Here we have a rare survivor of the trials and tribulations of war. The watch is engraved to Charles Regent Ellis, Royal Flying Corps, service number 97988. He and the watch were a survivor of the sinking of HMS Osmanieh in Alexandria, Egypt, on the 31st December 1917, during the Great War.
Dating to 1916, we have a Silver Borgel trench watch, with the black enamel dial, with the white Arabic numerals. The case is marked with British hallmarking from London assay office, with the date letter ‘a’ for 1916 and the makers mark ‘AGR’ for Arthur George Rendell. It is a Borgel style case having the solid back, screw on front/movement section and large onion crown, with the waterproof properties. It has the cathedral style hands with the aged luminous in-fill. The clear dial has the sub-second register at 6 O’clock. The bezel has the classic coin edge finish of a Borgel case, which is well defined. It has the fixed bar lugs which the strap is fixed around. To the right is the large onion style crown, with the pin set below. The rear of the case is engraved; “R. Ellis 97988 R.F.C. Saved from ‘Osmanieh’ torpedoed Alexandira December 31st 1917.
To the inside is the above-mentioned British hallmarking with the serial number 483036, with the Borgel case marking. Inside is the Fontainemelon Calibre 7 movement, which has been recently serviced and is keeping acceptable time for antique trench watch.
The enamel dial is clean, clear and classic, in its black tone with the contrasting white tracks and hour markers. It has the white railroad track to the exterior for the minutes, with the diamond shaped indexes at 12, 3, 6 and 9. It has the bold Arabic numerals which have lost their luminous in-fill. The sub-seconds register is sunken into the dial at 6 O’clock. It has railroad track with Arabic 10 second graduations, 5 second dashes and single second marks. The second’s hand is original with the circular counterbalance and the brass tone.
The hour and minute hands are of Cathedral style and are also a brass tone. They have the luminous in-fill to the centre.
The case measures 35mm x 35mm which makes this a well-sized watch. The crown adds significant presence with its size, taking the total width to 40.5mm. The lugs also add further presence, extending from the case and taking the total length to 40mm. With a depth of 11.5mm, this is a neat watch sitting nicely on the wrist. The fixed bar lugs have a 12mm strap width, which was standard for the era.
It is a patented Borgel screw case which was innovative, providing protection against dust and moisture. The case is formed of a solid section with the fixed wire lugs. The movement fits within a threaded carrier ring with the bezel and glass fitting over the top. This is then screwed into the case, creating a seal. The crown and stem require removal for the case to screw and un-screw. This is achieved by pulling the crown out and holding it, whilst turning the bezel. The hands are pin set, by depressing the button below the crown. The solid back has the personal engraving.
Inside the case has the ‘FB’ mark with the serial number ‘483036’. It also has British hallmarking for silver by London assay office, with the date letter ‘a’ for 1916. It also has the markers mark ‘AGR’ (Arthur George Rendell) who were a prolific importer of early wrist watches, based in Clerkenwell Road, London EC.
The movement is a Fontainmelon calibre 7 which is a manual wind calibre. It has a jewel count of 15, with a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement has been recently serviced and has a daily variation on the wrist of 45 seconds a day.
On 17th December 1917, Osmanieh, carrying soldiers and medical personnel left Southampton for Alexandria, with a stop over in the Southern Italian port city of Taranto. Taranto was reached on the 28th of December and on the 31st of December Osmanieh entered Alexandria. Before the harbour entrance, the steamer was struck amidships on the starboard side at the position 31°10′8″N 29°48′3″E by a naval mine left a few days earlier by the German submarine SM UC-34.
The ship sank in five to seven minutes, killing 209 people. This included her captain and 23 of the crew, a Royal Navy officer, 166 other ranks and eight nurses of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.
Charles Regent Ellis was brought into the Great War on the 1st October 1917 as a member of the R.F.C. in the role position of Mechanic and a Motor Cyclist (dispatch rider). His medal records stated thar he was 5 foot 6, with a 37 ½ inch chest.
He transferred the RAF on the 1st of April 1918 and later to the RAF reserves on the 21st March 1919. He was discharged on the 30th April 1920.
He spent his time in the campaign in the Middle east, from the 10th of December 1917 until the 4th of February 1919.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is good condition for the age. It is formed of enamel and has the black tone. The railroad track is good with the clear arabic numerals in white. The sub-second dial is good and clear.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in decent condition. They are of cathedral style and are a brass tone. They have been re-lumed with an aged tone. The sub-second hand is also original.
Glass:
The glass would appear original, with the bevelled edge. It has some marking associated with age and scratching.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light marking associated with age.
Case:
The case is formed of silver and is in good original condition. It is a Borgel design with the coin edge screw bezel movement carrier and solid outer case. The bezel is in good condition with the defined coin edge. It has some marks associated with age. The case is good with the polished finish and light scratching. The lugs are original, good and thick. They have some bending associated with age.
Caseback:
The solid case back is in good original condition with light surface scratching. It has the Military engraving.
Inside of case back:
The Inside of the case back is in good condition for the age, with the screw thread also good. It has slight marking with age. It has service etchings and British hallmarking for silver with the Borgel signing.
Strap:
The watch is currently on a 1930s two-piece leather strap. It is held in place with metal tabs and is in good vintage condition.
Movement:
The movement is a Fontainemelon 7 which is a manual wind calibre. It has a jewel count of 15, with a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement has been recently serviced and has a daily variation on the wrist of 45 seconds a day.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 35mm
Case width with crown: 40.5mm
Case length: 35mm
Case length lug to lug: 40mm
Case Depth: 11.3mm
Lug width: 12mm