  • Satin brushed gilt plates and bridges.
  • Mirror polished wheels and screws.

Testing Results

  • Testing duration: 2 week cyclic test.
  • Average timekeeping range: 10-25 sec/day.

Servicing and Guarantee

Links and Resources:

Official Website Brand History.

Blog Discussion of West End Watch Co Watch Models.

Telegraph Pocket Watch by West End Watch Co. 

Informative West-End-Watch Brand Summary Article.

Similar Sowar-Prima Model. 

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Case material

Solid stainless steel

Dial tone

Black/dark

Origin

Swiss

Size grade

32-35 mm

Year approx

1950