MILITARY WATCH BOX

THIS MWB IS A DIRECT RESULT OF A COMMANDER AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO WE WERE CONTACTED ABOUT PROVIDING A VINTAGE ANTI-SUB TIMER FOR A GRADUATING ENSIGN WHOSE FIRST ASSIGNMENT IS ON A NUCLEAR SUBMARINE.

WELL, WE PUT TOGETHER A BOX AND IN THE PROCESS NOT ONLY DID WE INVEST IN A FEW EXTRA ITEMS, OUR RESEARCH UNCOVERED AN AWESOME HISTORY… SO THUS THIS SUB-CHASER BOX WAS BORN…

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, OUR BOXES KEEP GROWING OVER TIME AS WE DISCOVER ADDITIONAL ITEMS.

IN THIS CASE ROCK HAS ENOUGH ITEMS, HISTORY –AND A BONUS OF PERSONAL HISTORY IN THE FORM OF ONE MICHAEL FRANCIS LA ROCCA IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC DURING WWII – TO CREATE THIS MILITARY WATCH BOX.

IF YOU LIKE THIS COLLECTION MAKE AN OFFER.. OR SIMPLY WAIT, MORE ITEMS WILL SURELY BE FOUND TO ADD TO THIS MWB….

DENISE.

WHAT IS IN THE BOX

ANTI-SUB US/UK WALTHAM USA
MILITARY WATCH BOX
1 WALTHAM ANTI-SUB YARDAGE TIMER
1  WALTHAM ANTI-SUB TIMER REMINDER
1 SC-1361 10 SECOND AIRCORPS TIMER
1 PIC ALTURAS SUB-CHASER PACIFIC WWII
1 NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AWARD
TO CREW MEMBER OF USS SUB-CHASER 1361
CREW MEMBER RECORDS USS SUB-CHASER 1361
1 SC-1361 SERVICE RADIUM POCKET WATCH
1 WWII NAVY TECH PATCH
1 NAVY WWII GOOD CONDUCT RIBBON
1 WWII US DEFENSE RIBBON
5 1980 NAVY BASE SUB-CHASER PATCHES
1 ANTI-SUB AIR PATCH
1 SILVER COLOR NAVY CAP BADGE
6 WWII PHOTOS
2 B/W SUB PHOTOS
1 B/W ARMED SUB CONNING TOWER
1 COLOR FIRING DESTROYER
1- COLOR MILITARY SHIP DOCKS
1 B/W RADIO ROOM
1 OPEN FROM FRONT MWB

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CELEBRATING
MICHAEL FRANCIS LA ROCCA
OF THE
SC-1351
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THE HISTORY OF THE
SUBMARINE & SUB-CHASER

UNITEDSTATESNAVY

In 1776, the first use of a submarine in warfare would occur by American’s against the British. The war of course was the Revolutionary War and the craft the American submersible Turtle.

The Turtle was large enough to accommodate one operator and  was entirely hand-powered. Lead ballast  kept the craft balanced as Ezra Lee attempted [ multiple times ]  to attach a time bomb to the hull of British Admiral Richard Howe’s flagship Eagle in New York Harbor.

Ultimately, all attempts would fail, but General George Washington would commission it’s designer, David Bushnel, an Army engineer. His subsequent invention, drifting mines,  would destroy the British frigate Cereberus and wreak havoc against other British ships.

After the war, David Bushnel became commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stationed at West Point. The submarine would wait  until the Iron Clad Ship made it’s appearance during the US Civil War.

.

The first USN submarine created to protect wooden ships against ironclads was the “Alligator”.

Built and in service in 1861-1862. It saw limited duty ,

It was not until 1896 that the USN decided to apply Navy Engineers along with private corporations in development of her history making sub program.

Four years later, on the 11th of  April 1900, the Holland (SS-1) became the first officially commissioned US Navy  submarine.  From then on the Submarine, and it nemesis, the Sub Chaser , would be a part and portion of the USN.

From the first mine laying sub to the first diesel powered sub to the first sub with the ability to have a compartment flooded and survive to a the world record depth  of  256 feet in 1915, US submarines, developed with the ingenuity of Navel Engineers, American companies and the Navel Personal who tested and proved the end products, brought  world renown to the program.

