Navigational instruments
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Hamilton Model 21 Marine Chronometers and Model 22 Deck Watches.   At the outbreak of W.W. II the United States Navy required high quality chronometers in large quantities at a time when very few chronometers were being manufactured in the country.  The Hamilton Watch Company was the only firm able to meet the challenge by  designing and producing an innovative marine chronometer in  a period of about 18 months.  Hamilton was able to produce the unit in sufficient numbers to meet U.S. wartime demand.  Further, the model 21 is technically probably one of the greatest achievements in the history of horology. The balance and hairspring assembly represented a radical departure from traditional chronometer design and resulted in phenomenal time keeping rates.   In addition, Hamilton also produced a 21 jewel lever escapement chronometer deck watch based in large part on their famous Railroad pocket watch, the model 992B.  A more detailed description of both the model 21 and 22 timepieces can be found in Whitney's book: Military Timepieces.  Authentic examples in good condition make nice additions to anyone's collection!

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Waltham, Master Time, 8-day, 15 Jewel in gold settings, adjusted to temperature and isochronism.  8-day running Master time source, deck watch gimbal mounted in three-tiered wooden box. This piece was manufactured by the Waltham Watch Company in Waltham, Mass., United States in 1911. The original three section box has the brass inlaid Waltham name plate as well as original finish and is in excellent condition.  The lid can be lifted which allows the chronometer watch to be viewed  while it is protected by a viewing glass.  The inside lid features a card which reads "Public Time Station Waltham Standard Time".  Also included is the original factory card describing all the technical features of the timepiece and indicating this sold for $60 in 1911 (you could buy a nice house for about $4,000 then)!  Excellent/fine navy brass case with beveled cut glass crystal and gimbals. Excellent 15 jewel beautifully damaskeened, nickel dual "silver resilient" going barrel movement with mint condition arabic numeral silvered dial signed Waltham Watch, adjusted, and features up/down numeral indicator with red indicator window. This unit was probably displayed in a jewelry shop window and afforded passerby with a means to regulate their timepieces to the correct time while at the same time advertising for the shop and Waltham Watch Co.  Would look great in a library or similar environment.  A superb example of a seldom seen early United States made deck watch chronometer.

Hold (Price $1400)

Bulova Accuquartz Navigator Mark III Analog Ship's Chronometer manufactured by the Bulova firm around 1973.  Short lived navigational chronometer by the Bulova firm was made and designed to be extremely accurate.  Uses an Accutron caliber 224 movement. Shows time, day & date.

The movement is housed in a solid brass cylinder that is fastened by a spring loaded mechanism to the inside of the box.  The traditional styled chronometer case measures 4.75x4.75x4.75 and is has a top lid which when raised reveals the Accuquartz below a Plexiglas shield (removed for picture).  When stem is pulled out, the chronometer stops so it can be synchronized to the exact second with a master time source.   Case features traditional drop handles and an unengraved name plate in front.

The unit appears to have seen little if any actual use. This is only the 5th I've seen since I've been collecting chronometers (I have one in my collection). This seldom encountered chronometer would make a great addition to a chronometer, military or Bulova Accutron collection.

Price $800

Bulova Accutron Navigator Mark II Analog Ship's 24-hour dial Chronometer manufactured by the Bulova firm around 1969.  Short lived navigational chronometer by the Bulova firm was made and designed to be extremely accurate.  It utilizes three (3) Accutron caliber 214 movements which are sanwitched together and offset at 120 degrees to cancel error.  This chronometer design was produced for a limited period of time betwwen mechnical chronometers and their modern quartz brothers.  It was over $800 at the time.  Refer to pages 313-14 of Whitney's. The Ship's Chronometer for more information.  

The movement is housed in a solid brass cylinder that is fastened by a spring loaded mechanism to the inside of the box.  The traditional styled chronometer case measures 4.75x4.75x4.75 and is has a top lid which when raised reveals the Accutron chronometer below a Plexiglas shield (removed for picture).  When stem is pulled out, the chronometer stops so it can be synchronized to the exact second with a master time source.   Case features traditional drop handles and an unengraved name plate in front. 

The unit appears to have seen little if any actual use and is in near mint condition throughout. This is only the second I've seen since I've been collecting chronometers (its brother is in my collection). This rare chronometer would make a great addition to a chronometer, military or Bulova Accutron collection.

Price $1500

Garmin eTrex Vista 24 MB GPS with Compass, Altimeter & PC cable -- It's the ultimate navigational tool.  The eTrex Vista has enough map detail to help get you out of town, an electronic compass to keep you on course, and a barometric altimeter to record the details of your trek.  this GPS is designed for serious hikers and climbers who want the best in navigation on or off the trail.  The Vista comes with a PC cable to download map data for greater detail.  I've used one for 6 months now and find it to be indispensable whether looking for an address out of town, my way back to a point on a trail, or looking for a Thai restaurant in a new city anywhere in the world.  Our Price: $262.95.  

