Description
Produced for the German Navy, these Class III Navigational Watches were used for general service needs aboard the ship. Due to a lack of supplies vs. demand, many civilian watches were requisitioned from the producers, suppliers, and importers.
Made of a steel case, this Swiss-made Solvil Close Combat Deck Watch is in EXCELLENT functioning condition, and is is featured on page 280 in Dr. Konrad Knirim’s, “Military Timepieces” book. Though the crystal shows some light scratches, the dial and hands are in near MINT condition, with NO damage or corrosion! Note that because I use a camera flash, the scratches show up more pronounced than they actually are in-person. The manufacture name is clearly marked on the face, and was manufactured in 1940. Being in used condition, the case does show some signs of wear (scratches, marks, patina), but it is in otherwise VERY NICE condition for its age. Dial features a very clear, “KM” (indicating, “Kriegsmarine”), and the the reverse is engraved with the initials, “LE“. As noted in Dr. Knirim’s book, this style and type of engraving is the same as used on the back of the the Close Combat Time Pieces, so it is most likely from that type of unit. Th