1918 WW1 / Trench Watch Elgin Rare White Star Dial "Foch"

 

The 1918 Elgin "Foch" Trench Watch with the rare White Star dial is one of the more desirable American military-style wristwatches from the World War I era. While not an official U.S. Army-issued model, it is closely associated with the trench watches worn by American and Allied soldiers during the final year of the war.

Elgin "Foch" Trench Watch (c. 1918)

• Manufacturer: Elgin National Watch Company
• Year: 1918
• Nickname: "Foch"
• Type: Trench wristwatch
• Movement: Typically an Elgin manual-wind movement with 15 jewels (specifications vary by example)
• Case Size: Approximately 33–35 mm
• Case Material: Usually sterling silver, nickel, or gold-filled, depending on the model
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Dial: Rare White Star enamel dial with luminous Arabic numerals
• Hands: Cathedral-style luminous hands
• Lugs: Fixed wire lugs designed for leather military straps

Why It Is Called the "Foch"

The watch is commonly known by collectors as the "Foch", a name inspired by Marshal Ferdinand Foch (1851–1929), the French military commander who served as the Supreme Allied Commander during the final offensives of World War I. Many watch companies of the era named models after prominent Allied leaders or wartime themes to capitalize on patriotic sentiment. The nickname is a marketing name rather than an official military designation.

The Rare White Star Dial

The White Star dial is prized because:

• It is much less common than the standard black military-style dial.
• The white enamel dial provides excellent legibility with bold black Arabic numerals.
• Many examples feature radium-filled numerals and hands, which originally glowed in low light (collectors should be aware that original radium paint remains radioactive and should be handled appropriately).

Historical Significance

By 1918, trench warfare had demonstrated the practicality of wristwatches over pocket watches. Elgin responded by producing rugged wristwatches with wire lugs, luminous dials, and reliable manual movements. Although many Elgin trench watches were purchased privately by soldiers rather than issued by the military, they became closely associated with American servicemen during the war.

Collectibility

The Elgin "Foch" is highly collectible because of its:

• Connection to the World War I era.
• Rare White Star dial variant.
• Attractive cathedral hands and enamel dial.
• Historical association with the transition from pocket watches to military wristwatches.