Tora, Tora, Tora!

[T.R.]

Yo vintage watch cats,

I was watching "Tora, Tora, Tora!" on TV last Saturday, for the 547th time, and I noticed something cool.

Just prior to leading the raid on Pearl Harbor one of the mechanics gives Fuchida a battle scarf to wear into battle. I notice that Fuchida is wearing a very large pilot's watch so I become intrigued. Was this a mistake in the movie or did pilots in 1941 wear large pilot's watches?

Here is a the shot I took off my TV.



I found this image of the scene online.... note the Nato type strap on his left wrist.



As it turns out, Seiko made a pilot's watch in 1941 under the name "Seikosha". This one sold at auction at Christie's in November 2011. 48.5mm in size. Sold at auction for $23,174.



Hand winder:




A tiny amount of info found here: http://www.watchonista.com/2914/watchon ... -christies

Rather interesting vintage watch history, I thought.

Thanks to Peter T. for his help in the research.

TR

[dukerules]

Good stuff.

[hoppyjr]

Interesting info. I like the watch.

[River Rat]

There Pilots did get issued large navigation watches just like the German air force did in WW2 and Seiko original name was Seikosha here is a WW2 Japanese WW2 ships clock I have in my collection




You can see the old Seiko name on it

[River Rat]

And a little info from the MWR forum there was also a replica made of it a few years ago and sold in Japan
http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthre ... t=seikosha

[rockmastermike]

That's just good investigative work, T.R. and very cool info.

[aikiman44]

I agree, great WIS detective work. Only a select few individuals appreciate it.

[kfalk]

Good digging Tom, and very cool Mike.

[BBK357]

I've always liked the look of the WWII Pilot watches. Doxa, Breitling, Omega... A lot of nice ones out there especially on eBay.
But they are MASSIVE!
Like 48-50mm

[River Rat]

I've always liked the look of the WWII Pilot watches. Doxa, Breitling, Omega... A lot of nice ones out there especially on eBay.
But they are MASSIVE!
Like 48-50mm

Just to let you know those are Russian fake watches using pocket watch movements to rip off people who don't know what they are looking at

[toxicavenger]

Great info TR

[unixshrk]

Always learning something

[Zonda]

Great watch, this is the recreation made by Gerlach for the Spanish watch forum. This is mine besides a Seiko 6105 for comparison (still has the plastic on the glass)



Lume Shot

[Joe C]

Very cool

[BBK357]

I've always liked the look of the WWII Pilot watches. Doxa, Breitling, Omega... A lot of nice ones out there especially on eBay.
But they are MASSIVE!
Like 48-50mm

Just to let you know those are Russian fake watches using pocket watch movements to rip off people who don't know what they are looking at

I figured some of the cheap ones were "redialed" but didn't know they were all fake.
Good to know mike .

[T.R.]

Lot of cool info added. Thanks to all.

[cdnwatchguy]

Great work TR and all who added.

[mellonb1]

Love this stuff. Cool thread, Tom.

[BSears]

Awesome post, Tom. Nice catch and good info here.

[93 Turbo]

Very interesting TR San.

Attached is crappy but quick iphone pic of my 2003 ANA (All Nippon Airlines) Seiko. These were designed by the pilots at ANA, and sold only through the airline for a limited period between 2003 & 2004. Supposedly making this particular model somewhat rare/rarer.

Given it's only 40mm in diameter, there are some very similar design cues I noticed as soon as I saw your pic Tom, compared with the watch designed 60 years later. Jules

[T.R.]

^ Wow, Jules... that is COOL.

[BBK357]

Very interesting TR San.

Attached is crappy but quick iphone pic of my 2003 ANA (All Nippon Airlines) Seiko. These were designed by the pilots at ANA, and sold only through the airline for a limited period between 2003 & 2004. Supposedly making this particular model somewhat rare/rarer.

Given it's only 40mm in diameter, there are some very similar design cues I noticed as soon as I saw your pic Tom, compared with the watch designed 60 years later. Jules

LOVE that ANA!
They used to be like $400 lately they've been up to $800 when the rare one is posted.

What movement is in that?

[slashd0t]

Of course they did.. Where do you think the B-Uhr/Big Pilots came from? The B-Uhr's made by IWC/Lange/STOWA/LACO etc were all around 55mm that the German's wore in the 40's...

[93 Turbo]

What movement is in that?

Bloody good question, I'll do some digging and get back to you. I've only worn this once since I bought it about 18 months ago. Just sits in the safe for now. Jules

[93 Turbo]

What movement is in that?

Bloody good question, I'll do some digging and get back to you. I've only worn this once since I bought it about 18 months ago. Just sits in the safe for now. Jules

Found it:

Movement : Automatic wind Calibre 7S26 with quickset date. J