SUGGESTIONS FOR A MILITARY TIMEPIECE COLLECTORS LIBRARY

In addition to the books listed, there are several excellent Govt. publications which you might find from time to time. Naturally, the internet provides even more information which I sometimes will print and stick into one of the books on my shelf for further research. Please copy the list below and add your own comments and additions to the list.


1. A CONCISE GUIDE TO MILITARY TIMEPIECES 1880 -1990 by Z.M. Wesolowski (192 pages).
Great all around guide to get started - I especially appreciate the guide to military markings which is not found in any other book I am aware of. Highly recommended.

2. MILITARY TIMEPIECES by Marvin Whitney (667 w/extensive index)
Excellent for U.S. military horological equipment. These is some mention of non-U.S. issue timepieces, but the main reason to have this book is for the information regarding U.S. equipment. Mr. Whitney is a retired horologist who worked for the U.S. military. As above, this is highly recommended.

3. MILITARY TIMEPIECES - 150 YEARS WATCHES AND CLOCKS OF GERMAN FORCES by Konrad Knirim. German and English text. (625 w/extensive index)
This book is Excellent for every aspect of German military horological equipment. It is wide ranging in scope, including timepieces of the 1800's up to and including the former East Germany. Once you get a copy you won’t want to give it up. Highly recommended.

4. TM 9-1575 ordnance maintenance WRIST WATCHES, POCKET WATCHES, STOP WATCHES, AND CLOCKS By the War Dept. U.S. Army 6 April 1945. (222 with index)

This is an original technical manual. It is not hard to find. In it are listed many of the basic timepieces used by U.S. Army ground forces in 1945. There are excellent illustrations as well as instructions for repairing watches. The only clock listed is the Message Center Clock. Watch case codes are included which are of use if you want to know if a watch has the correct movement inside or not. This manual was only published for Army use, and so there is no information regarding the timepieces used by the U.S. Army Air Force, nor those used by the U.S. Navy or Marines. However, it is both an original relic and a resource all in one. Highly recommended.

5. SWISS TIMEPIECE MAKERS 1775-1975 by Kathleen H. Pritchard. (Two volume boxed set).
Swiss timepieces have been or are being used by nearly every military power at one time or another. Often, all we have is a name on the dial and an obscure govt. mark on the case back. Ms. Pritchard has arranged her two volume set to enable the researcher to locate the actual manufacturer (seller?) by looking up the brand name. Often, the date names were registered is also included, which is another clue to dating a watch. While this is another expensive investment, it is well worth it and will often come in handy for all manner of Swiss watches commercial and military alike.


Best regards,

Greg

You can download the complete TM 9-1575, dated 6 April 1945, all 227 pages of it...

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD: United States War Department Technical Manual TM9-1575

CLOSER TO HOME: Complete TM 9-1575 U.S. War Department Technical Manual