Extremely Rare c. 1940s German Navy U-Boat Officer Award Silver Pocket Watch

Up for auction is a museum-quality and exceedingly rare silver Longchamp pocket watch, specially commissioned for the German Navy in the 1940s. This exceptional 50mm timepiece was an exclusive presentation piece awarded to a U-Boat (submarine) officer.

Finding military-issued or awarded timepieces from this era is uncommon, but discovering one in mint condition is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This watch represents a pinnacle of mid-century Swiss horology adapted for intense maritime military service.

Naval Precision and the Submarine Fleet

During the 1940s, the German Navy relied heavily on its submarine fleet for maritime operations. In the claustrophobic and highly tactical environment of a U-Boat, precision timekeeping was not a luxury; it was a critical tool for survival. Accurate watches were required for dead-reckoning navigation, timing torpedo runs, measuring oxygen depletion, and coordinating complex fleet maneuvers beneath the surface.

Watches of this caliber were not standard enlisted issue. Specially commissioned pieces by esteemed Swiss makers like Longchamp were typically privately purchased by high-ranking commanders or presented as prestigious awards to submarine officers to commemorate successful patrols, extraordinary leadership, or acts of valor at sea. This piece stands as a pristine artifact of 1940s naval history.

Detailed Specifications

• Manufacturer: Longchamp (Swiss).

• Era / Circa: 1940s.

• Military Branch: German Navy (Submarine / U-Boat Fleet).

• Case Material: Solid Silver.

• Case Diameter: 50mm (A substantial, highly legible size designed for naval officers).

• Case Details: The impressive solid silver case features a meticulously engine-turned guilloché back with a central crest cartouche. The silver maintains a brilliant luster, highlighting the exceptional mid-century craftsmanship.

• Dial: Pristine white dial featuring high-contrast, bold Arabic numerals designed for low-light visibility in a submarine command room. A clearly defined sub-seconds register is located at the 6 o’clock position. 

• Hands: Distinctive, blued steel Breguet hands offering excellent readability against the bright dial.

• Movement: Premium Longchamp manual-wind Swiss mechanical movement.

Condition Report

Please refer to all high-resolution photos as they are a primary part of the visual description.

• Overall Condition: Mint / Near-New Old Stock (NOS). It is exceptionally rare for a naval military watch of this vintage to survive in such immaculate condition.

• Dial: Flawless. The dial is incredibly crisp with no hairline fractures, chips, or fading.

• Case: The 50mm silver case is pristine, retaining sharp details on the engine-turned back. The hinges are tight, and all covers snap shut firmly and flush.

• Movement: Visually immaculate. The plates and gears are bright and exceptionally clean. (Note to collectors: While the watch is in mint visual condition, as with all vintage timepieces, a professional lubrication by a watchmaker is recommended if you intend to use it for daily timekeeping).

• Crystal: Clear, scratch-free, and perfectly preserved.

This pristine Longchamp U-Boat officer’s watch is a true investment-grade artifact. It will serve as an unupgradable centerpiece for any serious collection of naval history or mid-century military timepieces.

The watch comes with an APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE FOR $2500