Here we have a pleasing example of a 1916 WW1 period Omega Silver trench watch, which was retailed by Jas Pascoe jewellers in New Zealand. It has a well sized 34mm case, with the snap-on bezel, wire lugs and double hinged case back. It has a clean white enamel dial, with the stylised Arabic numerals and sunken sub-dial. It is proudly signed with the Omega name and logo, with the Jas Pascoe retailer name. It has the thermally blued spade and whip hands which shine brightly in the light. It has the onion style crown which has a sharp finish and catches the eye. The double hinged back is signed inside with the Omega logo, Swiss hallmarking and matching serial number. Inside is the Omega calibre 13 SB movement, which is manual wind and is keeping reliable time after its recent service.
 
The watch has a classic white enamel dial with the black minute markers to the exterior. The Arabic numerals are in a stylised Italic font which is typical of the era. It is signed below 12 O’clock with the Omega logo and name, with the retailer signing ‘Jas Pascoe, Auckland and Hamilton N.Z.’. Either side of 6 O’clock it is signed Swiss Made, with the sunken sub-second dial. It has a railroad track with the individual seconds graduations and 10 second Arabic markers. The sub-second hand is thermally blued with the lollipop counterbalance. The hour and minute hands are of spade and whip style which are thermally blued, which catches the eye. 
The silver case measures 34mm x 34mm, with the large lug-to-lug presence of 51mm due to the silver wire attachments for the strap. It has the polished snap-on bezel which is secure and holds the bevelled mineral crystal. The lugs are fixed to the top and bottom of the centre of the case with the articulated wire bars for the strap. To the right is the onion style crown which has a beautiful, sharp finish. The case back is hinged, with the polished finish. Inside it is signed with the Omega logo, Swiss 925 hallmarking and the serial number 6706090. The inner hinged back also has a polished finish and further protects the movement. Inside it has further Swiss hallmark stamps, Omega signing and the matching serial number.
 
The movement is an Omega calibre 13 SB. It is a manual wind movement, which has a jewel count of 15 and has a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement has been recently serviced and is running well and keeping time to within +40 seconds a day. 
It is an appealing movement aesthetically with the classic bridge shape of early Omegas. It also has the engraved pattern to the balance cock and the Art Deco stylised ‘Omega’ signing. The serial number dates it to 1916.
 
Overall, this is a pleasing example, with a well sized case and quality movement. It also has an interesting appeal to the New Zealand market, with very few watches making the journey to be retailed in these far corners, in the early years of wrist watches.
 
Jas Pascoe 
Established in 1906 by James Pascoe, a fully qualified jeweller. The first store was at Three Lamps in Ponsonby, Auckland. The company was incorporated in 1937 and expanded from the one store in Auckland, to 40 stores nationwide. 
 
James realised the importance of window displays early on in his retailed career. The Hamilton store had beautiful full-length windows which maximised the impact and display area.
 
The company has been under the direction of James’ granddaughter, Anne Norman and her husband David since the 1980s. Under their control the family jeweller has turned into a retail empire encompassing eight New Zealand and Australian retailers. 
 
Modern day Pascoes are the leading jewellers in New Zealand and stock the largest range of jewellery and watches. They are also one of the largest businesses and employers in the country. 
 
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 condition with no fractures or chips to the main face. It has a slight nick to the outside, between 4 and 5 O’clock. There are two hairlines to the dial, but these aren’t very prominent. The signing is very good and clear.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are of spade and whip style. They are thermally blued and have a bright tone. There are some slight marks.
 
Glass: 
The glass is an antique mineral replacement which is in very good condition with only some light marking.
 
Crown: 
The crown is a period replacement which is in good condition. It has a sharp coin edge finish and functions well.
 
Case:
The case is formed of silver and has a snap on bezel. The bezel is good and secure, with light marking and nicks associated with ageing. The sides are also in good condition for the age, with some light marking and nicks. The silver coupling for the lugs have ageing and are slightly bent. The cuffs that meeting the wire are slightly shortened. The silver wire strap attachment are good and original. They articulate to fit the wrist.
 
Caseback:
The hinged case back is in good condition for the age, closing securely. It has the polished finish with light scratching. The hinge is good, opening to 90 degrees. Inside it is signed with the Swiss hallmarking, Omega name and serial number.
 
Inner hinged back:
The inner hinged back is in good condition for the age, closing securely. It has the polished finish with light scratching. The hinge is good, opening to 90 degrees. Inside it has the Swiss hallmarking and matching serial number.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new Condor leather strap, designed for fixed lugs, which glues on.  
 
Movement: 
The movement is an Omega calibre 13 SB. It is a manual wind movement, which has a jewel count of 15 and has a frequency of 18,000 BPH. 
 
The movement has been recently serviced and is running well and keeping time to within +40 seconds a day. It has an amplitude of 330 degrees and a beat error of 3.2m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 34mm
Case width with crown: 37mm 
Case length: 34mm 
Case length lug to lug: 51mm
Case Depth: 12mm
Lug width: 12mm