1933 German BMW watch? | FerrariChat

1933 German BMW watch?

Discussion in 'Fine Watches, Jewelry, & Clothes' started by renman95, Jul 20, 2017.

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  1. renman95

    renman95 Karting

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    #1 renman95, Jul 20, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Last year at this time I was shown this watch on a trip to Stuttgart while visiting relatives. I did some research. It belonged to my great uncle (initials F. H.), a pilot for Germany in WW1. He participated in Deutschlandflug 1933. He flew a Klemm* monoplane of which I have his bronze medal depicting the aircraft and a 6" round porcelain commemorative.

    I have found information on the bronze medal but I cannot find any info on the watch. I took pictures of the inside, markings are visible. I searched them as well. I could not find anything that looked similar or anything relating to BMW. It may be a one off. At one point I thought it might have been the engine manufacturer but the Klemm 33 was powered by Daimler designed by F. Porsche.

    On this years' trip to Germany I was given the watch for keeps. As an aviator myself it means a lot to have this bit of family history...

    *Hanns Klemm was a protestant and did not favor the Nazis. Because of his stance his aviation company fell out of favor and slowly died.
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  2. flat_plane_eddie

    flat_plane_eddie F1 Rookie
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    #2 flat_plane_eddie, Jul 20, 2017
    Pretty cool piece of history you have!
     
  3. renman95

    renman95 Karting

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    #3 renman95, Jul 20, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I might as well add the other items...

    Here are the medal, porcelain thingy, and his compass. I was told that the compass was one he used during WW1. Mmmm, I dunno. He was shot down over North Africa, POW for the remainder of the war at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. I think it was one he used later on in 1933. Either way it's great to have it all together.
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  4. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
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    #4 koisokok, Jul 20, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2017
    Very sweet! Any writing or markings on the internal's of the watch? The Crescent moon and crown, is a German silver mark, likely used by a German case decorator, watch might be Swiss.
     
  5. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

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    #5 WPOZZZ, Jul 20, 2017
    POW in Texas? That's pretty far transport for a POW.
     
  6. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
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    #6 GatorFL, Jul 21, 2017
    There were POW camps all over the US.
     
  7. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

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    #7 WPOZZZ, Jul 21, 2017
    That's interesting stuff to know. I had no idea we had them in the US. I did know of the internment camps.
     
  8. Gran Drewismo

    Gran Drewismo F1 Rookie

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    #8 Gran Drewismo, Jul 21, 2017
  9. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
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    #9 GatorFL, Jul 21, 2017
    I know there were more camps than on that list. I live in Palm Beach County, FL and there were camps in Clewiston and Belle Glade for German prisoners. Local legend talks about an uprising at one of these camps and the army issued a "no food if you don't work policy" which seemed to keep the prisoners in line.
     
  10. BKitson

    BKitson Rookie

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    #10 BKitson, Aug 20, 2017
    I must admit that is an awesome piece! Never seen anything like it
     
  11. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

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    #11 RWP137, Aug 23, 2017
    BMW made aircraft engines. Their logo is a spinning propeller against a blue sky. That is a very cool piece....
     

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