Slide1: Supported by


Slide2: TIME IN OFFICE TIMEPIECE DETAILS


Slide3: Richard C von Hess Foundation Pennsylvania Humanities Council Gallet Watch Group John Frederick Steinman Foundation Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Donegal Insurance Group SWATCH Group Bully’s Restaurant, Columbia, PA NAWCC Chapter #63, Wichita, KS NAWCC Chapter #34, Williamsburg, VA NAWCC Chapter #71, Sacramento, CA Riverside Masonic Lodge No. 503, Wrightsville, PA Time in Office: Presidential Timepieces sponsored by:


Slide4: George Washington c. 1775 Swiss Pocket Watch Loan courtesy of New-York Historical Society, New York, NY


Slide5: George Washington Engraving on back of watch: “Trenton N.J. Dec 10th 1777 Presented to my Friend Col. Thos. Johnson of Md. as a Memento of my great Esteem. Geo. Washington.”


Slide6: George Washington The movement on this watch has no visible maker’s marks.


Slide7: George Washington Marks on inside of watch case: “1775 G. Washington” Two marks including Neuchatel Chevron mark “LDMD 6722”


Slide8: George Washington c. 1789 Jean-Antoine Lepine Pocket Watch Loan courtesy of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania Collection, the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia


Slide9: George Washington Watch attributed to Jean-Antoine Lepine (1720 – 1814) Engraving on cuvette: [three fleur-de-lis] “N.o 5378 Remontez à droite Tournez les Equilles Lepine Hger du Roy A PARIS S” For more information on this watch see NAWCC Bulletin, No. 155, December 1971, pp. 12-13.


Slide10: George Washington Watch movement detail: Lepine Calibre, No. 5378 Virgule escapement “Wolf’s Teeth” gearing


Slide11: John Adams 18th century French Pocket Watch Loan courtesy of Adams National Historic Site, Quincy, MA


Slide12: John Adams Dust Cover Detail


Slide13: John Adams Movement Detail Indications are that this watch was modified sometime during the 19th century by a subsequent owner.


Slide14: Thomas Jefferson c. 1780’s Daniel Vaucher Pocket Watch Loan courtesy of James Monroe Museum, Fredericksburg, VA


Slide15: Thomas Jefferson Movement marked “Vaucher a Paris” Watch attributed to Daniel Vaucher, (also Vauché, Vauchez); Became a Master in 1767; Recorded in Paris, in the rue St-Pierre aux Boeufs, 1769-90.


Slide16: James Monroe Gabriel Pocket Watch French/Swiss Mantel Clock Loan courtesy of James Monroe Museum, Fredericksburg, VA


Slide17: James Monroe Dial marked: “GABRIEL LONDON” Movement marked “Gabriel LONDON” “No. 104”


Slide18: James Monroe The movement in this clock was replaced / repaired with more modern elements. Movement marked: “MADE IN FRANCE” and “MADE IN SWITZERLAND”


Slide19: James Monroe Clock Dial Detail


Slide20: John Quincy Adams Watch Fob & Seal Loan courtesy of Adams National Historic Site, Quincy, MA


Slide21: James Polk c. 1840-1850 French Mantel Clock Loan courtesy of James K. Polk Ancestral Home, Columbia, TN


Slide22: James Polk Movement marked: “FC” “8 1” “134”


Slide23: James Polk Clock Dial Detail Dial marked: “A.L.”


Slide24: James Buchanan David Weatherly Tall Case Clock Loan courtesy James Buchanan Foundation Lancaster, PA “Wheatland” James Buchanan’s Lancaster Home


Slide25: James Buchanan Clock attributed to David Weatherly of Philadelphia, PA. This clock was likely produced sometime between 1815 and 1820.


Slide26: James Buchanan Dial customized with sheaves of wheat at the corners. James Buchanan’s home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was named Wheatland


Slide27: James Buchanan David Weatherly Tall Case Clock Hood, Case and Feet


Slide28: Abraham Lincoln This E. Howard & Company No. 2 banjo clock with an 8-day time only brass movement hung on the wall of the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton's office during the Civil War. This office, next door to the White House, was visited frequently by President Lincoln during the tumultuous years of the Civil War. The clock can be clearly seen in a sketch by Theodore R. Davis of Secretary of War Stanton's office during the Civil War.


Slide29: Rutherford B. Hayes E. Howard and Company Pocket Watch Loan courtesy of Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont, OH


Slide30: Rutherford B. Hayes E. Howard & Company, Boston.  Model 1862, N size, Ser. # 10537.  ¾ plate, gilt, 15 jewels spun-in, chronometer balance below center wheel, Mershon’s patent “T” style regulator, stepped balance cock with case screw in foot engraved “Mershon’s Patent April 25, 1859,” trefoil escutcheon above center wheel, key wind and set from back, Reed’s patent mainspring barrel.


