Germany, Heer. A 5. Gebirgs-Division Battle of Crete Commemorative Pocket Watch

(Unternehmen Merkur Taschenuhr). A rare Wehrmacht campaign commemorative pocket watch, constructed of a silver alloy casing, the obverse featuring an off-white dial executed in a diamond pattern and with Arabic numerals 1-12 graded with minute markers, featuring a 60-second stopwatch in place of the numeral 6, with hour and minute hands, topped by a knurled crown with a loop and ring, the latter connecting to a fob-style chain with a locking loop, the case back showing a carefully-engraved map of Crete, overlaid by a mobile swastika which is in turn defaced by a sword and cluster of oak leaves, circumscribed by an inscription of “DREI JAHRE KRIEG / DREI JAHRE SIEG” (“THREE YEARS WAR / THREE YEARS VICTORY), opening to reveal an additional plate bearing an inscription of “5. GEB.-DIV.” (5. Gebirgs-Division), situated above a divisional emblem, in turn folding to reveal internal mechanisms, measuring 50 mm in total diameter, the watch appears to remain functional but demonstrates some discolouration to the face and should be examined by a qualified expert, a unit-attributed commemorative pocket watch for a pivotal battle in the Mediterranean theatre, in near extremely fine condition.