A POCKET WATCH THAT HELPED SAVE THE WORLD!

[Lindell V. Riddle]

Earlier I had the honor of speaking publically about what we celebrate on this Memorial Day.

As I spoke we passed among those assembled, a Hamilton 4992-B in it's original battle-scarred case, with a bezel and crystal installed on the back as well as front so all could see "in action" one of the watches that helped time the Normandy invasion.

That event, on June 6th, 1944 led ultimately to an Allied Victory in World War II.

As I told the story of how these wonderful timekeeping machines that were proudly Made in U.S.A. literally helped save the world for freedom, it was heart-wrenching to see World War II Veterans, some in their eighties, wipe real tears from their eyes as they each in turn held that watch for a few moments and then passed it along to the next person.
We who are members of the NAWCC all know and appreciate how the study of horology has touched our lives.

It is especially fitting today that we also realize the tremendous part horology has played in keeping our freedom.

Whether you have one of the great Ships Chronometers, a Deck Watch, a Pocket or Wrist watch that saw service in time of war, this is a good time to take it out and share it with your family and friends.

Ponder for a moment where that timekeeper has been and what it helped accomplish, tell your children and grandchildren, and pass along your knowledge while you can.

More than anything else we members of the NAWCC stand for that unselfish sharing of knowledge to the advancement of horology.

Today a seemingly ordinary 4992-B helped tell the story of how horology helped advance and preserve our very freedom.


Lindell V. Riddle, NAWCC Life Member# 253

[Lindell V. Riddle]

Earlier I had the honor of speaking publically about what we celebrate on this Memorial Day.

As I spoke we passed among those assembled, a Hamilton 4992-B in it's original battle-scarred case, with a bezel and crystal installed on the back as well as front so all could see "in action" one of the watches that helped time the Normandy invasion.

That event, on June 6th, 1944 led ultimately to an Allied Victory in World War II.

As I told the story of how these wonderful timekeeping machines that were proudly Made in U.S.A. literally helped save the world for freedom, it was heart-wrenching to see World War II Veterans, some in their eighties, wipe real tears from their eyes as they each in turn held that watch for a few moments and then passed it along to the next person.
We who are members of the NAWCC all know and appreciate how the study of horology has touched our lives.

It is especially fitting today that we also realize the tremendous part horology has played in keeping our freedom.

Whether you have one of the great Ships Chronometers, a Deck Watch, a Pocket or Wrist watch that saw service in time of war, this is a good time to take it out and share it with your family and friends.

Ponder for a moment where that timekeeper has been and what it helped accomplish, tell your children and grandchildren, and pass along your knowledge while you can.

More than anything else we members of the NAWCC stand for that unselfish sharing of knowledge to the advancement of horology.

Today a seemingly ordinary 4992-B helped tell the story of how horology helped advance and preserve our very freedom.


Lindell V. Riddle, NAWCC Life Member# 253

[Cary]

Thanks for the words. I get the same feeling holding these watches now, that were there when the owners gave so much.

I dont yet have an American WWII Pocket watch, but here are a few that have seen both sides of the battle.

Thanks to those who served.

I live in a house that the oldest son lost his life at Pearl. I still can imagine the picture of the officers at the front door, and how so many lives changed after that.
Mil Watches (http://a7.cpimg.com/image/F9/83/8479737-8407-02520187-.jpg)


Glad you stood up and spoke today.

Cary


[This message has been edited by Cary (edited 05-27-2002).]

[Cary]

Kirxklox...Run away and change your mind. It is a whole nother world with more fake watches than Yahoo auctions.

If you really are interested check out
www.broadarrow.net (http://www.broadarrow.net)

Lots of great guys there and quite a few to guide you through any purchases.

Here is another for ya. Seen lots of these Aircraft clocks. Look great on your desk and have really neat 8 Day movements.
8 day/MkV and A11 (http://a4.cpimg.com/image/78/D2/6585464-61e1-028001E0-.jpg)

My great uncle cant be sure if he ever had his watch replaced, but there is a very good chance that this one took off from the Hornet with Doolittle.



