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Weems research question

SpeedyPhill
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A reminder for Weems aficionados that we're still trying to identify the specific Weems big crown aviator watch worn by Neil Armstrong during Gemini VIII. It belonged to Armstrong's childhood aviator hero James Mattern (1905-1988), who was also a testpilot for Lockheed and supported the space program. Mattern's record breaking attemps took place in the early 1930s...
Again in this photo it's obvious it's a " midsize " Weems as it looks smaller than the Omega Speedmaster chronograph...
(Photo: NASA)
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1966_VIII.jpg

For later reference: https://flightbirds.net/category/pilot-watches/page/4/
Edited:
 
SpeedyPhill
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With the " midsize " range Weems aviator watches, not even sure this was a Longines...
All inputs welcomed !
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WEEMS-MWU.jpg
 
shishy
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Movado Weems has been with me for a while. They look tiny but I think they're extremely wearable. You won't want to part with your weems when you get it. There are many vintage watches out there, but only a few feel like history on your wrist.

782a4d6a-667f-4e2a-a352-66f6567bcc6b.JPG
 
SpeedyPhill
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center portion of James Jimmie Mattern's Weems aviator looks like this: Hour Angle version 👎
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33-LONGINES.jpg
 
SpeedyPhill
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One of James Mattern's aviator watches was on display at " The Frontiers of Flight " museum in Dallas Texas USA.
About the Gemini VIII prelaunch suit-up procedure we read:
As the Gemini VIII astronauts donned their suits, a watch belonging to aviation pioneer Jimmy Mattern was strapped around Neil Armstrong’s wrist, and pieces of wood and cloth from an old Douglas World Cruiser, the New Orleans, were packed with David Scott’s personal effects.
Both were on loan from the museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
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Any idea where Mattern's wrist watch is displayed nowadays ?
 
SpeedyPhill
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Also answering in this topic... I belief the aviator watch has a center dark portion with a broader light-cream colored edge around it, not a full black dial...
I also verified, Gemini VIII did a simulated launch with both astronauts inside the actual capsule on March 9, 1966.
As with most training, no extra wrist watches would have been worn during such a 3 hours simulated spaceflight test...
March 11, 1966 Gemini VIII photo session with astronauts in space suit, no watches were worn...
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Edit: James Mattern as supporter of spaceflight program: https://www.jimmiemattern.com/gallery
Edited:
 
Waltesefalcon
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Phill, I'm not 100% sold that the watch in question is a Weems. If it is it is definitely the small version as you've said. It could easily be a Baby Lindbergh hour angle. Here is an example I found from the National Air and Space Museum:
NASM-NASM2013-00137.jpg
I suggest picking @Seiji 's brain, he owns several Weems and is an expert on them.
 
SpeedyPhill
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Indeed @Seiji and I talked about this in London and he was also thinking "" Baby Lindbergh Hour angle ""...
 
SpeedyPhill
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Amazed to hear via the JamesMattern website that the Gemini VIII space-flown big crown aviator watch went missing... reminds us of a certain NASA-issued n° 43... 🙁
 
SpeedyPhill
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For those interested in the aviation history, Japanese pilot Masajiro Kawato was mentioned in an earlier post... shot down US Marine Corps ace Gregory "Gramps" "Papy" Boyington in January 1944.
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Kawato.webp
 
SpeedyPhill
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80 years ago... October 21 1944, was the day when the Imperial Japanese Navy initiated a special attack force of volunteers which would become the Kamikaze "Divine Wind" units. Four units were formed: Unit Shikishima, Unit Yamato, Unit Asahi and Unit Yamazakura.
The best available illustrated literature on Japanese Navy & Air Force pilots is in Japanese language, but let me point out two English language books on the subject:
Japanese Naval Aces & Fighter Units in World War II (1989 Ikuhiko Hata & Yasuho Izawa - 442 pages)
Beyond Pearl Harbor: The Untold Stories of Japan's Naval Airmen (2008 Ron Werneth - 260 pages)
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ImpJapanNavy-MWU.webp
 
SpeedyPhill
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Here's another huge Japanese Imperial Navy Air Service aviator wrist watch (1945 Chiba Provence - Japan) ... Seikosha or Weems ?
(Photo: Yoshino collection)
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1945_.webp
 
SpeedyPhill
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When an OmegaForums.net topic makes one go through old military stuff... #Weems
(Photo: Moonwatchuniverse)
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WEEMS-MWU01.webp
 
JohnLy
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Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
Granted the presentation in the video is rather lacking, but to me, this collection is not as impressive as Seiji's. Seiji also knows how to present his watches in a way that is both informative and artistic, rather than just throwing them on a bed.
The owner of that collection is one of the most respected and knowledgable longines collectors, specifically, the Weems and Linberg references. He gave an incredible presentation at the Longines GTG in London last year that increased the knowledge and appreciation of these amazing watches of history. I do not take anything away from Seiji's collection and knowledge, which I have great respect for but do not judge his collection by the videos presentation. It is so much more than what was shown.
 
Waltesefalcon
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JohnLy JohnLy
The owner of that collection is one of the most respected and knowledgable longines collectors, specifically, the Weems and Linberg references. He gave an incredible presentation at the Longines GTG in London last year that increased the knowledge and appreciation of these amazing watches of history. I do not take anything away from Seiji's collection and knowledge, which I have great respect for but do not judge his collection by the videos presentation. It is so much more than what was shown.
I'm sure he is knowledgeable and his collection is impressive. I still think that the video doesn't do an impressive collection justice and I wish we could see more of it and have it presented in a better fashion. I was too harsh after my first viewing of the video, and I have deleted that comment.
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
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Nice watch, but the price is more than a bit ambitious.
gatorcpa
 
Waltesefalcon
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Nice watch, but the price is more than a bit ambitious.
gatorcpa
That's what I thought. At half that price it would probably be okay. Luckily, it is way out of my price range for me to be really tempted by it.
 
Lépine
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I think I paid $6K and 8K for my Annapolis. They were only made in 1937.
An extremely rare watch of which only a few have shown up on the internet.
It was over 10 years between the first one I saw on Wannabuyawatch.com and when I bought my first one.

This is only the third gilt dial to resurface.
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