Case, Carrying, Watch, Navigation U. S. Army A. C.

[musicguy]

I always wanted one of these "cans" and recently acquired one.
These are not rare, and I know many people here have them.

It's a WW2 Era U. S. Army A. C. Master Navigation Watch protective "can" type case.
Made by GEO. H Adamson Tecumseh, Michigan, U.S.A.

It's very heavy for it's size, and it has a thick glass window that you can see the Master
Navigation Watch through(with protective rotating metal disk cover).

The Master Navigation Watch sit's in a nest of springs and cushions.






(1942 Elgin B W Raymond Grade 581 A-13 Master Navigation Watch GCT)

 

[Tom McIntyre]

Every military collector should have one.

 

[CentreKeystone]

What was this for?

 

[musicguy]

These were manufactured for the US ARMY A. C. in accordance
to U S Army Spec for use in Airplanes to hold a Master Navigation Watch.
They were used from the WW2 era into the late 1950's(that is my understanding).
They protected the Master Navigation Watch from vibration and shocks on the Airplane.
These watches were a very valuable(and expensive) tool that needed protection.


Rob

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

These were manufactured for the US ARMY A. C. in accordance
to U S Army Spec for use in Airplanes to hold a Master Navigation Watch.
They were used from the WW2 era into the late 1950's(that is my understanding).
They protected the Master Navigation Watch from vibration and shocks on the Airplane.
These watches were a very valuable(and expensive) tool that needed protection.
View attachment 495564

Rob

Now I have to go looking for one "You are a trouble maker "

 

[Joseph Short]

Now I have to go looking for one "You are a trouble maker "

Umm, when was the last time you read something on this forum and did not find something to yearn for?

 

[Tim Fitzgerald]

Umm, when was the last time you read something on this forum and did not find something to yearn for?

Since this morning ? Only 12

 

[Leigh Callaway]

Chapter 18 “Master Navigational (GCT) Watches” of Marvin Whitney’s “Military Timepieces” describes these as a “…metal canister which acted as a magnetic shield, shielding the watch from possible magnetization by fields set up by stray electrical currents within the airplane.” One could argue this applied to the Elgin and Waltham GCT versions but, in theory at least, less so for the Hamilton 4992B with its Elinvar “Extra” hairspring. Whitney goes on to say “In Navy applications the watch was enclosed in a shock-mounted hardwood box.” Herewith a few photos from my collection – note the (ahem) “U.S. NAVY” engraved on the train bridge.

 

[musicguy]

Nice watch and box.


Rob

 

[Tom McIntyre]

I am pretty sure the Elgin and Waltham examples conformed to the same specifications in the contract for non-magnetic and inherent temperature compensation.

In the panel clock built jointly by Elgin and Hamilton , Hamilton used the Elgin balance and hairspring.

I think Hamilton had a much better advertising operation during the war that stood them in good stead.

 

[River rat]

Congrats on picking up one of these magnetic shielded shock absorbent metal canister carrying cases. Some years ago I found a place on the net selling antique aircraft parts and they had these cases for 25 buck each I bought two and sold one at a NAWCC mart for 50 so it paid for mine I kept. Tell you I wish I bought as many as they had for what they sell for today. Here is mine and like some one said every military watch collector should have one.

 

[musicguy]

Thanks River Rat, I also picked up a Hamilton 4992b(AN 5740) that came with the canister carrying case
that needed a little work. I got both for a very good deal. I will post the
Hamilton Master Navigation Watch when I get it sorted out.
My canister carrying case looks like it was well used.

Rob