Life, 1920-02-12 · page 5 of 44
Life — February 12, 1920 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Waltham Watch Company advertisement**, not political satire. The page features technical illustrations of watch mechanisms—specifically "steady pins" that improve timekeeping accuracy. The text explains how Waltham's engineering innovations (tiny mechanical components called "steady pins") maintain watch precision by keeping the balance wheel properly aligned. There's a diagram of the Waltham Colonial A pocket watch model shown on the left. The only figurative element is a classical or allegorical female figure in the decorative border, which appears to be generic ornamental design rather than political commentary. The advertisement emphasizes American industrial superiority ("placed America first in watchmaking"), which reflects early 20th-century national pride in manufacturing technology, but this is marketing messaging rather than editorial satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MOPS SEEM A KDE RAT yy ase THE MOST: STIENTIFICALL BUILT WORLD @ Waltham Colonial A } tremely thin at no sacrifice of accuracy imus movement 21 jewels werside movement 19 jewels $200 to $325 of more Jepending upon the care Waltham Scientific “Steady Pins” that Mean So Much to You in Time-keeping Accuracy the marvels of Waltham machinery, to the mechanical superiorities of fun- damental units in the Waltham Watch, we are going to add another chapter. We ate going to prove by illustrated example that Waltham is the watch that placed America first in watchmaking, that its mechanism does contain scien- tific superiorities which are the reasons for Waltham leadership — Tiny units involving years of study, of invention that are related to Waltham precision, time-keeping and durability. A reliable watch demands a perfectly true and up- right “train” and “balance.” By ‘true’ and ‘up- right’ we mean, that the lower bearing, or jewel, must be absolutely in line with the corresponding upper bearing or jewel — Because, if the upper or lower plates are not posi- tively located, one to the other, the balance or train is forced out of correct position, creating excess friction, disturbing original adjustment, and causing erratic performance in time-keeping. To locate, positively and permanently, each plate upon plate in perfect alignment, Waltham horo- logical genius created a scientific * steady pin” (en- larged illustration above), which is so tapered to enter and leave its aperture with extreme ease, yet positively locates the plates and jeweled bearings in their relation one to the other. All other manufacturers use a straight “ steady pin.” If they make it small enough to enter and leave freely its corresponding aperture, the lower illustra- tion plainly shows what then happens to an impor- tant function of your watch, Its wheels become out of upright, and your watch an uncertain time- piece. But should the straight" steady pin” be made to fit tight enough in its jewel-bearing location (as shown in the lower illustration’, the watchmaker when tepairing your watch would be liable to break the balance pivots, which means a further readjustment and extra expense to you. The Waltham scientific tapered * steady pin" is one more reason that your selection of a watch should be a Waltham. This story is continued in a beautiful booklet in which you will find a liberal watch education. Sent free upon request. Waltham Watch Company, Waltham, Mass. WALTHAM THE WORLD'S WATCH OVER TIME comicbooks.com