[This message has been edited by Cary (edited 05-27-2002).]

[Greg Crockett]

My military watch collection includes Civil War through WWI vintage watches w/U.S. eagles, shields, flags and other patriotic engravings and dials. Early in the morning of 9/12/01 I bought a U.S. flag, the best quality I could find, and hung it up in my front office - it is still there. Looking at these patriotic key-winds and wire-lugs I feel a deeper understanding of what motivated those who bought them so long ago.

Thank you vets. Rest well.

[Ball992B]

Having the honor of personaly knowing Mr. Lindell Riddle I can tell you all there is not a finer and more kind hearted man to meet in this hobby. He will always listen. I do believe there may not be a more studied sole in the history of South Bend watches.

In memorial of my grandfather William T. Fireman first class USS Missisinewa who parrished Nov. 20, 1944 along with 80 of his mates upon being struck by a one manned Japanese Kiatan suicide sub/torpedo.

My father Albert T. Moses USMC. 14 year combat vet and POW, WWII/Korea and this day all of those who are serving and have served. Thank You.

[lamarw]

Thanks Lindell, I am a vet. and appreciate your and other's appreciation.

We owe so much to our sons and daughters that are out there doing this Nation's duty at this moment (Horological speaking, just a pun). There are some really brave American's in the field making major sacrifices. Unfortunately, some are dying for this country. Memorial Day is just one day; We need to thing of them everyday.

My best friend was killed on my birtday in Vietnam. I saw him the same day and, we lost him that same day. So did his family. I will never forget.

[Cary]

Kirk....No personal attack...I guess it didnt come across very well, but I meant the avenue of adding Military Timepieces is very addictive, costly and full of more potholes in the road. There are tons of fakes and so many surplus parts that it is very hard to verify provinance of the watches.

I guess I should have used the smiley face, I meant run away while you still have the some funds...As you can see I have invested a bit in the "Military Horology" angle and have made quite a few mistakes along the way..but also pulled out some pretty darn good buys along the way.


Again, sorry if it cam across the wrong way.

Cary :smile: <- smiley face this time.

[MikeP]

It didn't save the world and it was a wrist - not pocket watch but you may find it amusing so I'll share this story.

In 1968 I was an Infantry rifle platoon leader in Vietnam (101st Airborne). One day in a small fire fight an RPG round landed fairly close and I felt a "smack" on my left wrist. Later, I found that my Seiko wristwatch had been basically destroyed by a piece of shrapnel that was still in the watch but NOT into my wrist.

In talking about it over C rations later, several of us were amused because you could still read "Shockproof" on the dial. In a further bit of amusement we called back to basecamp and actually got somebody to look up the customer service address for Seiko.

I packed the watch in a C rations box and sent it to Seiko with a short note on how the watch didn't appear to be shockproof at all! We laughed uproariously at our humor, sent the watch off, and promptly forgot about it.

A few weeks later a brand new Seiko shows up with an apology for the "failure" of the watch. I thought it was a pretty good ad for Seiko!

Now, of course, I wish I had kept the watch with the shrapnel in it...

[lamarw]

Good Story MikeP, You were indeed a fortunate man. Those old Seiko's were great watches. The new Swiss Army watches seem to be just as good. I have one that I can not seem to destroy. Been wearing it for casual and yard work for several years and it keeps on ticking, Have had to change the band a couple of times. It is not a glamorous watch and it is not what I consider a part of my collection, but the damn thing is proving itself. It keeps perfect time.

[Lindell V. Riddle]

On Memorial Day we got a little serious and we thought about some of the reasons these timekeepers of ours mean so much, not only to us as watch and clock collectors but to all of us as a free people.

It was uplifting to read the poignant remarks from Cary and Lamarr when they spoke of ultimate sacrifice, Don's tributes to his father and grandfather were especially moving, the salutes from Kirk ang Greg, and finally Mike uniquely gave us all something to smile about!

Thanks guys, and thanks to all who read along with us. The study of time and the machines we use to track it touches so much of our daily lives.

Sincerely


Lindell