Vintage West End Watch Co Sowar Black Dial Arabic Day Date Manual 17J Swiss Box

About this watch

A characterful West End Sowar made for the Middle Eastern market. The black dial has a gold-tone chapter ring with a fine minute track, the West End Watch Co. and "Sowar" signatures, and a day window in Arabic with an Arabic-numeral date window below. A red-tipped seconds hand adds a touch of colour.

The 33mm case has a screw-down back stamped with the West End Watch Co. "Everbright" seal, Swiss Made, and the numbers D 9587 / 9899. Inside is a 17-jewel Swiss manual-wind movement. It is worn on a steel expanding bracelet and comes with a West End Watch Co. box.

Brand heritage

The West End Watch Company was established to export Swiss watches to India and took its name in 1886, when Arnold Amstutz and Constant Droz bought the business. It had offices in Switzerland, Bombay and Calcutta. For India and the East the company used the name Sowar, a Persian word for "one who rides" that was given to cavalry troopers in India. West End watches were famous for their toughness in hot, humid climates.

Why this one is special

• Sowar, West End's legendary name for India and the East
• Arabic day and date display
• Robust 17-jewel Swiss manual-wind movement
• Comes with a West End Watch Co. box

Specifications

• Brand / Model: West End Watch Co. Sowar
• Case numbers: D 9587 / 9899
• Era: vintage, circa 1960s
• Movement: Swiss manual wind, 17 jewels
• Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds, day (Arabic) and date
• Case: approx. 33 mm, screw-down back, Everbright
• Dial: black with gold-tone chapter ring
• Bracelet: steel expanding, 16 mm

Condition

Vintage pre-owned condition. The dial shows visible age patina and wear to the gold-tone chapter ring, and the case and bracelet show light scratches from use. Please check all photos carefully as they are part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The watch and a West End Watch Co. box.

Shipping & Returns

Ships from Cairo, Egypt. Please see the shipping and returns details in this listing.