The Weems Patent 2008734 refers to Philip Weems’ registration of his bezel design to create a pilot’s navigational aid in 1935. It is now reffered to as the second setting watch and is seen as the watch that created the rotating bezel concept, impacting the design of many watches since.
Professor Phillip Van Horn Weems invention is viewed as having a huge impact on the design of the early pilots watches and subsequently huge advancements in air navigation in the 1930s. The trans-Atlantic flier Charles Lindberg studied under Weems before his 1927 journey, and Weems built on the bezel arrangement to create the hour angle calculations.
 
The issue in timekeeping/setting stemmed from the sea. At sea, celestial sights had to be taken with the aid of a hacking watch to set a ships chronometer. But it was hard to set the watch exactly which made this timing differ from the chronometer, which also differed from GMT. Weems reasoned that if the second hand could not be set to match the dial, it may be possible to make the dial move so that synchronisation could occur.
 
In aviation, timekeeping was much more vital than at sea. Weems was a Lt. Commander in the US Navy and he realised that flying at 200-300 MPH you needed accurate time setting, to the second. Today we have watches with a hacking seconds to cope with this, but in 1929 this was not commonly the case. Weems solution was a rotating bezel calibrated in segments between 0 and 60. This meant that at any time the bezel could be turned to align its vertical 0 position to coincide with its equivalent on any other time source. This was particularly useful in mid-flight with radio time signals, but it also provided less mechanical strain on the movement than hacking.
 
The watch itself:
The case is petite, measuring 28mm across and 30mm with the crown. This is double edged as it does make it a more affordable Weems watch. This was sold as a Civilian model but was often used by members of the American airforce during WW2 un-officially, with many having personal engravings. This does not have an engraving. These are an extremely uncommon watch in the UK market, with good examples even less common. This particular example spent it’s life in the US and was sourced by ourselves for sale in the U.K.
This watch should certainly scratch the itch for anyone seeking an increasingly expensive WW2 issue Weems watch of a larger case size.
 
The case is made from Stainless Steel and is in good condition with light surface scratching which fits with the age. This is in a condition that exceeds most other examples. The sides remain with a nicely polished finish. 
 
The dial has a silver satin finish to the centre which has a slight vertical graining. The outer section of the dial is closer to a cream/white tone and has a dull satin finish. The dial is completely original and is in good condition. The signing to the dial is clear with Wittnauer Weems at 12, with the US patent above 6, with Swiss made below 6 O’clock. The outer minute track is bold and legible.  
 
The hands are original in a thermally blued finish. The thermally blued finish is very bright and looks great in the light. The hour and minute hands are in-filled with modern lume which is bright and is in good condition.
 
The crystal is a replacement acrylic lens. It is in good condition with only light surface scratching, which is not very noticeable. The crown is original and is made of Stainless Steel. It functions as it should. The bezel lock functions well and is also original.
 
The case back is “Base metal” which indicates a lower grade Stainless Steel. It is in good condition. The caseback appears unpolished, apart from natural wear against the wrist. There are only light surface scratches with no deep nicks or marks. It maintains its original circular graining.
 
Inside, it is signed: Cased and timed in USA by Wittnauer, Keystone, Base Metal. The serial number is: 315415.
 
The strap is a brand new black Canvas style strap.  It will fit up to an 8” wrist size.
 
The movement is original and is a Wittnauer calibre 10TS, which is based on a Revue 56. It has 15 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 30 hours. The watch has been recently serviced by the previous owner. The watch has a daily gain of -6 seconds, with an amplitude of 240 and a beat error of 5.6m/s.
 
Full condition report below.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial has a silver satin finish to the centre which has a slight vertical graining. The outer section of the dial is closer to a cream/white tone and has a dull satin finish. The dial is completely original and is in good condition. The signing to the dial is clear with Wittnauer Weems at 12, with the US patent above 6, with Swiss made below 6 O’clock. The outer minute track is bold and legible.  
 
Hands: 
The hands are original in a thermally blued finish. They are in very good condition with no signs of bending or scratching. The thermally blued finish is very bright and looks great in the light. The hour and minute hands are in-filled with modern lume which is bright and is in good condition.
 
Glass: 
The crystal is a replacement acrylic lens. It is in good condition with only light surface scratching, which is not very noticeable. 
 
Crown: 
The crown is original and is made of Stainless Steel. It functions as it should.
The bezel lock functions well and is also original.
 
Case:
The case is made from Stainless Steel and is in good condition with light surface scratching which fits with the age. This is in a condition that exceeds most other examples. The sides remain with a nicely polished finish. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is “Base metal” which indicates a lower grade Stainless Steel. It is in good condition. The caseback appears unpolished, apart from natural wear against the wrist. There are only light surface scratches with no deep nicks or marks. It maintains its original circular graining.
 
Insider, it is signed: Cased and timed in USA by Wittnauer, Keystone, Base Metal.
The serial number is: 315415.
 
Strap: 
The strap is a brand new black Canvas style strap.  It will fit up to an 8” wrist size.
 
Movement: 
The movement is original and is a Wittnauer calibre 10TS, which is based on a Revue 56. It has 15 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 30 hours.
The watch has been recently serviced by the previous owner.
The watch has a daily gain of -6 seconds, with an amplitude of 240 and a beat error of 5.6m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 28mm 
Case width with crown: 30mm 
Case length: 27.5mm 
Case length lug to lug: 34mm 
Lug width: 16mm
Case Depth: 9.5mm