1919 Elgin Pershing Dial with Military Nickel Pilots Watch

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1919 Elgin Pershing Dial with Military Nickel Pilots Watch

About the Item

Ingraham Pershing pilots watch. Wow, as a pilot I cannot believe my great fortune on obtaining this watch. Many watch brands make a case for creating the first true pilots watch, or “THE” pilot’s watch. Cartier has a real case for the Santos Dumont. It was created for the famous French pioneering aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1904 to wear on his wrist. Pocket watches were used in that period but were very difficult to utilize while flying an early aircraft. There was literally no taking your hands off the controls for even an instant, as these old airplanes were incredibly unstable. Today it is Breitling that wears the crown in aviation but then, there is this. During the First World War Ingraham created a series of wristwatches for use by the military. These were called the Pershing, the Foch and the Kitchener after three of the wars leading Generals. The Pershings were also called trench watches and were used by artillerymen and foot soldiers alike. As such, a few survived and are these days considered a great collectors piece. This little watch is a very special Pershing, one with a literal twist. It has been modified by Ingraham with a face and crown that are angled in relation to the right wrist but present perfectly when the hand is on the control stick of the aircraft. This meant you did not have to raise your arm up to get a clear look at the time. It is a simple but quite clever modification created for WW 1 aviators and I think, quite useful. I have spent time many hours in the cramped cockpit of an early biplane and the one resource you invariably lack is much room to do anything other than just fly the ship. This watch alleviated just a little bit of additional workload but it could be significant. Having any resource making it easier to figure out how much fuel you have remaining while a Fokker is trying to get on your tail must have been appreciated. ITEM DETAILS Brand: Elgin Serial Number: 21454324 Bezel Material: Nickel Case Material: Nickel Caseback Material: Nickel Movement: Elgin, 462, Stem Wind, 7 Jewels Markings to Inside: Nickel, 920791 Functions: Subdial Clasp Style: Buckle Bracelet Style: NATO Bracelet Length: 9.25" Case to case: 31.00mm Lug to lug: 35.00mm

Creator:
Elgin
Case Material:
Base Metal
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1919
Condition:
Light scratches on glass.
Seller Location:
Bradford, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 001331stDibs: LU1991211798072