Swiss anti-magnetic centre seconds lever watch Circa 1940

Stainless steel G.C.T. precision watch made for the U.S. Army Corps
–
A very fine, rare and unusual Swiss stainless steel open faced anti-magnetic centre seconds keyless lever Greenwich Civil Time (G.C.T.) precision pocket watch with 24-hour dial and power reserve indication made for the U.S. Army Corps, circa 1940. Nickel-silver movement, 21 jewels, a straight-line gold lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperature, self-compensating balance spring, eccentric snail-type micrometre regulator and indirect centre seconds. Matte silver dial with painted 24-hour graduation, an outer minute track, a sector for the power reserve indication below 12 and original blued steel feuille hands. The polished case with an inner anti-magnetic cover. Dial, case and movement signed.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Signed: Agassiz Watch Co Swiss
–
G.C.T. (Greenwich Civil Time) watches were used for navigational purposes on military aeroplanes. The U.S. Army Corps typically ordered these timepieces from American watch manufacturers such as Hamilton, Elgin and Waltham. With increased demand due to World War II, Swiss companies like Agassiz and Longines also supplied similar precision timepieces. Upon delivery, watches were secured in special U.S.-made cases, fixed by four helical springs to ensure superior shock protection during combat flight missions, plus increased anti-magnetic shielding. This lot is unusual for its silver, rather than black, dial. The movement’s curved wheel train bridge is evocative of prominent American watchmaker Albert Potter’s elegant designs.
–
Agassiz Watch Co. S.A. was founded in 1876 and specialized in high-quality watches. A new calibre was designed based on regular 19”’ watch movements, smaller in diameter and as slim as technically possible. The firm designed entirely new and even thinner movements: first 17”’- 24/12th, then 20/12th and 17/12th. Later, Agassiz merged with Touchon & Co., Geneva, which specialized in very thin movements.