WW1 Trench Watch

JayFramer

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This came in the mail today, all the way from Japan:

DDF122-A3-3380-48-DC-BB07-9-ED4056620-A4.jpg


E51-F10-D9-A71-D-4813-B983-F124327-DF4-DD.jpg


Well not the 64 guys, the watch! :)

It's a Timex retro throwback to the famed Ingersol Midget pocketwatches, converted into wristwatches, during WW1 and used by our fighting men "over there".

Really neat looking watch. I won't be timing any creeping barrage attacks or synchronizing for when to go "over the top", but it's just awesome! Wonderful WW1 themed field watch. It's an exclusive watch for the Japanese market, they offer two very similar models in the US but they don't look quite as much like the originals.

It has Timex's Indiglo feature which I really enjoy. The dial is clear and easy to read, perfect for moonlight trench raiding. The lugs are actually soldered on, as were the original Ingersols when they were converted into wrist watches for the fighting men who didn't want to fish around for a pocket watch during battle. The domed crystal is super old school as is the "onion" crown. The leather strap is a replica of those worn on the originals. The dial and hands are painted to resemble old radium paint. The same look, now with no radiation sickness! ;)

And yes, sorry PC police, it does in fact say "MIDGET" on it, as did the original Ingersol Midgets. Different times back then and thankfully the Japanese weren't afraid to include it. The word is not found on the American variants lest we be offended!

Just thought I'd share, gang. Take care!

-Jay
 
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Your comment about the radium was interesting. I just finished the book Radium Girls last night, talk about depressing. These women hand painted watch, clock and aircraft instrument faces with radio active paint and were basically killed by it for their troubles. And 1920s and 30s corporate America told them "sucks to be you, not our problem."
 
I like it.
Not on Amazon or Ebay.
How did you guys find it?

EDIT: Found a original Ingersoll Radiolite Midget WW1 "Era" Officers Trench Watch that's beaten up and does not keep accurate time so the seller says.
It dose not have Midget printed on the face.
Price is GBP 175.00 which is $227.85 in real American dollars + GPB 16.00 shipping from jolly old England.
I'll wait and find a nice new replica.
 
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Your comment about the radium was interesting. I just finished the book Radium Girls last night, talk about depressing. These women hand painted watch, clock and aircraft instrument faces with radio active paint and were basically killed by it for their troubles. And 1920s and 30s corporate America told them "sucks to be you, not our problem."

From what I read some time ago, the dial painters used very tiny brushes to apply the radium paint. To keep a fine tip, they would often stick the brushes on their tongues, ingesting the radium with predictable results. At that time, no one (or very few) recognized the dangers associated with prolonged exposure to radioactive materials. I think the use of radioactive dials for other instruments (notably aircraft flight instruments) continued into the 1970s.
 
Early 1800s.


They were worn mostly by women, because being on the arm they were exposed to the elements, and easily damaged. Mens pocket watches were more protected.


And they were also considered effeminate. Women wore wrist watches. MEN used pocket watches.


History of Watches | Development of Wristwatches


I read the linked article. Wrist watches gained popularity among men in WW I, when officers were required to have a luminous watch with unbreakable crystal.

I think I recall reading that Hans Wilsdorf created the first water resistant watch, the Rolex Oyster, in the 1920's.
 
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This came in the mail today, all the way from Japan:

DDF122-A3-3380-48-DC-BB07-9-ED4056620-A4.jpg


E51-F10-D9-A71-D-4813-B983-F124327-DF4-DD.jpg


Well not the 64 guys, the watch! :)

It's a Timex retro throwback to the famed Ingersol Midget pocketwatches, converted into wristwatches, during WW1 and used by our fighting men "over there".

Really neat looking watch. I won't be timing any creeping barrage attacks or synchronizing for when to go "over the top", but it's just awesome! Wonderful WW1 themed field watch. It's an exclusive watch for the Japanese market, they offer two very similar models in the US but they don't look quite as much like the originals.

It has Timex's Indiglo feature which I really enjoy. The dial is clear and easy to read, perfect for moonlight trench raiding. The lugs are actually soldered on, as were the original Ingersols when they were converted into wrist watches for the fighting men who didn't want to fish around for a pocket watch during battle. The domed crystal is super old school as is the "onion" crown. The leather strap is a replica of those worn on the originals. The dial and hands are painted to resemble old radium paint. The same look, now with no radiation sickness! ;)

And yes, sorry PC police, it does in fact say "MIDGET" on it, as did the original Ingersol Midgets. Different times back then and thankfully the Japanese weren't afraid to include it. The word is not found on the American variants lest we be offended!

Just thought I'd share, gang. Take care!

-Jay
Thank's Jay, thanks a lot buddy, like I need another watch! lol
I'm gonna have to check those out! Thanks for sharing, those are really cool.
FWIW, this is what Radium does after a while, can you imagine soaking it up from the underside?
 

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