West End Watch Co. - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

This watch is truly historic because it is the heir to a model that equipped British troops at the beginning of the 20th century, hence the name. I particularly appreciate the typography of the numbers, as well as the hands, slightly disproportionate to the relatively modest dial. Finally, the very thick glass in the shape of a beveled dome sublimates the tenderly old-fashioned character of the timepiece.

Acquired almost 5 years ago in the famous Bordeaux boutique Horel, this West End was my first watch exceeding a certain budget, the one that had crossed the threshold of "why not celebrate this" because in fact it sealed forever several events in my life that happened at the same time as the birth of my second daughter that year. To celebrate my success, a Swiss and gold watch was essential for me! A 37mm case, an ETA caliber with an open back, an ultra solar watch that I am proud to wear on special occasions, or in 90s sports mode or in stage costume... my first Swiss watch. Okay, some will say that it looks like a Rolex day date but in my defense, at that time, I had no knowledge of Rolex and it was much later that I noticed the resemblance. This brand is more than a hundred years old, one of the few not to have stopped its production despite the quartz crisis and was worn by Lawrence of Arabia's army. The little detail that I like is the arched arrangement of the brand on the dial that reminds me of a sign in the Wild West and the inscription below "Sowar" (which is a soldier on horseback in India). Wearing it I will always remember this walk in town with my wife and children, one of whom was about to be born a few days later.