The August 2006 Bulletin arrived and it was found to contain some information related to military timepieces:

A DOLLAR WATCH PICTORIAL, by Steve Berger, contains some watches of particular interest here. Well known dollar watches, such as the “Zep,” by Westclox, commemorating the 1929 Graf Zeppelin, and other watches to commemorate the explorations of Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic Expedition, along with variations of the Lindbergh, New York to Paris, watch by Ingraham. These watches of the 1930's are popular with early aviation buffs as well as dollar watch collectors.

Not so well known is the Kaiser Wilhelm II pocket watch by the New Haven Clock Co. An example is depicted, together with the original fob which features a photographic image of the Kaiser. On the back of the case is a raised likeness of the Deutcher Kaiser. The paper dial depicts crossed tri-color German flags in black, white and red, and a gothic German eagle under the 12. The author states that these turn of the century American watches were given away as premiums to those who purchased a subscription from the German Newspaper Bureau.

Another interesting item is a Spanish American War memento; The Admiral Dewey watch. Upon the dial is Dewey, the hero of Manila Bay, along with the president, the flag, and various U.S. generals. On the back of the case is a likeness of the USS Olympia, Admiral Dewey’s flagship in 1898.

Other:

The August Bulletin has information of general interest which many of us would enjoy, especially if you repair your own watches. The watch repair article in the regular FROM THE WORKSHOP column, by Canadian author Doug Sinclair, is excellent. Through his excellent photographs and explanations, it is easy to follow as Doug explains the repair of a Model 1883 Waltham pocket watch. Various tools are also depicted in a forward to the repair section.

Hamilton Wristwatches are featured by Bruce Shawkey in the regular WRISTWATCHES section. A WWI era Hamilton is pictured among HAMILTON’S MAGNIFICENT DOZEN. The author suggests that a representative Hamilton wristwatch collection should include at least one WWII Hamilton military wristwatch. Of this, I’m sure everyone on this forum would agree, although it’s hard to imagine stopping at only one! Surly, a white dialed Ordinance Model would be lonely without a pilot’s hack watch next to it, and a 4992B next to that.........

The balance of the issue contains restoration tips and other information regarding civilian clocks and watches, such as the French Bulle Clockette. Enjoyable and informative.


Best regards,
Greg Crockett
NAWCC member since 1984