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The UG x Benrus Skychief mystery

whitedot
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Last discussed here.

I found another one. Identical, save red chrono seconds hand and import code that appears to start with a Z, possibly ZX - I can't make out the last letter. Case measures ~32mm.

Here's the intriguing part. Caseback is engraved with a pilot's name and 1939. I was able to track the guy down in the news archives. Benrus presented him with a Sky Chief.

rTTB8Yr.jpg
fMPneaP.png FtDGWhN.png
MIxVAy2.png fTX4V8N.png


IMO, the dial has been retouched.

Thoughts?
Edited:
 
woodwkr2
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The subdial appears to have been redone. The 6 o'clock subdial hand looks like it was cut down or clipped at an angle.

These are quite odd. Any other pictures?

Would love to see the news article you found...
 
woodwkr2
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Wow! That's how you document the provence of an odd watch. Congrats! You've added a new and unusual example to the UG repertoire. I wonder if these were a one off type thing for TWA
 
D
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woodwkr2 woodwkr2
Wow! That's how you document the provence of an odd watch. Congrats! You've added a new and unusual example to the UG repertoire. I wonder if these were a one off type thing for TWA
 
Foo2rama
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D Duchene1
I k ow this is an old post. But i have one of these as well
There's a third post in these also that's more recent. There is a somewhat interesting discussion of the dial variation or not in it.

We would love to see yours.
 
D
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The name engraved on the back of the watch is Captain George K rice I was able to research him a little bit and this photo comes from an archive at Aviation Museum in Missouri Captain George K rice is on the far right
 
Foo2rama
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D Duchene1
Whats the trade value of this to a collector?
That's something you will have to research yourself these don't come up often and you have an interesting full set.
 
Mlafra
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Duchene1, what are the dimensions (diameter) of the watch? From the pic it looks quite small, like 32/33mm (excluding crown)?
Is the movement still working and the chronograph functioning (a part from obviously needing a service)? Is the bezel rotating freely? I cannot see the pointer that should be present in these bezels.

If the dimension is indeed 32/33mm and considering the relatively poor condition of the dial it will have a very limited market appeal, as it will considered too small and also not well preserved enough. That being said it is indeed true that it is an interesting watch and the set makes it interesting, but only to hard core collectors as oppose to people that buy to wear and/or buy to speculate.
Me for istance I could be interested as a collector item, but I would never wear it

I guess that best way would be to put it on Ebay and see what it does.
 
waXology
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Mlafra Mlafra
Duchene1, what are the dimensions (diameter) of the watch? From the pic it looks quite small, like 32/33mm (excluding crown)?
Is the movement still working and the chronograph functioning (a part from obviously needing a service)? Is the bezel rotating freely? I cannot see the pointer that should be present in these bezels.

If the dimension is indeed 32/33mm and considering the relatively poor condition of the dial it will have a very limited market appeal, as it will considered too small and also not well preserved enough. That being said it is indeed true that it is an interesting watch and the set makes it interesting, but only to hard core collectors as oppose to people that buy to wear and/or buy to speculate.
Me for istance I could be interested as a collector item, but I would never wear it

I guess that best way would be to put it on Ebay and see what it does.

You can see the red arrow of the rotating bezel in the pic of it sitting in the box.

Certainly an intriguing watch that is for sure. The arabic numbering and the serial seem to fit the period of 39' i believe.
 
Larry S
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Dunno .... another rare bird in the UG aviary. This with a full set and interesting provenance. Could also be of interest to aviation collectors. TWA is an iconic brand. It's very cool but as a display item. I'd research it carefully.
 
LouS
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Great find! Thank you VERY much for sharing.
 
Larry S
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LouS LouS
Great find! Thank you VERY much for sharing.
+1
 
ConElPueblo
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waXology waXology
Certainly an intriguing watch that is for sure. The arabic numbering and the serial seem to fit the period of 39' i believe.


Speaking as complete layman, the numerals are identical to my 1940 Eterna and are certainly Bauhaus influenced 😀


wp_20170523_14_32_16_pro-jpg.393904


Nice watch!
 
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