German Dienstuhr watch

[hcliffe]

Thoughts and comments on this watch please.

[Erich B.]

Looks okay to me--Moeris was a maker mark found on originals.
Erich

[hcliffe]

Thanks for your reply Erich.

[Lauritz]

Moeris was one of the multitude of manufacturers supplying the armed forces around the world.
This one supplied to and issued by the Wehrmacht.
The D in front and H at the end is for Deutsches Heer.

We take a time piece of some sort for granted today, but before WW2 the vast majority of people relied on the factory or church clocks.

The specification for most of these issued watches was for a quality movement, many if not most have a 17jewel movement. It has a screw on caseback, which is also a sign of quality, as the watch could be made more water resistant.


The strap is wrong though. It should consist of two parts, each attached to the (removable) spring bars.
Most straps were made from leather, I have noticed that pigs leather was used most commonly for some reason.

If it works and you want to wind it up, ( and use it!) please do not do this before it is serviced by a proper watchmaker.

[hcliffe]

Good input, thanks Lauritz.

[Lauritz]

If you remove the caseback it should be possible to determine the manufacturer of the movement.
Does it work?

To check an movement for function, the best is to very slowly wind it.
A few turns, max 10 or so, should start it up.

You should feel a faint ‘clicking’ feeling in the crown ( the bit you wind).

The reason a mechanical movement needs to be serviced is that the lubricating oils move away from where they should be, or dry out, or get harder.

Modern oils are much better.

Note that not many so called ‘ watchmakers’ can service a movement. If you are interested in having a such job done, search the Internet, or go into a shop that sells quality watches ( Omega, Rolex, Jaeger le Coultre and similar) as they know who can do it.

According to a quick internet search you do have one or two that I would trust, in St Louis.

Your watch looks to be in a very nice outside condition, but the hands have been replaced.

IMO worth a service.
IF it works.
If not working = not worth that cost. IMO!
Unless you get a quote.

[hcliffe]

Thanks again Lauritz. This watch was offered to me, but I did not buy it, so I do not have it.