Life — August 12, 1920 — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

OF WALTHAM many a tradition has been scrapped by necessity, and this 1s one of them. And any sailor-man will tell you that tradition in the Navy is as hard to overcome as a United States battleship stripped for action. But wait— When war was declared there were not enough foreign chronometers to go around. Here was the American craftsman’s chance, for which he had been waiting a long, long time. The Navy Department, in the ver- nacular, was up against it. “Chronometers! Oh, for some chronometer!” was the cry. So the Waltham Watch Company was called upon. “Can you supply the Navy with chronometers?” ‘Certainly! How many?” The order was given and with Yankee dis- patch promptly filled. Indeed, Waltham eventuall supplied more chronometers during the war than al other makes combined. Then it was that the Waltham Chronometer went to sea and shattered forever the cherished tradition of for- eign chronometer supremacy by standing up under con- ditions of war that often put the alien chronometer out of business. And they stood up so consistently that prejudiced old salts in verbal and written praise saluted the performance of this American Keeper of Time upon the Sea. For instance—imagine an instrument keeping the closest time in a sub chaser, head on in a stormy sea. Every unit of the little ship shaking like a leaf, straining, twisting, being buffeted, beaten. Now, hurled to the crest of a giant wave; anon, plunging like a stricken bird into a yawning pit of swirling water; sometimes lifted bodily, then crashed " down like a toy thrown from the hand of a giant—and every moment that delicately adjusted but sturdy Waltham Chronometer ticking the fleeting seconds, un- concerned except with the business of keeping time— correct time, for the gallant lads who put their trust in this Watch Over Time while they kept their watch above or below deck. This was the acid test. But when we stop to think of it, Waltham had been preparing for over seventy years for our country’s emer- gency—because of Waltham invention in watch making, because of advancement unto advancement in the art of developing time- keeping mechanisms, and those miracle-working machines that cannot be found or duplicated elsewhere in all the world, giving America precedence in this important industry. This, we believe, was true preparedness; this was Waltham’s pride and honor, in vindicating the sinew and ability of American Industry in war's fiery challenge, as no less the Waltham Watch has sustained Amenican supremacy at the great Expositions in times of peace. We should be remiss if we forgot the mighty dead — those sons of genius who labored long years in Waltham laboratories for the glory of America,—Charles Van de Woerd, Duane H. Church, Charles Whitney, John Logan and others. “They rest from their labors, but their works do follow them.” And no less those master American mechanics, Marsh and Ohlson (the inventor of the Waltham Time Fuse), who are still adding lustre to the fame of the American Waltham Watch all over the world. As Americans we should have long memories. _ It is inspiring to review the past. We have much to elate us, to help us, “carry on,” to produce more and still more, to supply the world with the work of our brains and hands. For in labor, well and cheer- fully done, is our health, wealth and happiness. Pendant end Bow Patented WALTHAM COLONIAL A Extremely thin at no sacrifice of accuracy Maximus movement 21 jewels Riverside movement 19 jewels $200 to $325 or more depending upon the case 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. ALITHAM THE WORLD'S WATCH OVER TIME comicbooks.com