For sale we have a quality mid-sized 29mm wristwatch dating to the 1940s by West End Watch Co. It has a clear and well laid out dial, designed for legibility with lumed Arabic numerals and 1/5 second graduations, with sweep central seconds. The hands have the original radium lume and are beautifully thermally blued. It is a watch with military use in mind and encapsulated within its DNA. 
The model is the ‘Sowar’ Prima, which has a Freres Borgel, Tauberts & Fils full Stainless-Steel case. They were one of Genevas finest case makers, designing quality dirt and moisture resistant cases. Inside is a quality FHF calibre with central second hand and Incabloc shockproofing. It has been recently serviced.
 
West End Watch Company were based in Geneve and St Imier in Switzerland. The company had a major presence in Bombay and Calcutta in India. The watches were designed to suit and aimed at British colonial officials and troops. In WW1 a large contingent of British and Indian soldiers were sent from Bombay to the Persian Gulf, to reach Mesopotamia, and this force received some West End Watch Co watches.
 
By 1914 West End was manufacturing watches marked C.S. for the Civil Service in India and Indian Military that were under British control. These watches were also produced in the 1940s by other brands, including; Omega, Tissot, Londines, Leonidas and Favre-Leuba. This is not a civil service example, but I have had the exact model with CSI signing before.
 
In Bombay, West End were agents for Longines watches, meaning that West End watches can sometimes be found with Longines movements. 
 
The Sowar model name was registered in 1938. It translates to ‘The Cavalry man’ and was registered in honour of Sir Thomas Edward Lawrence (of Arabic), who apparently, along with his men, wore West End Watches. 
 
In 1934, Societe des Montres West End SA was attributed with the first use of Incabloc shock protection, which was accompanied with the use of the word ‘Prima’ on the dials.
 
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 in strong condition. It has a silver satin powder which has speckled ageing around and yellowing in areas. The red signing is good and clear. The Arabic numerals are original and clear with original lume, with clear seconds track.
 
Hands: 
The hands are of luminous cathedral style and are original. They are in good condition with original lume in-fill and bright thermally blued finish. The central second hand is also original.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition with no marking. 
 
Crown: 
The Steel crown is stainless steel and is original. It has some marking to the polished finish.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in strong condition. The case has polished finishing to the top which has light surface scratching. The sides of the case have the original brushed finish. There are some nicks to the case as expected. The fixed bar lugs are good, with the serial number visible between the lugs.
 
Caseback:
The screw on case back is in good condition for the age. It has the brushed finish which has naturally worn with age. To the centre is the West End logo. The case reference engraving is clear. There is light surface scratching associated with age and some deeper marks from poor opening.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a genuine leather strap for fixed bar lugs. 
 
Movement: 
The movement is an FHF calibre with a jewel count of 15. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and has a sweep second hand, with Incabloc shock protection.
 
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within -40 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 290 degrees and a beat error of 2.0m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 28.5mm
Case width with crown: 30.75mm 
Case length: 28mm 
Case length lug to lug: 34.5mm
Case Depth: 11mm
Lug width: 16mm