In fact, so renown were US subs that by WWI  the then legendary Imperial Russian Navy ordered 18 subs.

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THE BRITISH
ADMIRALTY
MILITARY NAVAL SERVICES

Board of admiralty app 1810. The same board room in use today

FROM THE INVENTION OF FIRST USABLE SHIPS CHRONOME4TER AND DECK WATCH, TO THE FIELD WATCH, TO WWI WHEN THE WRIST WATCH [TRENCH WATCH] BECAME A WAR TOOL, THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES PROVIDED THEIR OWN SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR WATCHES, TIMERS AND CHRONOGRAPHS; THOSE ACCEPTED WERE ASSIGNED  A “PATTERN” NUMBER.

THE ADMIRALTY WOULD REMAIN THE NATIONS PREMIER MILITARY AND POLITICAL FORCE  UNTIL THE AGE OF AIRCRAFT AT THE END OF WWII

At the beginning of the 20th century, the idea of submarine warfare was considered by senior personnel in the Admiralty to be “Underhand, unfair and damned un-English”^.

In fact it was stated by some that Submariners caught in action should be treated as pirates and executed.

How ever, with 30 years experience, the   renown of the USN was unstoppable. With this fact  in mind, the Royal Navy launched its first submarine, and, coincidental or not, named her  the” Holland 1″, in 1901

I remain amazed the name is similar top the first USN Commissioned Sub the” HOLLAND”..

In WWI the Submarine would prove its worth. Five of the Royal Navy’s 14 total Victoria Crosses of the war went to members of the Submarine corp.

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US
WALTHAM
FACTORY HALLMARK
1943
WWII
SUB-CHASER
SUB-MARINER
6 SECOND TIMER
9 JEWEL
SIZE 16
’43 TA

WITH
BROADARROW
ADMIRALTY
PATTERN 6

6 SECOND
THIS WALTHAM #6 6 SECOND HAS 9 JEWELS. THE ELGIN A-8 10 SEC AVIATION NAVIGATION TIMER 15 JEWELS. MOST OTHER TIMER/STOP WATCH HAS 0 TO 7

THE SUB-CHASER, DESTROYER AND CRUISER WITH ANTI-SUBMARINE GEAR UTILIZED  1 TO 3  6 SECOND TIMERS AND 1 TO 2   10 SECOND TIMERS PER SHIP.

BOMBERS, CARGO & FIGHTER PLANES  UTILIZED THE 10 SECOND A-8 JITTERBUG AVIATION NAVIGATION  TIMER. LARGE BOMBERS WOULD HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 2 MINIMUM  EACH PLANE

RECEIVE
FREE ONE YEAR GSW LIMITED WARRANTY

WITH

FREE APPRAISAL WITH INFO TO INSURE ONLINE
CONTAINING ALL PICS & HISTORY
NOTE I AM WAY BEHIND DUE TO SERVER CHANGERS
ALLOW SOME TIME FOR LINK. ROCK

*******************************************************************
45.00 US SUBSIDIZED INSURED WITH SIGNATURE DELIVERY!

100.00  FED EX INTERNATIONAL WITH SIGNATURE AND INSURANCE 

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HOW THE PATTERN  #6 BECAME ONE OF A FEW 6 SECOND TIMERS
[ONLY A FEW COMPANIES PRODUCED A 6 SEC YARDAGE TIMER]

IN 1941, WALTHAM BUILT THE 1ST # 6 SEC YARDAGE TIMER FOR THE BRITS. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED TO EXACT BRITISH SPECIFICATIONS, ALONG WITH A REQUIREMENT THAT THE DESIGN BE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING SEVERE WEATHER AND FORCES, AND ABLE TO TIME 6 SECONDS PER REVOLUTION OVER AND OVER. THE RESULTING WALTHAM 6 SECOND TIMER WOULD HAVE IT’S CASE MACHINED WITH THE  ADMIRALTY PATTERN NO. 6., BROADARROW AND OPERATION CODE AS WELL HAS THE ADMIRALTY AND PATTERN NUMBER ON THE DIAL.  THIS  6 SECOND ANTI-SUB TIMER WAS THEN WAS ISSUED TO BRITISH CREWS.

