WW1 Pilot's (Wilhelm Hippert's) Wristwatch

Modest_Proposal · Dec 31, 2021

I just thought I'd share this interesting photo of Wilhelm Hippert.

The intent of the photo was to showcase burgeoning high-altitude oxygen technology, which is interesting in itself. But also note his pocket watch conversion. The case suggests a pre-1900's watch silver-cased watch - possible key wound. But details are lacking.

Just a photo with a thousand interesting details.

wsfarrell · Dec 31, 2021

That oxygen thingy is astonishing--never saw anything like it. And he's wearing a nose clip!

ahsposo · Dec 31, 2021

What do you think the date of that photo is? 1920?

Evitzee · Dec 31, 2021

Interesting that it is a color photograph, unless it has been colorized.

SkunkPrince · Dec 31, 2021

Evitzee
Interesting that it is a color photograph, unless it has been colorized.

I draw your attention to the logo in the lower left. 😀

Evitzee · Dec 31, 2021

SkunkPrince
I draw your attention to the logo in the lower left. 😀

Thanks, I didn't see that. Colorizing photos and movies is an abomination, akin to slapping a refinished dial on a vintage watch and saying you are 'bringing it back to life'. Many younger people are uninterested in B&W photos and movies.

Modest_Proposal · Jan 1, 2022

ahsposo
What do you think the date of that photo is? 1920?

The Great War started and ended in the 1910's, so no. Unless the photo was taken after the war, which is unlikely.

Modest_Proposal · Jan 1, 2022

Evitzee
Thanks, I didn't see that. Colorizing photos and movies is an abomination, akin to slapping a refinished dial on a vintage watch and saying you are 'bringing it back to life'. Many younger people are uninterested in B&W photos and movies.

Most collectors who see a refinished dial that is so close to the real thing as to be indistinguishable - just as you mistook the photo as originally color - don't call it an "abomination". They respect the work, even if it's less valuable than the original.

kingsrider · Jan 1, 2022

THaaat must be the be the definition of Steam Punk in a picture. Fantastic!

JwRosenthal · Jan 1, 2022

The colorization is actually kind of neat, but I get why some may not like it. I have handled original 3 plate color negatives from the 1910’s -there was a large push in Russia to document the life of the “common” and “country folk” using this technology, they are truly amazing images. I have seen the original 1930’s Kodachrome (girl on the beach) which is in essence a dye process.
I have glass plate stereographic images that are all hand colored from the 1910’s-30’s. Some look cartoonish, some breathtaking. The art of colorizing monochromatic images is a technique as old as photography itself- I throw no shade at it…unless it’s towards Ted Turner.

OMTOM · Jan 2, 2022

It might be a barometer - thus for him an altimeter.

JimInOz · Jan 2, 2022

OMTOM
It might be a barometer - thus for him an altimeter.

For the mission he's suited up for, a barometer would be more useful than a watch.

I also see that the designers of the oxy system were less than confident in the structural integrity of contemporary high pressure oxygen cylinders.

On an aside, I hold huge respect for all men, from whatever nationality, who tested "ideas" thought up by others.

Omegafanman · Jan 2, 2022

OMTOM
It might be a barometer - thus for him an altimeter.

That is a good thought. Looking at the rudimentary cockpit gauges the focus (as one would imagine) is fuel and engine RPM. The fact he has an Oxygen system to manage and the Ceiling on the aircraft is 20,000 feet adds a lot of weight to your suggestion, the size / what looks like a setting wheel also matches. Surprised they would not mount it in the cockpit.
I guess staying high and staying alert gives a big advantage in a fight.

OMTOM · Jan 2, 2022

Here's mine. But of course they were used as altimeters (with a different dial), for example in balloons, also around this time.

Archer · Jan 2, 2022

JwRosenthal
The colorization is actually kind of neat, but I get why some may not like it. I have handled original 3 plate color negatives from the 1910’s -there was a large push in Russia to document the life of the “common” and “country folk” using this technology, they are truly amazing images. I have seen the original 1930’s Kodachrome (girl on the beach) which is in essence a dye process.
I have glass plate stereographic images that are all hand colored from the 1910’s-30’s. Some look cartoonish, some breathtaking. The art of colorizing monochromatic images is a technique as old as photography itself- I throw no shade at it…unless it’s towards Ted Turner.

