Hey everybody,

I was reading an article on the A-11 watches made by Bulova, Elgin, and Waltham and apparently the original spec allowed for some lumed and some watches without lume?

To my knowledge, the hands and dial just used white paint? In my attached photo, this would be considered the “unlumed” dial correct?

 

No lume, just white paint. The A-17 was lumed.

 

Good to know! Logically I knew radium wouldn’t be bright white after 80 years but just wanted to check. The binding agents they used on lume varied all the time. Thanks!

 

Mind you, that doesn't mean lume couldn't have been added at some point, just that it didn't leave the factory that way.

 

Wrong here is the proof see the hands and lume dots this sure left the factory that way. You need to get a copy of Military timepieces by Whittney the bible of US military watch collecting first book I got when I got into collecting US military watches. The Navy and Marines Corps air crews had lume versions from what I understand. I got this one for my dad he was a ball turret gunner and flight engineer on Avenger torpedo aircraft in WW2 he lost his so got him this one for Christmas one year. My dad passed away a few years ago and I got the watch back not the way wanted it back. You talk to the vets, and you learn what equipment they used another way sometimes better than books.

 

Did have ssc-88-w-800.110028 on case back but everything the same as a A-11 except dial and hands.

 

Then it wasn't an A-11, was it?

 

Mine has a A-11 case back but most likely switch but who knows.

 

You might look for TM9-1575, Ordnance Maintenance Wrist Watches, Pocket Watches, Stop Watches, and Clocks on archive.org. Lots of fun info on what was in the ordnance system by the end of the war. I had an A-11 that was actually sold after the war as surplus by Elgin, because SURPRISE! your government contract is over, do what you want with the stock you've made... gotta love it.

 

Elgin A11 no lume

Waltham FSSC with lume


They came in many flavors

 

Beautiful watches! Certainly there is some variation to be had here. I think visually the stark white is easy enough to see on different examples.

 

Waltham A-11, 1944, RCAF. Redialed by those crazy Canucks to include a healthy dose of radium in the mid sixties.

 

I would be one of those crazy Canucks beautiful watch!

 

I am one as well. Its a great place, superior beer, not all that many weapons floating around, lotsa wildlife invading the backyard.

plus we can buy @DaveK lanyards without paying duty!

 

This is what I love about this forum, everyone has their priorities straight.

 

Funny enough, I sold one this morning (through my Etsy site) to a gent in the UK, and I saw that there was $24+ in taxes. The VAT kinda sucks. @Fritz, since you can avoid the VAT, just think how much money you’d save if you bought 5 or 6 more from me

 

makes we wish I had a job! The one thing that sucks about this transition period between both my wife and I working, and both of us retired, money is a bit of a mess right now. However, when I get it all straightened out, we'll talk...

I have this idea for an item in leather....

 

I feel your pain my friend- one income household at the moment.

 

In my case I was promoted to a job I didn’t want because I’d done it at two previous companies and the stress was killing me. ( quality manger, automotive components) I tried it again for a year and, surprise, surprise, the stress was killing me. So I looked at the numbers and pulled the plug.

now I’m a house husband with laundry and toilets to clean... its great!

Next week I have an interview for a bicycle mechanic position at a local shop, part time... that would be fun and leave time for toilets and wash! Wish me luck!