Internet Horology Club 185
A watch for an active duty Army Nurse
June 11, 2010, 14:01
David AbbeA watch for an active duty Army Nurse
This week, Lovina was the high bidder on a nice 7J 1884 vintage Hampden HC in a good OF case. When I received her payment, her "ship to" address, made two things very clear;
1. She is a Military (army?) Nurse . . .
2. Stationed out of country.
So . . . I looked at the watch and decided to clean it, advising her by e-mail I was doing this "gratis" for her position. In the e-mail I attached the following pictures. (I remember when things hurt a lot and a nurse put a windup clock next to my bed it was very calming . . .)
It "came in" at 18002 BPH pendant up, and 17998 BPH dial up. . .
Here is the visual I sent her;
June 11, 2010, 14:02
David Abbe#2
June 11, 2010, 14:02
David Abbe#3
June 11, 2010, 14:02
David Abbe#4
June 11, 2010, 14:03
David Abbe#5
June 11, 2010, 14:04
David AbbeShe Replied; "Thank you Mr. David"
June 11, 2010, 14:51
Bob MurrayVery nice! Nice watch,too!

June 11, 2010, 15:16
Lindell V. Riddle
I agree with Bob, that is beautiful work David!
I have often encouraged sellers to pack a simply worded instruction sheet with the watches they sell.
Apparently some buyers are so unfamiliar with how mechanical watches work they are often returned with an angry note with few words such a "NOT RUNNING" or "COULD NOT PULL UP STEM" and of course there turns out to be nothing wrong with the watch. After all, a huge part of the general population, including nearly anyone born in the last fifty years have never seen anything but watches powered by batteries.
You did something really nice for Lovina, and I'm sure she will be grateful for your kind generosity. And be sure give her a heartfelt "Thank you for your service!" from all of us.
Lindell

June 13, 2010, 09:38
Kenneth SpinkDave:
It's become the fashionable thing for Americans to say "Support our troops" or to stick a yellow ribbon or POW/MIA sign on their bumper, but few do anything for the men and women serving our country that requires much time and effort.
Thank you for setting an example for all of us.
June 13, 2010, 12:17
Johnny Kaszanek Jr.
David i just saw this and and am so proud to be a Member of this Group with people like YOU.I also love the ILL BUNN i bought off you.JOHNNY
June 14, 2010, 21:23
Theodore J. Brown Sr.It seems like today, all you ever hear is bad news followed by even worse news.It's nice to know there are people like Dave, who did such a nice thing for one of America's finest.And thanks to Lovina for your service!
June 15, 2010, 07:34
Christopher Darwinquote:
. . . . nearly anyone born in the last fifty years have never seen anything but watches powered by batteries.
I had to chuckle. Recently, I showed a pocket watch I happened to be carrying to a young friend. His response was, "Is that one of those watches you have to wind?" He was curious how you could remember to keep winding it up so it wouldn't stop.
June 15, 2010, 10:26
Mark CrossSadly, I have experienced the same thing here at the Space Institute.
I once had a Physics professor ask me to show a room full of graduate students my pocket watch I was carrying that day. They were absolutely fascinated to see the inner workings of an 18s Elgin railroad watch, and had never seen such a thing in all their lives.
We're talking about future rocket scientists, and more than one was a Captain in the Air Force!

WONDERFUL job, as usual, Dave!
Regards! Mark
June 15, 2010, 14:22
Mary Ann ScottDave - that was very thoughtful of you to to a COA on her watch! Being in the military and stationed overseas it may have been very hard for her to find someone capable of doing any servicing. And including the pictures with descriptions is an added bonus for someone who may not have much experience with pocket watches. Kudos to you and Lovina for all that she does in service to our country!
June 17, 2010, 22:46
Bruce CunhaDave
Thank you for your kind gesture. I just retired from the Army National Guard after 28 years and am also a nurse. In the two years of active duty in the sand box, I can;t tell you the number of times the little things that folks in the US caught me off guard. When you are sitting on you bunk after a frustrating day patching up people, that little bit of caring really helps.
June 17, 2010, 23:26
David AbbeThank you all. We all care!
June 18, 2010, 00:58
Tom BruntonA class act for sure,DAVID,like everything I've seen of THIS ORGANIZATION. PAID MY DUES WITH PAYPAL, OFFERED TO DO THE SAME FOR MY LAPSED NAWCC MEMBERSHIP, PHONED AND THEY DON'T TAKE PAYPAL PAYMENTS, SAD REALLY , SO NOW I'M A MEMBER OF ONLY ONE OF THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS I WANT TO BELONG TO.

June 20, 2010, 06:53
Mike SandellGood job David on helping a vet on active duty.They have this thing every two years were I live called eastbay stand down were for two days they help homeless vets feed them give them a place to sleep free doctor and dental check up's and how too find housing and a job they all ways need volunteer's for it.Was all ways told in the military never volunteer for any thing but this mite be a good thing to do.
June 20, 2010, 08:13
Edward KitnerDavid,
As I have said before, but not enough, you are one of the best! You do it because you love to!
June 20, 2010, 14:07
Ray HallenbeckGreat job Dave, you are a true gentleman.
June 21, 2010, 20:09
Jerry KingDave, you are one of the true gentlemen that we have among us at IHC185....Thank you....
I hope Lovina gets all the 'special' service from the watch that you have put into it and that it serves her well in her special service....and we 'Thank Her' for her service to the country and all of us....
Those that think chivalry is gone don't know much about the membership of IHC185...!
Regards,
Jerry
June 21, 2010, 21:31
Mortimer SchwartzThere is one word that describes your world: DECENCY. You are blessed.
Mort
June 24, 2010, 21:00
Buster BeckVery nice gesture and surely appreciated by one and all

Regards,
bb
June 25, 2010, 06:33
Vincent Pullara, Jr.David, You are a real stand up guy. We're all proud of what you have done. Thank you.
Vince