Slide31: 18K gold hunting case by Warren & Spadone, Ser. #3430. Rutherford B. Hayes Engraved on dust cover “Maria Webb to R. B. Hayes Sept. 14th, 1866.”


Slide32: James Garfield 19th Century French Mantel Clock Loan courtesy of Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH


Slide33: James Garfield Movement marked: “10701” “LP” “MEDAILLE DE BRONZE S. Marti et Cie” “48”


Slide34: James Garfield Clock Dial Detail


Slide35: Chester A. Arthur Laporte Hubbell Mantel Clock Loan courtesy of New-York Historical Society, New York, NY


Slide36: Chester A. Arthur Movement attributed to Connecticut maker Laporte Hubbell 1824 – 1889 Two features on this movement point to Hubbell as the maker. The unique case design would seem to indicate that this clock was custom made for President Arthur.


Slide37: Chester A. Arthur Clock Dial Detail


Slide38: Grover Cleveland French Mantel Clock & Candelabrums Loan courtesy of the Hoffman Clock Museum, Newark, NY


Slide39: Grover Cleveland Movement marked: “6798” “Bordier H GLP Jappy Freres Honorable Mention”


Slide40: Grover Cleveland Dial marked: “G J Levy Sievigne 29 Rue Paris” Clock Dial Detail


Slide41: William McKinley While not owned by President McKinley himself, watch models named after American Presidents were common among a number of watchmakers in the United States. Hampden Watch Company, Canton, Ohio.  16 size, Model 4, Wm. McKinley grade, 17 jewels, adjusted, lever set, Ser. # 2711674.  New model in 1902.  This watch c. 1909 (Hernick) or 1911 (Shugart).  Dueber 20 year gold filled hunting case, Ser. #796767. Arabic double sunk dial, black hours, red minutes.


Slide42: Theodore Roosevelt Seth Thomas Mantel Clock Loan courtesy Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, Buffalo, NY


Slide43: Theodore Roosevelt Detail: “ST” “USA” “48?”


Slide44: Warren G. Harding Hiram Watch Inc. Pocket Watch Loan courtesy Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH


Slide45: Warren G. Harding Case marked: HIRAM WATCH INC, 14K, No. 145    


Slide46: Warren G. Harding Movement marked:  Swiss HALLMARK 15 jewel movement Ser. #3364074. 


Slide47: Franklin D. Roosevelt A. Frankfeld Pocket Watch Bernard Kohn & Son Mantel Clock Loan courtesy Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY


Slide48: Franklin D. Roosevelt Dial marked: “A Frankfeld Geneve” Button for setting watch Push-lever for repeat mechanism


Slide49: Franklin D. Roosevelt Watch Movement Detail Minute Repeater Strikes “Wolf’s Teeth”


Slide50: Franklin D. Roosevelt Case lid marked: “Presented to President Roosevelt by Dr. Boldan Former Minister of Education at Dinner of Lions Club of Havana on January 30, 1942”


Slide51: Franklin D. Roosevelt Dust Cover Detail


Slide52: Franklin D. Roosevelt Clock dials labeled: “Standard Time” and “Pacific Time” Hands made to resemble the Empire State Building.


Slide53: Franklin D. Roosevelt Engraved plate


Slide54: Franklin D. Roosevelt Clock back: “MOVEMENT 29 JEWELS SHOCK PROTECTED CONSTRUCTED BY BERNARD KOHN NEW YORK, NY STERLING”


Slide55: Harry S. Truman American Academy Pocket Watch Loans courtesy Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, Independence, MO Kalex World Desk Clock Gallet Flying Officer Chronograph


Slide56: Harry S. Truman President Truman's Gallet “Flying Officer” chronograph, Serial # 64112 was a gift to him from two members of his Senatorial Staff in 1939.


Slide57: Harry S. Truman The Flying Officer Chronograph Wristwatch "The Watch that Helped Allied Forces Win World War II" Production Dates: 1939 to the Present With the ability to calculate changes in time zones as a pilot crossed over lines of longitude, the Flying Officer is one of the most renown and respected military use timepieces ever created. The original Flying Officer model evolved directly from the famous 1939 Gallet MultiChron, the world’s first fully waterproof wrist-worn chronograph. A rotating 12 hour bezel and dial indications for the world's major cities was added to the MultiChron, making it possible to easily calculate changes in the time as an aircraft flew across lines of longitude. Developed upon specific request by United States Army Air Force, this ground breaking new timepiece was issued exclusively to pilots of the allied forces who flew the missions to our victory during WWII. After the war, the Flying Officer became the watch of choice for both commercial and private aviators across the globe.


