Description

Hamilton WWII Military Watch Shock Absorber Case for 4992B /992B Ord. pocket watch!  This authentic, 65+ years old case is New Old Stock, still in the sealed box.   The shock absorber case and leather chain are from the Hamilton Watch Company and were made to protect their 4992B and 992B Ordinance watches.

The case is absolutely new old stock.  It was designed to protect high grade pocket watches from damage during military operations.  Shocks reduce accuracy to a precision timepiece by disturbing the balance motion.  These cases and leather chain/lanyard were issued to US Army Air Corps Navigators, Army Engineers and train personnel responsible for moving supplies and material within the United States, Europe and Pacific during WWII.  These are designed specifically for the Hamilton 992B RRG, Ordinance, and 4992B Navigational Master watch, but the case will fit all 16 size pocket watches.  The rubber case absorbs shock if the watch were to come in contact with a hard object and the specially designed leather chain also absorbs energy if the watch were dropped.

The case and lanyard pictured are from my own collection and the 4992B watch pictured is for illustrative purposes only and is not included.  I have an identical shock absorber case and leather lanyard chain with buckle which will be delivered sealed in the original Hamilton factory box. Please refer to Military Timepieces by M. Whitney and  British Military Timepieces by K. Knirim for additional information and examples (page 131).

The case and lanyard will be delivered in box as it was over 60 years ago!  The box is labeled (by typewriter!) on one side:

On back of the box is a partial “fire control” and inspection label which was added in the 1940s and subsequently removed while in government storage.  Inside the box is soft tissue type padding.  After removing the padding, there is a brown paper wrap which is taped.  Removing the brown paper, one sees the  rubber case with the leather lanyard chain and buckle within.  The rubber is still soft and pliable and the leather strong.  Both are in new condition and haven’t been touched in over 60 years!

This will make a great addition to a military watch collection.  The case and leather chain allow one to actually carry their military pocket watch and the case still fulfills its original purpose of protecting the watch from shock and damage.

This is a rare item – not many of these have survived from WWII in this new condition!