1912trenchhrh

Special forces watch of Royal origins up for grabs

Fellows is auctioning off a watch with a top secret military history and Royal origins later this month.

The trench watch was a gift from King Edward VIII (then the Prince of Wales) to Lt. Col. John Derrick Hignett for his service as Equerry. Lt. Col. Hignett commanded the top secret communication and intelligence GHQ Liaison Regiment, also known as the Phantom regiment, during World War II.

The commanding officer also took part in military operations in North Africa and Northern European alongside fellow Phantom Regiment member, Hollywood actor David Niven.

The only battle scars the 1912 watch bears are a few cracks to the enamel dial. It is also inscribed on the reverse, “Y.R.H” with the Prince of Wales feathers, while the name “J.D Hignett, 10th Hussars” is marked on the cuvette. Lt. Col. Hignett died in 1994.

The watch, lot 484 in Fellows monthly Watch Sale on October 27th, has an estimate of £200-£300.

James Buttery

Editor of WatchPro, the WatchPro Hot 100 and The Luxury Report.

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1 Comment

  1. Please if anyone knows who bought or where this watch went could they please contact me as I have fascinating information about Lt Col Hignett and have been in contact with some of his family.
    I own the car which he had from 1936 until 1951 which he was able to use during the war years and during his time as equerry. The car in its own right is extremely important aside from the Hignett connection.

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