West End Watch Co. Sowar Prima Automatic Watch, Black Dial, NATO Strap

The classic 1934 Sowar Prima: a clean black dial with luminous Arabic numerals, a red seconds hand and a red-and-black NATO strap, Swiss automatic inside.

The Sowar Prima is West End Watch Co.’s heritage line. The Sowar Prima was first released in 1934, with modernist sans-serif Arabic numerals, thin straight hands and details reminiscent of automobile instrument dials. This one pairs a clean black dial with luminous Arabic numerals, a red seconds hand and a red-and-black NATO strap. Inside is a Swiss ETA 2836-2 automatic movement with Incabloc shock protection, calibrated in five positions to run between 0 and +15 seconds a day, with a date window at 6. The 39 mm × 12 mm case is solid 316L “Everbright” stainless steel with a decagonal caseback, under a U-shaped scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, water resistant to 50 m. Hands and markers glow with Super-Luminova. The waterproof woven NATO strap keeps it light and casual, and the plain black dial is the most legible, most military of the three. Made in Leytron, Switzerland, with a 2-year international warranty.

Specifications

• Brand: West End Watch Co. (Switzerland, est. 1886)
• Model: Sowar Prima (NATO strap)
• Design: Droz family
• Dial: Black with Arabic numerals
• Lume: Super-Luminova luminescent hands and numerals; red seconds hand
• Band: Red and black woven nylon NATO strap, stainless steel buckle
• Movement: Swiss automatic, ETA 2836-2, Incabloc shock protection
• Accuracy: Regulated in 5 positions, 0 to +15 s/day
• Case: Ø 39 mm × 12 mm, solid 316L “Everbright” stainless steel
• Caseback: Decagonal
• Crystal: U-shaped, scratch-resistant sapphire
• Date: Window at 6 o’clock
• Water resistance: 50 m (5 ATM)
• Warranty: 2-year international warranty
• Made in: Leytron, Switzerland
• Reference (MPN): WE-8149.10.0207

Features

• Swiss automatic ETA 2836-2 with Incabloc shock protection
• Regulated in 5 positions, 0 to +15 s/day
• 39 mm solid 316L stainless steel case, decagonal caseback
• U-shaped scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Super-Luminova hands and markers; date at 6
• Water resistant to 50 m; 2-year international warranty

Best for

Everyday and outdoor wear; it reads instantly at a glance, day or night. A 39 mm case sits comfortably on most wrists. More from West End Watch Co.: West End Watch Co. Sowar Steel Swiss Automatic Watch, Grey Dial, West End Watch Co. Sowar Prima Automatic Watch, Yellow-Ring Black Dial, NATO Strap.

Who this is not for

• Divers: 50 m water resistance handles rain, washing and swimming, not diving (our advice).
• Anyone who wants a battery watch to forget in a drawer: an automatic stops if left unworn and needs resetting.
• Fans of oversized watches: the case is a classic 39 mm.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and we like objects with a real past. West End Watch Co. began with the Swiss family firm Alcide Droz et Fils, which in 1864 developed l’Impermeable, the world’s first waterproof watch. Its popularity in British India led to the West End name in 1886; the watches were adopted by the Indian Railways and the Indian military, and in 1917 the brand made 50,000 Sowar watches for the Indian Cavalry. In 1934 West End became the first watch to adopt the Incabloc shock-protection system.

Buy once: durability and care

A sapphire crystal and steel case shrug off daily wear. Wipe the case and crystal with a soft cloth. The NATO strap can be hand washed with mild soap and dried flat; the steel bracelet can be cleaned with a soft brush. Keep the crown pushed in, and have the automatic movement serviced by a qualified watchmaker every few years (our advice).

Frequently asked questions

What movement is in the black-dial Sowar Prima?

A Swiss automatic ETA 2836-2 with Incabloc shock protection, regulated in five positions.

How accurate is the West End black-dial Sowar Prima?

It is calibrated to run between 0 and +15 seconds a day.

What size is the black-dial Sowar Prima case?

39 mm across and 12 mm thick, in solid 316L stainless steel.

Can I swim with the black-dial Sowar Prima?

It is water resistant to 50 m (5 ATM): fine for rain, washing and swimming, not for diving (our advice).

What strap comes on the black-dial Sowar Prima?

Red and black woven nylon NATO strap, stainless steel buckle.

Does the black-dial Sowar Prima need a battery?

No. It is a self-winding automatic, powered by the movement of your wrist.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, contractors and builders can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on West End Watch Co. and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and free catalogs and finish swatches. Applying takes about three minutes; our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day. Ordering watches as corporate or milestone gifts? Contact us with models and quantities and we’ll confirm availability and lead time.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.