In this video, we learn that the history of the officer watch is the history of wristwatches. The officer-style case originates from the fact that early wristwatches were originally pocket watches, or ladies’ pendant watches, that were strapped to the wrist, initially by officers during World War I. At this time, trench warfare and the use of artillery relied on precision timekeeping. Officers had to check the time quickly, and not having to unbutton a coat and search for a pocket watch was literally lifesaving. A quick glance at their wrists was all that was needed to tell the time – and they could keep their eyes on the potential danger of battle. Owning a timepiece in the early 20th century was still the privilege of the officer class, hence why mostly officers had the source of time during WWI.
John Reardon presents eight wristwatches inspired by the officer case style of the early wristwatches. The earliest example dates from 1989 when it was no coincidence that Patek Philippe decided to use the officer-style case for a series of limited edition watches to commemorate its important 150th Anniversary. Over the next 35 years, Patek Philippe has used the distinctive officer case for time-only, complicated and even Rare Handcraft watches, a selection of which can be seen in this video. John also shares a fascinating fact that master case maker Jean Pierre Hagmann recently told him: that the hinge of his sought-after cases open at an angle of 82 degrees— the best angle in his opinion to see the movement!
To learn more about Patek Philippe Officer cases, please see this article: https://collectability.com/learn/unhinged-the-history-of-the-officer-watch/
Let us know which watch is your favorite in the comments below.
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