John Murray's recent posting suggests a worthwhile topic to which many of us might contribute -- watches in our collections that once belonged to famous, well known, or interesting people.

To get this topic started, I will post three watches I own.

The first is a Vacheron & Constantin once owned by Ferris Thomsen, the first inductee to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame. (John Murray, how's that for a famous sport figure!)

He was born in Baltimore on December 25, 1907, Ferris Thomsen was educated at Baltimore Friends School, graduating in 1926. He then went to Swarthmore College for two years before transferring to St. John's College in Annapolis, Md. While at Friends School, Thomsen played football, basketball and lacrosse, winning varsity letters in all three sports. At Swarthmore College, he played two years of football and lacrosse, once scoring a still unmatched 14 goals during a lacrosse game versus Lafayette College. At St. John's College, he also won letters in lacrosse and football and played on the 1928 National Championship lacrosse team. After college, Thomsen went on to play four years with the Mt. Washington Club. Taking up coaching as a career, Thomsen coached from 1930-34 at McDonogh School, then on to Gilman School from 1934-45, where besides coaching, he was also Director of Athletics for the last six years. In 1945 Thomsen moved on to the University of Pennsylvania where he coached lacrosse and football until moving to Princeton University in 1950. It was here at Princeton that his lacrosse teams won two national championships and 10 Ivy League titles. Thomsen was named Coach-of-the-Year by the USILA in 1967, and he coached the South team in the annual collegiate North-South game in 1950. In addition to his coaching accolades, Thomsen served an active lacrosse official for 16 years and served several terms as president of the Officials Association. He held various positions on many committees for the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and was a former president of the United States Lacrosse Coaches' Association. Ferris' first wife, the former Helen Walter, died in 1970. Since the time of his death in July of 1994, he is survived by his wife, the former Lily Smart; two sons, Ferris Thomsen, Jr., and Leonard Thomsen; seven grandchildren and seven grand-grandchildren.

Ferris' V&C

Inscription

Another watch I own with an interesting history is this V&C originally owned by S. Charles Welsh, whose family ran a fine jewelry store in New York for decades, as the inscriptions demonstrate.

First inscription

Second inscription

Finally, here is an extremely thin platinum and diamond Cartier originally owned by A.E. Lefcourt, the most prominent skyscraper developer in New York through the end of the 1920's. He was ruined by the depression, but his many 40+-story buildings still stand.

A.E. Lefcourt's monogram

This one is interesting that it was presented through about 4 generations of the same family. First in 1869, second in 1971

I love it! The famed watch idea is spreading!! Keep posting these rare and interesting watches and let me know if you ever want to sell a famed watch and I'll see if I can possibly afford it. In my mind it really makes a watch much more interesting when there is a prominent story behind it .. but then again if any watch could talk it would reveal a most fascinating history. I also recently bought Pee Wee Reese's watch (of baseball fame) ... so famed watch #6 will be going up soon at:
www.FamedWatches.com

Ethan
You have some great watches.

I don't have a picture but I own a 19j Gruen Ultra thin in an 18kt white gold case with black enamel. When I get home I will write up the inscription.

Susposedly the watch was a gift from Gene Tunney the boxer.Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey twice.

The Ebay seller claimed it was from the Tunney estate.I don't know if it is true--I bought it because these Gruens are very rare.

Bob

Bob, I am sure my watch collection is nothing compared to your collection, but here is another watch with a provenance.

This IWC black onyx, platinum, white gold, and diamond pocket watch with matching chain (also featuring pearls) originally was owned by C.K. Boettcher, who was the son of one of Colorado's richest pioneering families, and a successful businessman in his own right. C.K. owned many things, such as the Brown Palace hotel in Denver. He reportedly lived there off and on for many years. C.K. had a perfectly nice house in Denver. After he died, his foundation gave his house to the state to serve as the governors mansion, which is still is. Mansion C.K. left much of his wealth to a foundation that has given away hundreds of millions. Alas, I only have his watch

Dave what kind of watch is the keywind?

The inscription on the inside dust cover of my Gruen ultra thin reads

Gene Tunney
To
Jack Farrell
Oct 23 1926

Bob

This isn't anyone famous, but I finally found this guy after months of searching.
I purchased this right here on the board. A Real Honey of a watch. (Thanks Lindell)

She's a Hamilton 975 and it's signed on the dial

N.R. Zimmerman Doylestown Ohio

N.R. Zimmerman is Nathan R Zimmerman and he owned a Jewelry Store, was a Jeweler and an Optometrist?
He was born around 1858 and is listed in the 1910 Census.

He may not be famous, but it sure was famous to find this guy after hunting so long.

The Movement

Last

Sheila, why were you looking for a Zimmerman?

The watch above.

I know, I wondered at the name too, but it's Zimmerman.

How about the ebay #280241915559?

What is the deal with the stem wind on this mod1 elgin?