Patek Philippe

The present officer-style wristwatch retailed by A. Cairelli Roma, housed in a yellow gold case and dating from the early 1910s, represents a rare survival from an era when wristwatches were transitioning from pocket pieces into true wearable wrist instruments. Its elegant proportions and modest size reflect the refined sensibilities of the period, and the hinged, snap-on back is typical of officer watches of that time, designed to protect the movement while preserving a clean, classical profile.

The white enamel dial, simple, crisp, and timeless, underlines the watch’s understated elegance, while the yellow gold case imbues the piece with a warm, vintage charm. As a dual-signed example, bearing both the retailer’s mark “A. Cairelli Roma” and the maker’s signature on the dial, case, or movement, it carries the weight of provenance and historical context. It reminds the wearer of a bygone era when watchmaking, retail, and national history often overlapped.

Wristwatches retailed by A. Cairelli are especially notable because the firm played a key role in supplying timepieces, both civilian and military, in Italy during the 20th century. For a vintage watch collector, such a watch is not only a fine example of early wristwatch design and workmanship, but also a tangible piece of horological and social history.

This yellow gold Cairelli-retailed officer wristwatch offers a rare opportunity to own a beautifully preserved example of early 20th-century wristwatch craftsmanship. It is a tastefully elegant and historically significant collectible that bridges the world of classic dress watches and vintage heirlooms.