Help me Identify this watch... WWII "Bell" ??

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

I have a thing for vintage WWII watches like Elgin GI watches, etc. I have never heard of "Bell" (except for the newer company "Bell & Ross" which is different)

Looks to be in the very similar design to typical 1940's service watches, and has similar markings.
I can find zip online about them. Anyone know anything? help me out?

Pics:

[JohnEcanuck]

I've never heard of Bell but it's not one of the formal military watch producers from WWII.

That said, it certainly looks to be from the 40s or 50s. The patina of the dial/crystal, the style of the hands, case, etc. all are period. It must be what, 34mm? Any idea of what the movement is?

I recently picked up a redialed RCAF WWII watch that is powered by an AS 894 movement, and the case seems to be an oddity, an E. Morf. I say odd because Roamer bought out the rights to use the E. Morf case, but they typically used their own prorprietary movement, and mine dates to the fall of 1941 to the spring of 1942. So Roamer might have used the AS movement as a stop gap until their in-house was ready. The redial was done in 1967 when the RCAF serviced and updated all service issued watches... so that tells me the owner was career air force.

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

I ended up winning the watch in an online auction for pretty cheap, and have not received it in the mail yet.
When it gets here I'll have to take off the back and see what movement it is.

[autotragik b3attlewagen]

UPDATE on this one.

Looks to be 1940's ish period correct.
Watch is dirty and has years of gunk on the outside from laying around (god knows where)
Was not working when I received it, but after a few min of playing around with it, the second hands wanted to move


Its a windup, so after fully finding and moving it around a bit, it works!
For sure needs to be cleaned and oiled though as runs slow. Will loose 5min or so every few hours.

Going to try to open it tonight and check the movement.

[JohnEcanuck]

I know a top watch maker who specializes in vintage pieces. He's in Canada, but has a platinum reputation for top drawer work. If you want his info, PM me.

[winstonsmith84]

Looks to be a rather common style of watch from the immediate post war era. The little chapter ring and red hand were common on military inspired watches marketed to ex servicemen and enthusiastic boys. I've got a Girard Perregaux bumper auto from the same period that is very similar. The case is nickeled brass with a Inox back. I'd bet dollars to donuts you will find a 15 or 17 J A. Schild movment.

You should be able to get it serviced by any competent watch maker for less than $100 ( maybe $60ish, which is what I paid for my last cleaning, but yours sounds like balance spring is busted so a little more). The real issue is the case wear. If you are looking to restore the watch, then you will need to have the case re-chromed which is very possible provided you are willing to pay for it. I've got a few like this that tend to get greenish and cruddy pretty quick and leave black marks on my wrist. Clean it up and wax the case gently with car wax and it will prevent this for a while.

I love the way old plastic crystals turn yellowish.

Clean it up, wear it and enjoy it.