BY 1943 WALTHAM EXPANDED PRODUCTION AND THE US WOULD ISSUE THESE TIMERS –WHICH ARE THE BEST– TO THEIR ANTI-SUB CREWS.  IN FACT, WHILE THE “JITTERBUG” 10SEC NAVIGATION TIMER HAD US   AIRFORCE INFORMATION AND  A-8 DESIGNATION, THE SUBMARINE / SUB-CHASER 6 SECOND YARDAGE TIMER WAS NOT EVER USA DESIGNATED. NO NUMBER OR INFORMATION WAS PLACED ON THE CASES LIKE THE A-8 10 SEC NAVIGATION TIMER OR THE A-11 PILOTS HACKING NAVIGATION WRIST WATCH. AND IN FACT, IT HAD THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY PATTERN 6 ON THE DIALS.

SO, THE A-8 NAVIGATION TIMER UTILIZED BY BOTH BRITISH AND AMERICAN AIR CREWS WERE ISSUED WITH USA A-8 MILITARY MARKINGS, INCLUDING THOSE SUPPLIED TO THE  BRITISH AIR MINISTRY. WE DISCOVER SOME WITH BRITISH STAMPS, BUT MOST WERE DELIVERED TO THE FIELD WITH EXISTING USA MILITARY MARKINGS-  WITHOUT A BRITISH PATTERN NUMBER. BOTH US AND BRITISH AIR BOMBER CREWS BASED IN ENGLAND HAD THE   A-8 MILITARY ISSUE WITH ONLY THE US MILITARY ORDER INFO ON CASE BACK. OVER 25,000 US AIR CREW MEMBERS HAD THE BRITISH VERSION.. AT THE SAME TIME THE PATTERN #6 ANTI-SUB SUBMARINERS 6 SECOND TIMER WAS THE ONE WITH BRITISH MARKINGS.

PATTERN NUMBERS

IN 1938, WITH WAR BEATING ON THE DOOR, THE BRITISH, WHO NORMALLY WOULD HAVE REQUIRED TESTING AND ASSIGNED PATTERN NO’S TO EVERY WATCH AND TIMER, SIMPLY PROVIDED THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS AND THOUSANDS OF WRIST WATCHES, TIMERS AND POCKET WATCHES WERE THEN STAMPED OR ENGRAVED AFTER DELIVERY OR AT THE FACTORY BEFORE DELIVERY. 

FOR MANY WATCHES, AN ABBREVIATION OF THE WORDS ” GOVERNMENT SERVICE TEMPORARY PATTERN” –GTSP G.T.S.P. GS/TP — WAS USED INSTEAD OF PATTERN OR USAGE ID. YET THE AGE OLD WAYS OF SOME SERVICES, MAINLY THE OLDEST, THE ADMIRALTY, AND THE NEWEST, THE AIR MINISTRY, CHOSE TO CONTINUE THE TRADITION ON MANY OF THEIR PURCHASES. THUS, SOME KEY TIMERS AND CHRONOGRAPHS WERE ASSIGNED A  PATTERN NO. AT THE FACTORY ALONG WITH A FACTORY SIGNED DIAL  [ “ADMIRALTY PATTERN NO 6” ].

THUS THE PATTERN NUMBER  [PATT.6 ] AND SERVICE NUMBER [U9833] ALONG WITH THE BROADARROW AND DIAL INFO, WAS PLACED AT THE FACTORY. AFTER THE USA JOINED THE BATTLE, SOME OF THESE PATTERN NUMBER TIME PIECES, LIKE THE RARE #6 ANTI-SUB TIMER, WERE ISSUED TO US FORCES WITH BRITISH DETAILS.

The first British WWII Contract For a *Pattern No 6, *6 second Anti Sub Naval Timer, was made with Waltham in 1941. By 1943, the ” Admiralty Pattern NO 6 ” had proved it’s abilities.This unique 6 second yardage timer was utilized in ANTI-SUB Warfare on both *Submarines and Sub Chasers; for both military offensive & defensive systems.

*IN THE US AND GB.