Elgin B.W. Raymond,United States Army Air Force Navigational Master Watch GCT, 22 jewels, adjusted six positions. 16 size. Circa 1943.  Hack setting (stem pulls out to stop second hand). Military nomenclature on back. Dial and movement are excellent. Case is in very good condition with slight wear from actual military use but was obviously well cared for. .

These timepieces were used by the navigator and pilot as the airplane's master time source during World War II and thereafter (this example dates from W.W. II). It was intended to be set to Greenwich Civil Time (GCT).  These are rarer than the Hamilton 4992B version.  A Nice example of a W.W. II Navigational Master Watch GCT.

Price $475

Hamilton, early 4992B, United States Army Air Force Navigational Master Watch GCT, 22 jewels, adjusted six positions. 16 size. Circa 1952.  Hack setting (stem pulls out to stop second hand). Military nomenclature on back. Dial and movement are excellent. Case is in very good/excellent condition with some slight signs of use but no wear through.  

These timepieces were used by the navigator and pilot as the airplane's master time source during World War II and thereafter (this example dates from W.W. II). It was intended to be set to Greenwich Civil Time (GCT).  This unit is supplied with the seldom found original  metal carrying case, also with full military markings, designed to  isolate the watch from magnetic fields and aircraft vibrations.  The case is in near mint condition with the original two piece cardboard outer shipping box (not pictured) .  A very nice example of a Korean War era Navigational Master Watch GCT.

Price $375

Hamilton: Navigational Stop Watch, Model 23 U. S. Unites States Air force. Circa 1956. 16 size, 19 Jewels, adjusted to temp and 3 positions.  Base metal screw back & bezel case. These were issued to the Army Air Corps, the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics, and the Air Council of the United Kingdom during WW II.  Limited numbers appear to have been sold to the U.S.A.F. during the 1950s.  The back has military markings including “Hamilton Watch Co.”. Case is very good with some nickle steel showing through on back from actual use. Movement and dial are near mint. This is a nice example of the "model 23".  Refer to Whitney’s Military Timepieces, pgs. 348-358. A high grade piece and excellent example of an U.S. made navigational stopwatch from the cold war.

Price $475

Breitling Navigational Stop Watch model 605A, United States Air Force, from Korean War, Circa 1952.  Chrome Case, Dial and Movement are signed Breitling.  The back has military markings including “Breitling Watch Corporation, U.S. Property”.  Dial is excellent and signed "Breitling" and "Swiss".  Case is excellent and beautifully chromed.  Movement is excellent. Runs well.  Refer to Whitney’s Military Timepieces, pgs. 359-361 for additional information.  This is one of the nicest examples I've seen in the last 20 years of collecting.  A high grade piece and excellent example of a Swiss manufactured navigational stopwatch from W.W. II!

Price $500

Helvatia, British Army issue General Service Timepiece, 15 jewels. 16 size. Circa 1939. This scarce example has full military nomenclature on back including the British Broad Arrow. Black dial and silver plated movement are excellent. The movement is a caliber 32A and is signed "General Watch Co., Switzerland" and "Helvatia, Swiss Made".  Case shows that the watch was well used but is in good condition with nickle showing on the rear and two small dings from typical wear from use during war time.   A nice example of a W. W. II GSTP from an unusual manufacturer!

Price $180

U.S. Military Watch: ADANAC, Steel case.   42x46 mm.  This is similar to above but was manufactured in 1988, USAF and USN, Navigational Wristwatch. Heavy steel case features screw down crown and is signed "Gallet and Co." on the back.  The unit is equipped with a high quality Swiss made high precision Quartz Movement.  The watch is water resistant to 6 ATM (196 Ft).  It is designed for maintaining accuracy at high altitude to 35,000 FT without compensating pressurization.  The rotating outer bezel provides marking for a second time zone.  The dial is signed "ADANAC" (that is "Canada" spelled backwards) and features the radioactive symbol (Tritium isotope).  The steel back has full military markings.  This is in excellent condition but has seen use.  It comes complete with a black nylon flight strap.  Makes a great everyday timekeeper.

Price $275. 

