People collect are sorts of items for various reasons. I'm sure there are collectors of Service Award Pocket watches. I have none in my collection. Do you? Would you like to share your collection of Service Award Pocket Watches with us?

Stephanie O'Neil
NAWCC Member 143979

Yes, it's a wristwatch, but it has a 16 size pocket watch movement inside made in the 1st Moscow watch factory w/equipment purchased from the defunct Dubber Hampden company.

The inscription states,"20 Years of Red Militia. To Comrade Matvienko N. P. for Protection of the Revolutionary Order. From the NKVD of Belorussia. November 19, 1937" Soviet presentation watches were often given out during the anniversary of the October 1917 Revolution, which was celebrated during November of each year.

The NKVD was an early form of the Soviet KGB. I must confess that given the ruthless activities of the NKVD at that time, it makes me nervous to think what atrocities Matvienko must have witnessed or engaged in to be awarded a watch!

To study history is to appreciate your freedom and guard it jealously!

Best regards,
Greg

This was a good idea, Stephanie. It's hard to understand why no one is posting anything. So, here is another:

It says in German, "souvenir of my [military] Service" The men are standing around an early Krupp gun. As we can see, one of the men is about to fire the field gun by pulling a lanyard. The helmets have ball tops for artillery instead of the spike tops of other troops. The engraving is on a cheap, cylinder, Swiss, bar-movement key-wind. I would think the watch was made around 1870 - 1900.

Best regards,
Greg

Greg C.,
Intersting post of your historical service award wristwatch/pocket watch with historical info.

Awesome engraving on your german p/w.

It seems service award wristwatches were more common than pocket
watches.

Thanks for sharing Greg!

Stephanie O'Neil
NAWCC Member 143979

I have an 12 size 14k gold 21J Lord Elgin from Standard Oil of Indiana (Amoco). A nice little watch I was meant to own since it's inscribed 1915-1957 and I was born in 1957 and worked for Standard/Amoco for 22 years.

Great running little watch.

ttown, I just came arcoss this one today. The watch is the same 21j Lord Elgin in a 14K case. This dial has some spots on it, but the inscription on the back is from Ford Motor Company for 35 years of service. Note facsimile of Henry Ford II on the bottom.

Ricky,
Neat service award watch you own. Sounds like it was meant to be yours!

Tom Sey.,
Nice inscription! Will you be researching original owner's name?

Other service award pocket watches you may want to share?

Here is another service award watch. It is from the Packard Motor Car Co. It is a 10s, grade 917, 14K Hamilton. I was luck enough to get this in the original box.

The dial is in excellent condition.

The inscription.

Hi everyone,
The inscription on the enclosed watch reads:
1892 New Haven Connecticut 1917
Presented To
John Keeler Punderford
V.P. & G.M. Of The Connecticut Co. And The Westchester St. R. R. Co.
July 2, 1917
By Members Of The Operating Departments Upon His Completing Twenty Five Years In The Electric Street Railway Service

dial

movement
One of these days I'm going to have to get better pictures of this M.T. Stauffer Repeater
Fred

This is a Hamilton 918. Father H. O. Bowman was the Episcopal priest that married my wife and I in July of 1966. I think 1929 was probably the year he was ordained.

movement

face

Tom S.,
What a fabulous service award P/W! And the box! Nice going Tom. What about that unusual name, Greek? Have you researched the name of yet? Thanks again for showing and bringing yet another old thread to life!

Fred H.,
A fabulous service award P/W. If only we could listen to it!
Very nice Hamilton too. Would love to know the story behind the acquisition, particularly since the priest performed your nuptiual vows!

Stephanie,
After Father Bowman passed on, the family sold the watch to the watchmaker who had serviced the watch in the past. The watchmaker is a personal friend and knew that Father Bowman had married us, and asked if I would like to have the watch.
Fred