The Hunley watch......

[eddiea]

This from National Geographic ......

In February 1864 the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley became the first underwater vessel to sink an enemy ship in battle. But the pioneering submersible followed its victim to the bottom of Charleston harbor—creating a mystery that remains unresolved.
The excavation of a well-preserved pocket watch from the submarine may yield new clues to the puzzle of how and why the Hunley went to the bottom.
In addition to chronological clues, scientists believe the gold pocket watch may tell them more about its owner—the charismatic Lt. Dixon. Inside, scientists found three stamps and a serial number that will lead to detailed information about the manufacturer. The apparent time suggests the watch outlived the crewmen and continued to tick for many hours past their deaths,
"It's a miracle that the hands are even still here," said Senior Conservator Paul Mardikian. "They are quite damaged, but they are still here and fused to the face. There was a pocket of air trapped inside the watch. I believe that's the only reason the hands still exist after all these years. The other parts of the watch, where there was no air, were not as well preserved."
...Wonder about the brand

[GradyPhilpott]

That's very interesting.

The inscriptions on the case should reveal the manufacturer according to the article.

If you could contact Senior Conservator Paul Mardikian, he might be willing to at least let you know where the results of the investigation might be published.

http://www.google.com/search?source=...=Google+Search

[GradyPhilpott]

Here's a related story, or comment, really, with a picture of the cleaned up watch.

This undated photo, provided by The Friends of the Hunley, show the gold watch that belonged to the commander of the H.L. Hunley, Lt. George Dixon. Scientists announced Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, in Charleston, S.C., that the gold watch did not slowly wind down but stopped quickly, leaving unanswered questions about why the Confederate submarine sank sank off Charleston in 1864.

http://www.physorg.com/news116916081.html

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/...363/1009/rss04

[timefinder]

Interesting posts!

[Dell Deaton]

My many thanks as well. It never ceases to amaze me how often watches and clocks show up at key moments in time (no pun intended), and the role they can end up playing in history.

There was a great docudrama on the Hunley that came out about ten years ago, and then, more recently, a camera crew followed an expedition financed by Clive Cussler (a Doxa watch advocate) w/in the last few years.

[Tom Barry]

That's a fascinating glimpse into one of the most chaotic periods in American history.

[bullandvodka]

I saw that on the Discovery or History Channel. They were able to tell what time the Hunley sank from the time on the watch + the reserve power in its mainspring. Very interesting detective work.

[boscoe]

Thanks. Great post!

[eddiea]

That's very interesting.

The inscriptions on the case should reveal the manufacturer according to the article.

If you could contact Senior Conservator Paul Mardikian, he might be willing to at least let you know where the results of the investigation might be published.

http://www.google.com/search?source=...=Google+Search

Excellent idea