Slide58: Harry S. Truman Watch dial marked: “American Academy Denver”


Slide59: Harry S. Truman Engraving on back of case: “THIS HAND MADE WATCH PRESENTED TO HON. HARRY S TRUMAN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BY THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS HOROLOGICAL ENGINEERING AMERICAN ACADEMY, INC. DENVER, COLORADO WASHINGTON, D.C. FEBRUARY 4, 1949” Case has Keystone 14K mark


Slide60: Harry S. Truman Movement marked: “American Academy Denver” and “No1”


Slide61: Harry S. Truman This Kalex World Clock (Serial #102056) was purchased from Grape & Cop Jewelers, Washington, DC. President Truman surrounded himself with clocks. Face Inside Back


Slide62: Dwight D. Eisenhower Swiss Desk Clock and American Wristwatch Loan courtesy of Eisenhower National Historic Site, Gettysburg, PA


Slide63: Dwight D. Eisenhower This clock sat on the nightstand in President Eisenhower’s private bedroom at his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.


Slide64: Dwight D. Eisenhower Rotating brass cube with a different instrument on each of the four sides: clock, thermometer, barometer, and hygrometer.


Slide65: Dwight D. Eisenhower Wristwatch worn by Mamie Eisenhower; gold and inscribed "The White House." This watch is one of the many items on the dressing table in Mamie's dressing room. "Caravelle" in black letters on face.


Slide66: Lyndon B. Johnson Loan courtesy Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, Austin, TX Tiffany & Co. Wristwatch Vulcain Cricket Wristwatch


Slide67: Lyndon B. Johnson Watch retailed by Tiffany & Company with a Tiffany band, movement by Patek Philippe The watch dial contains motto “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”


Slide68: Lyndon B. Johnson Patek Philippe Ref. 2526, No. 760134, 30 jewel, automatic, 18k gold


Slide69: Lyndon B. Johnson Vulcain Cricket Alarm Wristwatch This watch is known for its cricket-like alarm. The watch dial inscribed with President Johnson’s initials.


Slide70: This was one of a small lot of watches commissioned by President Lyndon Johnson from the Hamilton Watch Co. in 1964 as gifts for aides, friends, and important visitors. It carries LBJ's initials in his very distinctive handwriting, along with the 'golden rule.‘ Loan courtesy of Rene Rondeau Presidential Giveaways Presidents have routinely expressed their respect and friendship for guests and friends with gifts. President Johnson ordered a variety of objects to present to visitors and special guests. He kept a selection of gifts in a special “giveaway” drawer in his desk in the Oval Office. These giveaways ranged from pens and small pocket knives, to Accutron clocks, gold Rolex watches, and waterproof watches.


Slide71: Richard M. Nixon Seiko Desk Clock Loan courtesy Mrs. Julie Nixon Eisenhower


Slide72: Richard M. Nixon This battery powered, quartz movement desk clock was presented to President Nixon by his good friend, baseball great Don Baylor. The picture below shows the event at which Mr. Baylor presented the clock. The clock remained one of President Nixon’s most treasured possessions. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation


Slide73: Richard M. Nixon Ms. Julie Nixon, President Nixon’s daughter, admired President Dwight Eisenhower’s custom made Hamilton wristwatch with his grandchildren’s images printed on the dial. Following her engagement to his grandson, President Eisenhower presented Ms. Nixon with a similar customized Hamilton wristwatch depicting members of her family and her fiancé, David Eisenhower.


Slide74: Gerald R. Ford Orazal Desk Clock Loan courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, Grand Rapids, MI


Slide75: Gerald R. Ford This Swiss made, battery powered desk clock was given to President Ford while he was a Congressman. The inset photo shows the clock on President Ford’s Oval Office desk. Photo courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum


Slide76: Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library Gerald R. Ford When Gerald Ford became President he opted to wear the latest in watch technology with the Hamilton Pulsar watch. The Pulsar selling for $2100, was the first “solid-state” watch, where the LED screen displayed the time only when a button was pressed. Ford wore his Pulsar during the Congressional hearings on Nixon’s pardon. When an article about Ford’s Pulsar appeared in The Washington Post with a picture of him wearing it at the hearings, Hamilton dealers quickly displayed the article with the photo in their stores. Ford quit wearing the watch, reportedly disliking the attention.


Slide77: Time in Office: Presidential Timepieces Adams National Historical Park Atwater Kent Museum Eisenhower National Historic Site Mrs. Julie Nixon Eisenhower Ron and Virginia Ettelman Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum Harry S. Truman National Historic Site Hoffman Clock Museum James Buchanan Foundation James K. Polk Ancestral Home James Monroe Museum Jeannine Coup Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum McKinley Memorial Library and Museum Neil Sperry New-York Historical Society Ohio Historical Society Rene Rondeau Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Western Reserve Historical Society Willard House and Clock Museum Objects: Special Thanks: American Political Items Collectors Jeannine Coup Al Fisher Mark and Michelle Furr Bren T. Price Patrick Clarke, James Buchanan Foundation Dr. John McLarnon, Millersville University Exhibit Advisors: National Watch and Clock Museum Exhibit Team: Charles Auman Kim Craven Carter Harris Steven Humphrey Katie Knaub Amy Klinedinst Noel Poirier