Vintage West End Watch Co Sowar Oman Flag Khanjar Dial Automatic Steel 35mm Box

About this watch

A striking West End Watch Co. Sowar wearing the full colours of the Sultanate of Oman. The dial is printed with the Omani national flag set at a bold diagonal: a white field with black minute markers carrying the "West End Watch Co" and red script "Sowar" signatures, a red band bearing the white Khanjar national emblem, and a green field in the lower right. Gilt sword hands with luminous inserts and a slim red seconds hand complete the look. The stainless steel case has the classic Sowar shape with integrated lug ends and a screw-down caseback signed "West End Watch Co - Everbright - Automatic". Worn on an expanding stainless steel bracelet and supplied in a brown West End Watch Co. box signed "by Aubry of Switzerland".

Brand heritage

West End Watch Co. was founded in 1886 and built its name supplying robust Swiss watches to India, where its watches became a staple of the army and the railways. The Sowar ("cavalryman") is the brand's best-known model, registered as a sub-brand in 1917 and still produced today. In 1973 the company passed to the Aubry Brothers of Noirmont, Switzerland, which dates this "by Aubry of Switzerland" box to the 1970s or later. Thanks to long trading links between India and the Gulf, West End watches have been popular across the Arabian Gulf, and Omani-themed dials are sought after by collectors.

Why this one is special

• Eye-catching Oman national flag dial with the white Khanjar emblem
• Classic West End Watch Co. Sowar, one of the oldest names in Swiss export watchmaking
• Automatic movement, signed "Everbright Automatic" caseback
• Comes with a West End Watch Co. box

Specifications

• Brand / Model: West End Watch Co. Sowar
• Case size: approx. 35 mm (excluding crown)
• Movement: automatic (as signed on caseback)
• Case: stainless steel, screw-down caseback signed "West End Watch Co - Everbright - Automatic", stamped 3289 / 0751
• Dial: Oman national flag design (white, red, green) with white Khanjar emblem, signed "West End Watch Co" and "Sowar"; no numerals, no date
• Hands: gilt sword hands with luminous inserts, red seconds hand
• Bracelet: expanding stainless steel bracelet, end pieces signed "Stainless Steel"
• Era: circa 1970s-1980s

Condition

Vintage pre-owned condition with normal signs of wear: light scratches and marks on the case, caseback and bracelet. The dial is bright and clean with a few tiny marks. The dial carries no "Swiss Made" or jewel marking and is most likely a later commemorative dial; please judge from the photos. 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. No papers.

Shipping & Returns

Free shipping with DHL from Cairo, Egypt.
30-day returns, buyer pays return shipping.