DESCRIPTION:
Clock - Chelsea, World War 1 era 8-day aluminum aircraft clock for U.S. Army Aviation Section, Signal Corps (a predecessor to the modern day U.S. Air Force), 107mm round, 47mm thick, original aluminum case with three mounting holes, screw down bezel and winding/setting crown at 6, back stamped "C.C.Co 117, February 1918," metal dial originally black but has aged to an attractive "tropical" brown color, dial with a 3-6-9 layout and with subsidiary seconds at 12, s#116080 with matching serial number to case. The Aviation Section of the Signal Corps was founded in 1914 and was the second iteration of the United States version of an Air Force. They first saw action against Pancho Villa during the Mexican Expedition when Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico. The entire squadron consisted of 8 Curtis JN-4 "Jenny's" at the time and only 11 pilots. With the entire Aviation Section only consisting of 44 active duty officers, this was soon to change with the breakout of World War 1 with the inevitable expansion that ended 33 years later in the formation of the United States Air Force. Truly a must-have piece for the early military collector or the Chelsea collector who just doesn't have "everything."
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, scattered fine to micro-fine scratches; excellent-plus dial with discoloration and light surface spotting; fine hands with abrasions and just small areas of overpainting remaining; case shows very light wear, numerous dings and scrapes on bezel from years of possible use; crown shows light wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$600
-
$1200
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