The 6 sec ANTI-SUB is the rarest and most collectible of all WWII standard timers. In fact more than even the 10 sec Jitterbug AVIATION Timer by Elgin. Though  the pattern 6 second timer was issued to British and American Anti Submarine and Submarine Chaser Personal as well as US Coast Guard Anti-Sub Units throughout the theaters of operation during WWII,   they remain rare- especially those that saw ACTIVE SERVICE!

HOW THE 6 SEC TIMER WAS UTILIZED

Every revolution of this timer equals 6 seconds/5000 yards, the A-8 was 10 seconds, so this timer is faster yet as accurate as the vaunted A-8.  Why 6 seconds?   The rapid 6 second per revolution has to do with underwater sound. Under water sound travels at approx 1450 to 1500 m/s or (1586 to 1640 yards/s). Aping reflecting from a target at 1600 yards would return in approx 2 seconds. It is stated this 6 seconds per revolution utilized  by asdic/sonar operators on sub-chasers, cruisers and destroyers to find subs and on subs to find prey, and evade destroyers

FOR 110.00
THIS IS WHAT I ENCOUNTERED

WITH THAT IN MIND, THE CRYSTAL ON THIS PARTICULAR PATTERN 6 WAS COMPROMISED DURING WWII. SALT & MOISTURE ENTERED THE WATCH THROUGH THIS MINOR BREECH. OVER TIME,THE SALT INTERACTED WITH THE ENAMEL ON THE BRASS PLATE DIAL EVENTUALLY REACHING THE BRASS PLATE WHERE IT, OVER TIME, BEGAN TO ” CORRODE GREEN” THE AREAS IT CONTACTED.

THE HAND WAS REMOVED, DIAL REMOVED AND I  USED A MIXTURE OF CHEMICALS TO STOP THE CORROSION W/O HARMING THE ENAMEL. AREAS WHERE THE ENAMEL WAS PEELING. I TREATED WITH CARE SO THAT FURTHER WORK WOULD RESTORE THOSE AREAS.

THEN, METICULOUSLY, USING A SUPER-FINE MICRO STEEL POINTED PIC WITH  WOODEN GRAVER HANDLE, I ATTACKED THE MINUTE POCKETS OF CORROSION. THEN, WHEN THEY WERE SMOOTH I UTILIZED HAIR SPRING CLEANER, A POWERFUL CLEANER USED ON BALANCE HAIR SPRINGS TO COAT OVER THE BREACHED AREAS FOR 30 SECONDS, THEN I COATED THE DIAL WITH A MIXTURE OF PRODUCTS WITH A BASE OF SILICONE 7. AFTER AN HOUR, I  REMOVED THE  EXCESS WITH WATCH MAKERS PAPER.

REMEMBER, TO BREECH THE ENAMEL, IT HAD TO TAKE  TIME. THEN IT CREATED MINOR  “BUBBLED” AREAS WHERE THE SALT INTERACTED WITH THE BRASS TO REVEAL GREEN CORROSION.

HAND NEUTRALIZED LIGHTLY SANDED PAINTED REMOUNTED

LUCKILY, BEING THAT IT WAS MOISTURE VS WATER, ONLY THE DIAL AND HAND WERE EFFECTED. THE PROTECTION DESIGNED INTO THE CASE KEPT MOISTURE FROM REACHING THE MOVEMENT. THE FACT THAT THE  HAND BARREL ACTUALLY RUSTED AND EXPANDED- SEALING THE ONLY OPENING THAT MAY HAVE ALLOWED THE MOISTURE TO ENTER THE MOVEMENT, THAT OF THE HAND PINION..

ABOVE WAS THE FINAL WORKS BEING ASSEMBLED

AS YOU CAN SEE. SOME ,MINOR STAINING REMAINS
THE ONCE CORRODED POCKETS ARE NEUTRALIZED
100% SEALED.
NO LOSE OF NUMBERS OR WRITING

DIAL SIGNED
WALTHAM
U.S.A.
ADMIRALTY PATTERN NO 6

1 THOUGH 6
[SECONDS]
500 – 4500 YARDS
[ACTUALLY 5000 AT “0”]
BLACK HASH CHAPTER

This fully, perfectly operating : BROAD ARROW, PATTERN NO 6, ADMIRALTY SIGNED, SUB CHASER/SUBMARINER 6 SEC  TIMER was made by WALTHAM WATCH CO USA, one of the greatest Watch, Timer, Chronograph AND, Complicated watch-movement companies in the world during WWII for the British Admiralty from the design requirements of the British Navy. It is the most precise well made 6 seconds yardage timers. Only a few companies mage a 6 second timer. Extremely rare.    

