Stainless steel open faced military watch Circa 1919/1945

A Swiss stainless steel military manual wind open faced pocket watch for the French Armed Forces, movement circa 1919, cased circa 1945. Jewelled Swiss lever movement, cut and compensated bimetallic balance, snail regulation. White enamel dial, black Arabic numerals, black outer minute track, subsidiary seconds at 6 and blued steel hands. Polished round case, screw down back engraved ‘Ministere de la Guerre 396’. Case, dial and movement signed. Comes with related research.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Ulysse Nardin Locle Suisse
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In 1919 Ulysse Nardin manufactured roughly 4500 movements to military specification destined for casing and military action during the Second World War and up to 1948. Less than 1000 would have been designated for the French Armed Forces with the current watch numbered 396.