Antique WWI DOXA Kaiserliche Marine Imperial German Navy Deck Watch Oversize 68

At the dawn of the 20th century, the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) was engaged in a fierce maritime arms race, rapidly expanding its fleet of formidable dreadnought battleships, heavily armored cruisers, and pioneering U-boats to contest global naval supremacy. Navigating these massive steel leviathans across volatile oceans required highly precise, specialized timing instruments that could withstand the rigorous environments of naval warfare.

To meet these exacting military standards, the German Admiralty commissioned the esteemed Swiss watchmaker DOXA. Having already secured prestigious Grand Prix exhibition medals for its precision horology at Liège in 1905 and Milan in 1906, DOXA was uniquely positioned to deliver. This oversized 68mm deck watch was designed specifically for naval navigators and commanders. Its “Anti Magnetique” properties were highly advanced for the era, serving as a crucial defense against the massive magnetic fields generated by a dreadnought’s steel hull, heavy artillery, and early electrical equipment.

This specific timepiece is an exceptional, museum-quality artifact from the First World War. Surviving military examples featuring such deeply engraved naval iconography, pristine dials, and intact patriotic motifs are exceedingly rare and highly coveted by serious antiquarian collectors of early 20th-century militaria and maritime history.

Item Specifications

• Maker: DOXA (Le Locle, Switzerland)

• Era: WWI Era (Circa 1910s)

• Type: Military Deck Watch / Oversized Pocket Watch

• Dimensions: 68mm (Oversized for high visibility)

• Case Material: Argentan (Heavy-duty Nickel Silver)

• Condition: Perfect working condition, impeccably preserved

Comprehensive Description

The Case

• The timepiece is housed in an imposing, oversized 68mm open-face case. Crafted from durable Argentan metal, the case was specifically designed to endure heavy naval use while resisting saltwater corrosion.

• The exterior back cover serves as a breathtaking historical canvas. It features a magnificent, deep engraving of a formidable Imperial dreadnought battleship cutting fiercely through the ocean waves, complete with detailed gun turrets, rigging, and a ram bow.

• Directly beneath the detailed warship, the case is proudly inscribed with the naval branch title “Kaiserliche Marine,” rendered in a traditional, highly stylized gothic typeface.

• The inner case back is officially stamped with the DOXA trademark, “METAL ARGENTAN,” and “DOXA DEPOSE,” alongside the unique serial number 1036613.

• The inner dust cover (cuvette) displays a beautifully engraved series of four overlapping grand exhibition medals. This decorative homage is flanked by the text “MEDAILLE D’OR MILAN 1906” and “HORS CONCOURS LIEGE 1905”, proudly encircling the central DOXA signature.

The Dial

• Protected beneath the crystal is a brilliant, flawless white enamel dial that perfectly balances stark military utility with powerful patriotic design.

• The dial is clearly signed “Anti Magnetique” and “* DOXA *” just below the 12 o’clock position in elegant script.

• Time is indicated by highly legible, bold black Arabic numerals for the primary 1-12 hours, ensuring rapid readability on a dimly lit ship deck. An outer 13-24 hour military time track is printed in a precise, contrasting light blue.

• The oversized subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o’clock mark is historically significant, featuring a bold, deeply colored German Iron Cross (Schwarzes Kreuz) emblem at its center.

• Arching directly above the Iron Cross is the traditional German military motto “Gott mit uns” (God with us).

• The dial is completed by original, ornate dark-toned spade and whip hands that provide excellent, immediate contrast against the bright white enamel.

The Movement

• At the heart of this naval instrument is a robust, high-grade DOXA mechanical manual-wind movement, which has been preserved in perfect working order.

• The mechanism features a clean, frosted silver-tone finish designed to resist tarnishing and is prominently signed “DOXA” on the main bridge.

• The timing regulator scale is clearly marked for precise navigational adjustments. The exposed winding gears, balance assembly, and polished steel components remain in exceptional aesthetic and mechanical condition, ticking strongly and ready for prominent display or careful use.

The watch comes with CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY&APPRAISAL FOR $3000

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