HOW THE 5 SEC TIMER WAS UTILIZED
Every revolution of this timer equals 6 seconds/5000 yards, the A-8 was 10 seconds, so this timer is faster yet as accurate as the vaunted A-8. Why 6 seconds?   The rapid 6 second per revolution has to do with underwater sound. Under water sound travels at approx 1450 to 1500 m/s or (1586 to 1640 yards/s). Aping reflecting from a target at 1600 yards would return in approx 2 seconds. It is stated this 6 seconds per revolution WAS utilized  by asdic/sonar operators on sub-chasers, cruisers and destroyers to find subs and on subs to find prey, and evade destroyers.

DIAL IS ACTUALLY WHITE AGAIN. I CHOSE TO USE THE VINTAGE CRYSTAL
IF YOU DESIRE CLEAR LOOK I CAN REPLACE WITH MODERN CRYSTAL

NO DATE OR  PERIOD   IS KNOWN FOR THIS LONG NECK STRAP

CONDITION OF CASE IS FINE

A NOTE: EARLY TIMERS HAD ROUNDED CROWNS- MOST OF THOSE THOSE PRODUCED AFTER ARE SQUARE

FROM THE ORIGINAL CELLULOID CRYSTAL TO THE SIZE 16 ’43 TA MOVEMENT
THIS ADMIRALTY PATTERN 6  6 SECONDS TIMER REMAINS ORIGINAL.
WITH A DOUBLE SEALED SCREW DOWN CASE TIGHTLY SEALING INNER CASE BACK
SEALED BRASS BASE ENAMEL DIAL SCREW DOWN BEZEL
CELLULOID CRYSTAL ’43 T A 9J MOVEMENT SINGLE HAND

IT HAS A  SEALED DIAL

THE DIAL ON THIS RARE 6 SECOND PATTERN 6 IS CONSTRUCTED OF A STURDY BRASS PLATE WITH ENAMEL ON TOP. AN  ADMIRALTY REQUIRED  SIGNATURE UNDER THE SINGLE HAND STATING

“ADMIRALTY  PATTERN  NO  6”

THE DIAL IS MARKED IN SECONDS 1 THROUGH  6 WITH YARDAGE 500 – 5000. IT WAS MADE FOR SUB-CHASERS & SUBMARINES, AS WELL AS DESTROYERS AND/OR CRUISERS THAT ALSO HAD ANTI SUB DUTIES. THUS, WITH SCREW DOWN DOUBLE CASE AND A SEAL BEHIND THE DIAL, AND A CELLULOID CRYSTAL, IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST SEALED TIMERS EVER MADE.

UNSCREWING THE CASE BACK REVEALS AN INNER  TIGHTLY SEALED
SECOND BARRIER. A STRAIGHT EDGED RAZOR IS REQUIRED TO REMOVE IT

THIS MWB IS BUILT AROUND THIS HISTORY.

MICHAEL FRANCIS LA ROCCA

SERVED FOR 3 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY   DURING WORLD WAR II,

HE WAS STATIONED ON THE USS SUB-CHASER 1361 FOR MOST OF HIS CAREER.

BORN SEPTEMBER 28TH 1921, HE PASSED DECEMBER 20TH 1996.

WE HAVE HIS ORIGINAL WORLD WAR II UNITED STATES
NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL WITH  SLOT BROOCH.
ENGRAVED BY THE USN WITH HIS NAME: MICHAEL FRANCIS LA ROCCA AND DATED: 1945

IN ADDITION, WE ARE INCLUDING PHOTO COPIES OF THE SHIPS MUSTER ROLLS OF THE CREW LISTING THE CREW MEMBERS.