For me personally, it's messing with history in this context. If there's skill involved is largely irrelevant to me - there's skill involved in making a fake watch, but we don't celebrate that.

I will admit that my views on this are probably coloured by seeing too many Ted Turner colourized movies...that were poorly done and that I would rather see in their original form.

Omegafanman · Jan 2, 2022

OMTOM
Here's mine. But of course they were used as altimeters (with a different dial), for example in balloons, also around this time.

I think that pic makes your suggestion the most probable now. Good spot / interesting photo from the OP

Omegafanman · Jan 2, 2022

Archer
For me personally, it's messing with history in this context. If there's skill involved is largely irrelevant to me - there's skill involved in making a fake watch, but we don't celebrate that.

I will admit that my views on this are probably coloured by seeing too many Ted Turner colourized movies...that were poorly done and that I would rather see in their original form.

The James Webb telescope will focus on different light wave lengths to Hubble - but I imagine photos will be ‘adjusted’ back to visible wavelengths for some publications. If it enhances or emphasises data I don’t have an issue with it (painting an original negative would be a big no of course)

SkunkPrince · Jan 2, 2022

Archer
I will admit that my views on this are probably coloured by seeing too many Ted Turner colourized movies...that were poorly done and that I would rather see in their original form.

I've seen a few where the original B&W was restored and wow, what a difference.

JwRosenthal · Jan 2, 2022

Omegafanman
(painting an original negative would be a big no of course)

Yeah, that a big fat no. The original source material is sacrosanct. The reason I don’t have an issue with the OP image is that it is very clearly watermarked as colorized. Kudos to the company/person that went to the extra effort to note that- it shows they had no intention of trying to deceive and this was an artistic rendering of sorts.
We maintain an archival database at work, all original gelatin negatives or digital RAW files are banked and under the lock and key of an archives team. All corrected/manipulated tiff and working files are open to the office for use in separated folders. Any images that are altered (such as mock-up images, enhanced images, stitched panoramic images etc) are noted as “photo illustrations”.
Of course someone could web-grab the OP image and remove the watermark, then falsely claim it is a long lost early color image to deceive, but that is the problem with open access to images on the web- the creator loses control.
I don’t see colorizing images as an ethical issue like making fake watches, more akin to redials which is a matter of taste. You either like a freshly redialed watch or you don’t. As long as it is clearly noted by the creator and understood by the viewer, I don’t have issue with it.

Omegafanman · Jan 2, 2022

JwRosenthal
Yeah, that a big fat no. The original source material is sacrosanct. The reason I don’t have an issue with the OP image is that it is very clearly watermarked as colorized. Kudos to the company/person that went to the extra effort to note that- it shows they had no intention of trying to deceive and this was an artistic rendering of sorts.
We maintain an archival database at work, all original gelatin negatives or digital RAW files are banked and under the lock and key of an archives team. All corrected/manipulated tiff and working files are open to the office for use in separated folders. Any images that are altered (such as mock-up images, enhanced images, stitched panoramic images etc) are noted as “photo illustrations”.
Of course someone could web-grab the OP image and remove the watermark, then falsely claim it is a long lost early color image to deceive, but that is the problem with open access to images on the web- the creator loses control.
I don’t see colorizing images as an ethical issue like making fake watches, more akin to redials which is a matter of taste. You either like a freshly redialed watch or you don’t. As long as it is clearly noted by the creator and understood by the viewer, I don’t have issue with it.

I was due to fly in an old plane 2021 year ...but got weather cancelled twice.... now due this year... I am very happy for them to redial all the bits that need it :0)

WW1 Pilot's (Wilhelm Hippert's) Wristwatch

Modest_Proposal

wsfarrell

ahsposo

Evitzee

SkunkPrince

Evitzee

Modest_Proposal

Modest_Proposal

kingsrider

JwRosenthal

OMTOM

JimInOz

Omegafanman

OMTOM

Archer

Omegafanman

Omegafanman

SkunkPrince

JwRosenthal

Omegafanman

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