That is a great story. I hope I can find out as much as you did! Thank you for sharing it.
There was a name inscribed on the back which started it all. If anyone else has previous history on their current vintage watch, please share it.
I've a few watches with some information on the prior owner. Although not a Longines, a Gruen I have has some interesting history to it. I also have a WWI Waltham watch that belonged to an accountant from the early days of the oil boom.... From PA to MI to WY to TX.... Another Waltham was the possession of a funeral home owner in Iowa, and former member of the 351st Infantry that saw action in France; has some great provenance.
The Gruen though is my favorite:
https://sometimetospare.wordpress.com/2021/04/23/the-watch-of-lieutenant-colonel-w-a-marshall/
It is the connections to geology, Colorado and also having been a combat engineer.
I've a few watches with some information on the prior owner. Although not a Longines, a Gruen I have has some interesting history to it. I also have a WWI Waltham watch that belonged to an accountant from the early days of the oil boom.... From PA to MI to WY to TX.... Another Waltham was the possession of a funeral home owner in Iowa, and former member of the 351st Infantry that saw action in France; has some great provenance.
The Gruen though is my favorite:
https://sometimetospare.wordpress.com/2021/04/23/the-watch-of-lieutenant-colonel-w-a-marshall/
It is the connections to geology, Colorado and also having been a combat engineer.
I would like to share with the community the history of my watch through pictures. It was a fun experience to search. I was gifted this watch a couple years ago from my mentor when I was in my apprenticeship to become a bench jeweler. There was a name inscribed on the back which started it all. If anyone else has previous history on their current vintage watch, please share it.
In the early 20th century there is more than half a million Edward M Corey
in the United States so you must have at least one more piece of information.
There is no indication that the watch was used by anyone in the military from
what I can see. Also you have some timeline issues. Sgt Corey was in France in 1944.
The watch was delivered to New York Nov 1944. VE Day in Europe isn't until May 1945.
It will be easier for him to take a watch off of a dead soldier than get the watch
to him by mail.
