Here we have an uncommon, early central second trench style watch by Stauffer & Son from the WW1 period. It has a 9ct rose gold tone case with the snap-on bezel and double hinged back. The bright white enamel dial is original, with the detailed seconds track, minute railroad track and bold luminous in-filled Arabic numerals. The red 12 O’clock and 60 second markers are eye-catching aspects. It has thermally blued Cathedral style hands, with the luminous in-fill. The central second hand is clear, being red painted. Inside it has hallmarking from London assay office, dating to 1915. It has the ‘CN’ makers mark for Charles Nicolet. The movement has the gilt frosted finish with the Stauffer & Son signing. It is an uncommon early central second calibre manufactured by Orion. It is keeping accurate time for the age and running strongly.
 
Stauffer, Son & Co. were an important Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1830. They set up a London office to import watches from the Swiss factory and sell them into the British market and British Empire. This led them to become the largest importer of Swiss watches in Britain, bringing watches by Patek Philippe, Le Coultre, IWC, Fontainemelon and Eterna.
 
It has a classic bright white enamel dial which has the bold Arabic numerals with the aged tone luminous in-fill. This is surrounded by the railroad minute track, with the detailed seconds track around the exterior. The seconds track has four second dashes, with the wider mark for each 5 second interval. The outside of the dial has the clear 5 second graduations with the red 60 which matches the red 12 O’clock marker. The luminous in-fill of the hour markers has been expertly restored.
The hands are of classic Cathedral style with the thermally blued tone catching the light. The central second hand stands out with its red painted finish, tying in with the 12 O’clock and 60 second marker.
 
The case is well proportioned, measuring 33mm x 33mm, with the onion style crown taking the total width to 37mm. It has a lug-to-lug measurement of 38mm which adds presence, whilst the watch is comfortable on the wrist with its depth of 12mm. The lug width is classic for the era, at 12mm wide.
 
The case is formed of 9ct gold and is a pleasing rose gold tone. The bezel has the polished finish and snaps into place and holds the crystal, protecting the dial. To the centre section are the fixed bar lugs which are sturdy and unbent. To the right is the large, rose gold tone Onion style crown, which is a lovely design touch. Above is the pin set, which is depressed to turn the crown and set the time. The rear of the case has the double hinged back which protects the watch from dust and moisture. The case back is free of any engraving and has the polished finish matching the sides and the bezel.
It opens to reveal numerous service etchings to the inside, with the hallmarking for 9ct gold from London assay office dating to 1915. It has the ‘CN’ makers mark for Charles Nicolet, known case makers for Stauffer & Son, as well as IWC.
The inner hinged back has the polished finish, with the matching serial number and hallmarking to the inside.
 
The movement has the gilt frosted finish with the Stauffer & Son signing. It is an uncommon early central second calibre manufactured by Orion, denoted as a Cal 11’’’ S.C. ref 1112 A. It is a manual wind calibre with a split bi-metallic balance and blued steel hairspring with overcoil. The movement is running well, but the service history in unknown. It’s keeping time to +75 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 285 degrees and a beat error of 3.4m/s.
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is enamel and is original. It is in good antique condition with no big fractures or chips. It has a hairline fracture across the dial from 5 O’clock to 11 O’clock. There is a very light chip above 7 o’clock. The signing is very good and clear. The luminous in-fill has been expertly restored.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are of cathedral style. They are thermally blued and have darkened with age but still shine in the light. The luminous in-fill has been expertly restored.
 
Glass: 
The crystal is an acrylic replacement which is in good condition with no marking.
 
Crown: 
The crown is appears original of onion style and is in good antique condition, as is the pin set. It functions as it should.
 
Case:
The case is formed of 9ct gold and is in original condition. It is in good antique condition, having polished with age, with some light scratching and small deeper marks. The bezel snaps on and is secure. The fixed bar lugs are good and sturdy.
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of gold and is in good antique condition. It snaps in place securely and the hinge is good. Inside it has lots of service etchings and hallmarking for 9ct gold.
 
Inner hinged back:
The inner hinged back snaps tightly in place. It is in good antique condition with the polished finish and light marking associated with age. The hinge is good. 
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap. 
 
Movement: 
The movement is an Orion Cal 11’’’ S.C. ref 1112 A, which is a pin set, manual wind calibre. It has a jewel count of 15 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has a split bi-metalic balance with blued steel hairspring with overcoil.
 
The movement is running well, but the service history in unknown. It’s keeping time to +75 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 285 degrees and a beat error of 3.4m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 33mm
Case width with crown: 37mm 
Case length: 33mm 
Case length lug to lug: 38mm
Case Depth: 12mm
Lug width: 12mm