Went Through D-Day, The Battle of the Bulge, and a Concentration Camp

gatorcpa · Nov 3, 2019

VetPsychWars
After WWI, American watch companies made numerous examples of ordnance watches and I do not believe the US ARMY stamp on the back of that Omega to be genuine, mostly because it's hand stamped. They had machines for this purpose.

They did, but these watches were ordered in a hurry after the invasion. They are specifically mentioned in the OVD database for Ref. 2179.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-other-us-army-ck-2179

There were other watches made with the same dial and movement with a Ref. 2384 case. The engraving on these looks more machine made than the Ref. 2179.

Hopes this helps,
gatorcpa

ConElPueblo · Nov 3, 2019

J Jim Thoma
The truth is I don't know when and where he got the watch. There is no photos of him with a watch until he was in France. So he could have purchased it while in Southern England in 1943. His captaincy dates from when he was sent by the army to the University of Chicago, which was very early in 1942. As a captain he would have be eligible to have a watch issued to him. And at the time it would have been as necessary to him to do his job as a rifle to me.

Get an "Extract of The Archives" if you can for this reference. It might show it as being delivered to Germany, who knows?

VetPsychWars · Nov 3, 2019

Huh, learning more. Seems odd to buy chronometers from someone else when you have Hamilton...

Tom

Jim Thoma · Nov 3, 2019

Hello Friends, if I may call you that.

I have gratefully listed to everyone and have come to the conclusion that the watch is an Omega, CK 2319, 37mm, 15 Jewel, manual wind, stainless steel, wrist watch made and purchased in 1943. I believe that Jim purchased the watch in Shepton Mallet or a nearby town between 01 Jul 1943 and Dec 31, 1943.

I have also decided to have the watch put back into working order with the crystal replaced along with replacement pigskin bands. I will attempt to find a decent watch box to go along with it. When the time comes one grandson can have this watch or a Waltham Premier open faced pocket watch with a James Boss Keystone 14 K white gold filled case. Is there a good place to go for help on Waltham pocket watches as this one is almost as interesting?

But I would like to thank each and everyone of you who have helped and encouraged me.

May God Keep You in His Arms
Sincerely,
Jim Thoma

joe band · Nov 6, 2019

one of the reasons i love vintage watches is the allure and mystery of where they have been and what they have witnessed before they got to me... just a temporary guardian on their longer journey marking the passage of time.

thanks for telling about your moment with them

Bill Sohne · Nov 6, 2019

J Jim Thoma
He almost appears to not need that cane. U of M is Maine, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota?

in this case is was U of Minnesota... then he head east .....

He also met Margaret Mitchell at a social event in Atlanta, Ga at some gala and they wanted some sharp look Army officers to attend... all " young and dumb" ...... When Ms. Mitchell came in and none of the officers were able to converse with her ( they were not skilled in the art of small talk) . My father broke the ice by saying... I just finished reading " Storm" ( as it was part of the meteorological course .... ) and the rest of the evening was a real ball!

Best
bill