Omega Forums

oinkitt · Jan 23, 2020

I bought this interesting Ulysse Nardin chronograph off eBay a few years ago.

It sold very cheaply as it was listed as a US only sale and few potential purchasers appeared to be interested in it.

I didn't pay any attention to the engraving on the back at the time, I just wanted the watch to add to my UN collection.

After it arrived I started doing some research.

The EIMAC gang were a group of radio engineers from California who were the first civilians to bounce a radio signal off the moon. There are a few links below for anyone who is interested.

http://www.rfcafe.com/references/el...th-contact-october-1960-electronics-world.htm

http://www.ka9q.net/moonbounce-notes/Moonbounce Group Part 1, The - Eimac.pdf

There is more info available online if anyone wants to do more research.

The person the watch was gifted to "Jay", was Jay Eitel. Mr Eitel must have helped the EIMAC gang rather significantly to receive such a gift.

Mr Eitel was the inventor of the cherry picker amongst other things, he was also a very passionate "car guy" Mr Eitel died in his mid 90s, probably not long before this watch came into my possession.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=jay-eitel&pid=158037672

Below is a very interesting video interview with Mr Eitel where he discusses his long and interesting life, its well worth the hour and a half to listen to it. He talks about his input into car racing. I urge members to listen youtube interview, the things the old timers did to modify cars is amazing!!!!

Its a pity he is not wearing the watch in the interview.

The watch also has the nicest movement of all the 30 odd Ulysse Nardin chronographs I have. None of the others I have are adjusted.

The watch was made in 1945 according to Ulysse Nardin archives, so it sat at the retailers for 10 years before it sold.

I hope someone finds this as interesting as I did. Its sad so many of the engravings have been removed from watches in the past.