Yema Bipole watch for Transantarctica expedition.  New condition.  Limited quantity produced.  French Quartz Movement.  Large 46mm Solid Titanium Case, Reversible see through Sapphire crystal front (North pole) & back (South pole). Red Kevlar Waterproof Band and Brown Leather Band. Water Proof to 300 ft with Screw Down Crown.  Sidereal Solar Sighting Compass (Anti-magnetic).  Two screwdrivers and extra screws included for Change of Bands.   This YEMA Bipole (Bi-Polar) Watch was specifically designed for the successful Transantarctica expedition of Dr. Jean-Louis Etienne giving leaders of the expedition a way to find their bearings via the Sun through this sidereal watch.  The watch displays mean as well as sidereal time.   Manufactured in France!

One of 1500 made in 1989 with an original retail of $1500+! Commemorating an expedition crossing the Antarctic from one ocean to the other via the South Pole. Led by Jean-Louis Etienne of France. The quartz movement is working perfectly (a fresh battery has been installed).  The unit truly is "new old stock". The watch comes with a tool kit.  The unit is complete with original box, padded leather strap and instructions also.  Unique watch at a good value.  

SOLD (Price: $450).

Waltham Type A-13A-1 Aircraft Chronograph Clock: USAF: Viet Nam era.  8 day fully mechanical movement, 22 size, 22 jewels.  Circa 1965.  1 7/8 inch dial.  Unit signed "8 days", "Waltham", and "Type A-13A-1" and "USAF" with military contract numbers including "MFG. Dec., 1965".   Monometalic balance and Waltham's Conel overcoil hairspring.  Time display and one hour chronograph timer feature.  An interesting military aircraft clock with chronograph feature from the Viet Nam era that has been completely overhauled and regulated.

Price $275

Soviet military 24-hour clock (Model 55M) new old stock from the 1970s/80s.  This clock has an 8 day movement and was intended for use in an underground nuclear missile silo or on board a submarine, where night and day are not easily observable.  The clock controls a number of electrical functions via presettable or hardwired contacts. One complement of contacts is hard wired for the 4-hour length of the duty watch on a vessel.  A bimetallic temperature sensing element controls a built-in 27V heating element, turning it on when the temperature inside the case drops below 0 degrees C. The dial has a 24-hour chapter and a 60-minute chapter.  A window in the dial shows the state of the electrical contacts. Another window indicates the deck watches as a function of a 48-hour cycle. In other words, this clock is actually a 48-hour clock, although its dial has a capacity of only 24 hours ( a separate red indicator hand can be set to indicate change in 24 hr. cycles).  The clock movement is mechanical with two separate crowns, for winding and setting the main movement and another one for setting the controlled works.

The movement is extremely well made and intricate and is plated in gold with palladium electrical contacts.  Keeps great time.  The unit is new old stock (mint/unused condition).  Can be easily viewed while it sits on its side thus making it a great desk display. This is a cool looking cold war timepiece!

Price $275

Soviet MIG Chronograph with original matching box and papers. Circa 1981.  Some of the fastest and highest-flying Russian combat aircraft (such as MiG-25, MiG-29 and Su-27) have now been decommissioned, and this was for one of their instrument panel clocks!  Original Soviet A.F. issue, mil-spec, designed to withstand speeds of Mach 3 (1,800 mph) and altitudes of 100,000'. Built to keep time flawlessly while pulling 6 G's! A 27-volt heater ensures operation even at -70°F! 25 jewel 4 day mechanical chronograph movement, based on Jaeger Le Coultre design, inside an all-steel, dust/water-proof case.   Subsidiary dials indicate 30 minute and 12 hour elapsed time.  This clock appears to have never been issued.  2½" diameter, 2" deep, 2 lbs.  Complete with original box and factory booklet with rating certificate and numerous authority certification stamps (all with matching serial numbers.  Terrific for your desk, home or office.

Price $250

New Chronometer & Military Timepiece Books:

The Ship's Chronometer, by Marvin Whitney, Published by the American Watchmaker's Institute. Hardcover. 500 pages. Authoritative work on the subject. Treats chronometers from the earliest days to Atomic clocks. Excellent first hand description of the development of the Hamilton chronometer during W.W.II (Whitney was a chronometer maker at the U.S. Naval Observatory). General discussion of the disassembly, cleaning, and oiling of a chronometer. List of chronometer makers in the United States. Numerous photos and diagrams throughout. In my opinion, the best book on the subject! Price: $75

Military Timepieces, by Marvin Whitney, Published by the American Watchmaker's Institute. Hardcover. 667 pages. Comprehensive work that covers domestic/foreign aircraft clocks, elapsed time clocks, Elgin/Hamilton chronometers, Chelsea marine/boat/deck clocks, Longines-Wittnauer Watch Company, marine clocks, message center clocks, meteorological instrument clocks, master navigation (GCT) watches, navigational stop watches, pocket watches, precision watches, wristwatches, diver's wristwatches, and more. Good technical information spread throughout. A super reference book!

Price: $75