Antique watches cannot ever tell their life stories, but I’d like to tell an imaginary tale which could be quite typical of a great watch. The date is 1905. A 25 year old railroad worker named I.M. Hogger has just been told by his master mechanic that he has been promoted from passenger fireman to yard engineer. He decides its time to get a new watch to keep him on time. Mr. Hogger soon leaves his jeweler with an 18 size, 19 jewel Elgin B. W. Raymond grade 240. He splurges a little and ...
In his 1930s classic “Walkin’ Blues”, Robert Johnson wrote of his lady friend: “She’s got Elgin movements from her head down to her toes.” Quite a nice testimonial to the fame of the Elgin watch company I should say. Elgin was without a doubt the greatest American watch company. If watch companies were like automakers, Elgin would be General Motors fore sure. The biggest, the most makes, the highest variety of models - Elgin was the king. Elgin began in 1864 when a number of citizens ...
Almost 60,000 Australians served during the conflict in Vietnam. Australia were part of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation. (SEATO) During this time the Australian Army shared a lot of equipment with US forces including the Benrus watches already used by US infantry. Simple and robust the watch had a plastic case and fabric strap. ...
Updated Jan 5, 2015 at 10:59 PM by Churchy
Japanese armed forces were issued with watches made by the Seikosha Watch Company, A branch of Seiko. The original watch would have had a seconds hand sub dial at 6 o'clock, and either a 12 hour or 24 hour dial. Some had a protective case. They would have been marked with a Star for the army; an Anchor for the Navy; and a Cherry blossom for the Air service. ...
Updated Jan 19, 2015 at 07:40 PM by Churchy
All American Apollo astronauts were issued with Omega Speedmaster Professionals. They were worn by Edward H. White on the first spacewalk and Buzz Aldrin on the moon. The regular strap was changed to a long Velcro strap so it could be worn over the Space Suits. 'Flown' Speedmasters have real historic interest and many are on display, however Buzz Aldrin's "Moon" watch was lost ...
Updated Jan 19, 2015 at 11:31 AM by Churchy
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