Fred's Stop Clocks

[Paul R Titus]

According to Omega, "Earhart's Lockheed Electra 10E NR was equipped with a dashboard an Omega 39 CHRO chronograph. On her wrist, the most famous aviatrix of all time wore an Omega 28.9 chronograph and Fred Noonan sported an Omega Marine."

http://www.omegamuseum.com/pioneering-spirit

[C.W. Herndon]

Great fine Paul!  :)  Must be a new post. I have been to their site several times and found nothing.  ::)

[C.W. Herndon]

The Omega data base does not include examples of the watches that the site claims were worn by AE and FN. It does, however include a listing for the "Aircraft chronograph". Except for the dial color, it appears to be the one shown in our pictures of the navigator's table in the electra. Hurrah!  ;D See pictures below.

Omega Aircraft Chronograph

[John Ousterhout]

Woody, great find!

[C.W. Herndon]

Thanks John. Paul is the one who found the place to look!  :D

I'm not convinced about the individual watches yet.  :-\

[Mark Pearce]

An original print of the Earhart/Manning photo can be had for a mere $345-

http://aviation-antiques.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000475

AMELIA EARHART /HARRY MANNING ORIGINAL PHOTO, 1937

"...Very rare original photograph of legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart taken by her only authorized personal photographer, Albert Bresnik......this 10" by 13" image is mounted on 16" by 20" mat and signed in ink personally by Bresnik as well as having his embossed logo in the lower left hand of the photograph.... an affixed (copied) note on reverse of photo by Bresnik states that he was "Amelia Earharts personal photographer" and that "You are in the possession of a valuable photograph of Amelia Earhart taken by myself..."

[C.W. Herndon]

I have finally located watches very similar to those worn by AN and FN on their flight. Omega Chronotachymetre here and picture 1 below. AE's here and picture 2 below. This one has minor differences in a) type of hands and b) location of small registers.

Omega Chronotachymetre
AE's Watch


Omega Marine Watch here and picture 3 below. FN's here and picture 4 below. Difference in watch face, round dial as opposed to square one.

Omega Marine Watch, 1934
FN's Watch

[Paul R Titus]

I have finally located watches very similar to those worn by AN and FN on their flight. Omega Chronotachymetre here and picture 1 below. AE's here and picture 2 below. This one has minor differences in a) type of hands and b) location of small registers.

Omega Chronotachymetre
AE's Watch

That's a darn good match, Woody: AE's watch and the Chronotachymetre-thingy. That watch forum even stated: "think these have a movement called caliber 28.9, after the diameter of the movement" which matches the description I found at Omega. BUT doesn't Fred's watch look almost the same? Except that the area outside the dial (the circular part swept by the hands), is dark vs AE's white. Could they each have worn the same model watch on the world flight? You know, make it easier to "synch watches" so to speak, right down to the "error" associated with the movement?

[C.W. Herndon]

Paul, I was looking for one that matched what the Omega web site said Fred was wearing. I found it hard to believe he was wearing a watch that did not have a stop function.

You may be right, they look very similar in the bad pictures we have. I have discovered that there were apparently different options for the same model watch. This changed their appearance somewhat.

Good point about being able to "synch watches".