West End Watch Co. Sowar Automatic watch

West End Watch Co. is a historic Swiss watchmaking brand with deep roots in the military and railway sectors, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East. The brand was originally created by Arnold Charpié in 1886 and named after the West End district of London. The company is famous for being one of the first to produce waterproof watches and for its robust 'Sowar' model, which was famously worn by T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia).

While many historic Swiss brands were absorbed by large conglomerates during the quartz crisis, West End Watch Co. remained a niche, independent entity for many years. Today, the brand is owned by the West End Watch Company, which continues to design and manufacture its timepieces in Switzerland, maintaining the 'Swiss Made' designation. The brand remains a symbol of reliability and heritage, particularly valued in markets like India, where it was the primary watch supplier for the Indian Railways for decades.