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Which watch?

mad dog

the 🪨 🗒️ ✂️ champion
pilot
Contributor
What's the story behind these? Why did the US issue Breitlings?
Good questions…I have no idea. I’m not a mil watch guy or a Breitling guy…that Breitling is my only mil watch as well as my only Breitling, and it was a gift. I’ve attempted to do some light research but haven’t had much luck…I probably need to delve into a mil watch forum and do some dedicated searching. Also, I believe Hamilton and Elgin manufactured similar type mil watches during the WW2/Korean War era.
 

Griz882

Frightening children with the Griz-O-Copter!
pilot
Contributor
What's the story behind these? Why did the US issue Breitlings?
@mad dog has a navigation stop watch here (as he knows well), the middle piece of the navy system that included a Master Navigation Clock, a Navigation Stop Watch, and the wrist watch. They were used at sea and in the air with the Master Clock on the ship, the pocket watch being assigned primarily to ship navigation departments and aviation patrol squadrons. As for Breitlings, they wanted to feed from the federal tit so they combined with Wakman Watch Company to plus up the contract (Wackman made the small 8 day clock found in most Cold War military jets up too and including the F-4). On top of that, after WWII the Swiss stopped importing their movements in an effort to prop up their specialized market. By combining with an American company Breitling was able to get a solid foothold in the US and ship Swiss movements legally. In the end…Breitling swallowed up Wakmann and became the company we know now.
 

AllAmerican75

FUBIJAR
None
Contributor
@mad dog has a navigation stop watch here (as he knows well), the middle piece of the navy system that included a Master Navigation Clock, a Navigation Stop Watch, and the wrist watch. They were used at sea and in the air with the Master Clock on the ship, the pocket watch being assigned primarily to ship navigation departments and aviation patrol squadrons. As for Breitlings, they wanted to feed from the federal tit so they combined with Wakman Watch Company to plus up the contract (Wackman made the small 8 day clock found in most Cold War military jets up too and including the F-4). On top of that, after WWII the Swiss stopped importing their movements in an effort to prop up their specialized market. By combining with an American company Breitling was able to get a solid foothold in the US and ship Swiss movements legally. In the end…Breitling swallowed up Wakmann and became the company we know now.

Very cool, thanks.
 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot

 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot
How does @ChuckMK23 find time for these shenanigans? Between getting paid to fly and corrupting the youth with sea stories, it would seem he stays very, very busy.

Listen I hardly have the best deal - I find it remarkable that major airline pays full FO salary for almost a year awaiting training to sit at home and enjoy vacation lifestyle. That's winning! ?
 
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