Here we have a lovely circa 1938 9ct gold tank watch by Ditus. This watch has an interesting engraving to the rear, making it property of a member of the RAF during WW2. It has the 9ct gold rectangular Dennison case, with hallmarking from Birmingham assay office. The design to the bezel and top of the case is eye-catching with the facetted design which catches the light. The lugs also have a downturned facetted design. The dial is silver with the black railroad minute track. It has the square sub-second register, with the applied gold tone polished Arabic numerals. It is signed ‘Ditus Geneve’ and ‘Non Magnetic’. It has the gold tone Plume style hands with the original sub-second hand. It is engraved to the rear ‘1241900 Kew C.E. R.A.F. 12-10-41, Age 21’. The movement is a manual wind ETA calibre 717, which has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.
The case is a real joy on this watch. It is a high quality 9ct gold Dennison case which is made in England. It has a unique design to the bezel, with the ridged centre and facetted design which creates many angles that reflect the light. The sides are bevelled, along with the lugs with the downwards turns, that also flicker beautifully in the light.
It is well proportioned measuring just under 24mm wide, with a length of 33mm. It has further presence provided by the lug-to-lug length of 39.5mm. It is subtly angled to the wrist, with the thin depth of 7.5mm making it a comfortable wear.
It has the snap on back which is signed ‘1241900 Kew C.E. R.A.F. 12-10-41, Age 21’. Charles Edwin Kew enlisted at Cardington in April of 1940 and was part of the Royal Air Force. He survived the war and lived until the age of 75, passing in 1996.
Inside the case is signed with the Dennison name and hallmarking from Birmingham assay office for 9ct gold which date it to 1938.
The movement is an ETA 717. It is a manual wind movement with a jewel count of 15. It has a beat rate of 18,000 BPH and a 43 hour power reserve. It has been recently serviced and is in good condition. It’s keeping time to within +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 250 degrees and a beat error of 2.8m/s.
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 average condition for the age. The outer railroad track is clear as is the sub-second signing. The brand signing is slight worn. The hour markers are applied in a good tone and are good and bright. There are areas of dirt associated with age.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in average condition for the age. They are of plume style and have the gold tone finish.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and is in good condition with only light marking.
Crown:
The crown appears original and is in good condition with light marking associated with age.
Case:
The case is formed of 9ct gold and is in good unpolished condition, with no repairs. The bezel has a polished finish with light scratching. The sides of the case have the polished finish with light marking. It has no denting.
Caseback:
The case back is in good original condition with light surface scratching. It closes tightly to the case. It has the lightly brushed finish with the personal engraving to. Inside it is signed with Birmingham assay office marks for 9ct gold.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap, with metal tabs for fixed lugs.
Movement:
The movement is an ETA 717. It is a manual wind movement with a jewel count of 15. It has a beat rate of 18,000 BPH and a 43 hour power reserve.
The movement has been recently serviced and is in good condition. It’s keeping time to within +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 250 degrees and a beat error of 2.8m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 22.1mm
Case width with crown: 23.7mm
Case length: 32.75mm
Case length lug to lug: 39.5mm
Case Depth: 7.5mm
Lug width: 18mm