Wednesday, May 25, 2016

The 1956 Packard Clipper...Wristwatch?



The ubiquitous symbol of the mid-1950's Packard Clipper was the ship steering wheel, and was presented in their advertising, tchotchkes, and car emblems.



And occasionally, one runs across a pre-1950's, Packard-emblazoned wristwatch, that was used for promotion, employee recognition, etc... 




There was also an early-20th century Indian company that produced a run with the Packard name.


But this wristwatch is a puzzler. It's not a cheapie, run-of-the-mill "club special", it has a nice Valjoux Swiss movement, and sharp Heuer-inspired chronograph design.


The "Packard" lettering has a different fade, suggesting an-add on, but even the back of the watch is professionally inscribed "PACKARD".


The kicker is that this watch was put together LONG after the demise of the Packard Motor Company, which leads me to believe that someone really, really loved their 1956 Clipper, and had to special order the coolest chronograph race watch he could afford, and 60 years later, we have it right in front of us to admire, just like the original owner would have wanted!

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