View source for Disposal of Surplus Timepieces after World War Two

==Surplus Military Timepieces==
===Kenneth Gordon on the disposal of British military timepieces directly after World War II===
===Introduction===
The successful landing of Allied troops on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944 was a defining point in World War II
(WWII), marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Increasingly from mid-1944, the British Government focused its attention on how best to reorganise the economy away from production of military equipment to consumer goods. A major challenge was how to manage the impact of the disposal of surplus military equipment on a re-emerging civilian economy. With the misery of the Great Depression still fresh in policymakers’ minds, a key objective was to develop a post-WWII Keynesian economic architecture, which provided full employment and smoothed out the peaks and troughs of the business cycle.
===Developing a British Watch Industry===
A twin challenge facing the British Government near the end of
WWII was how to balance the competing objectives of
disposing of hundreds of thousands of surplus military
timepieces, while at the same time developing a domestic
watch industry.
For both strategic and economic reasons, the British
Government considered it important to develop a viable
domestic timepiece manufacturing industry which could supply
suitable clocks and watches to the military. From a strategic
perspective, it was considered essential to develop the
manufacture of a suitable service watch in the event of another
conflict, as it may not be possible to rely on the supply of Swiss
watches. For economic reasons, it was important to avoid the
expenditure of hard currency in peace time on imported
watches.
To nurture a fledgling watch industry, a range of policy
measures was developed. This included limiting imports
through quotas and providing development contracts to
domestic firms such as Smiths to produce specialised watches
for the three Services.
Policy Considerations
On 19 July 1944, the British Government released a White
Paper entitled ‘Government Surplus Stores – Plans for
Disposal’ which provided a policy framework on the orderly
disposal of surplus goods. A key objective was to minimise
opportunities for profiteering at the expense of consumers,
while taking account of the commercial interests of producers
and distributors.
To avoid the mistakes made directly after WWI, it was
necessary to introduce a range of measures to manage the
release of a large quantity of surplus military equipment. One
such measure was the setting and enforcement of price
controls to avoid racketeering. The lack of effective price
controls at the end of WWI resulted in situations where dealers,
who had acquired valuable government property, such as
pocket watches for relatively low prices, on-sold the same items
at very large profits. Another measure was restricting the
purchase of surplus stock to producers and distributors
operating in the relevant industry before the outbreak of WWII.
Such a measure was to prevent speculators from flooding the
market and making large and quick profits.
The potential impact of the release of surplus military stores on
employment was a critical factor. The British Government had
accepted officially in its White Paper on Employment Policy
(released in May 1944) responsibility for the maintenance of
employment, and explicitly stipulated that ‘the disposal of
surplus Government stocks shall not prejudice the reestablishment
and development of the normal trade channels
for producing and distributing similar goods’.
Disposal Scheme
At a series of meetings between the Board of Trade (BOT) and
representatives from the horological trade industry in late 1944,
it was agreed in principle that disposal of surplus military
timepieces would be effected through the medium of a nonprofit
making disposals company, membership of which would
be open to all UK manufacturers and bona fide wholesalers and
importers of clocks and watches. Subsequent negotiations
between the BOT and industry proceeded slowly, but by
September 1945 agreement had been reached on the draft
memorandum and articles of association of the company.
However, in November 1945, before such arrangements could
be formally implemented, the responsibility of managing the
disposal of surplus timepieces shifted from the BOT to the
Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP). Much to the chagrin of the
1. 1940 British Air Ministry issued Longines ‘Weems’ Mk VIIA
(Stores Ref. 6B/159). Photo: Knirim.
2. Two stop watches considered surplus to military
requirements at the end of WWII.
Horological Journal April 2013 161
British horological industry, MAP announced a new approach
which involved selling surplus clocks and watches by
competitive tendering. MAP’s position had been developed
after careful consideration of the proposed scheme of disposing
of timepieces through a disposal company. MAP concluded that
to sell watches and clocks in that manner would likely result in
end users paying prices out of all reasonable relationship to
those received by the Government, which would be difficult to
defend.
The industry groups involved in developing the disposal
company were furious with MAP’s proposed scheme, indicating
that the disposal through the trade conformed to the principles
of the White Paper and were astounded that MAP would wish
to take a different course from that provisionally agreed by the
BOT. Industry contended that sale by competitive tendering to
a wide field would damage many of the small retailers who
could not possibly compete against bigger retailers. Industry
representatives said that the trade had served the Government
well during the war (eg, by acting as a cloak for the import of
military timepieces) and it was now up to the Government to
see that they were given a fair deal. MAP defended its
approach by indicating that the disposal of surplus watches as
near as possible to the end user was not inconsistent with
White Paper principles, and there was no intention to sell
outside the trade. MAP felt that sale by competitive tender was
fair both to the trade and the end user.
Nevertheless, MAP did acknowledge that the proposed scheme
for distribution through a disposal company had certain merits.
Chiefly, such an approach would facilitate control of the rate of
release and geographical distribution of surpluses. But, it was
MAP’s view that the demand for most types of timepieces would
likely be so great that rapid disposal of all surpluses would not
have a disruptive effect on the market. Also, ensuring fair
distribution could partly be achieved by advertising the tender
process throughout the UK.
The Competitive Tender Scheme
Under the disposal scheme developed and implemented by the
MAP, watches of standard service types and clocks which were
readily saleable without modification were sold by competitive
tendering, subject to end prices not exceeding the maximum
fixed by a Price Control Order. The opportunity to tender was
given to all manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and
other dealers, who were engaged in the clock and watch trade
before WWII. MAP advertised its intention to dispose of military
surplus clocks and watches in trade journals and in selected
national newspapers and invited manufacturers, importers,
wholesalers, retailers and other dealers to apply for tender
forms. Applicants were required to provide evidence that they
were bona fide traders in one of the categories mentioned and
were so engaged before the war.
Generally, tenders were invited to purchase lots of not less than
twenty of any one type of timepiece. While the highest tenders
were normally accepted in the absence of special reasons to
the contrary, discretion could be exercised to ensure that
traders with modest means could receive a fair share or to
ensure fair geographical distribution. Watches of non-standard
types and clocks which required adaptation and re-casing
before resale were sold by tender to the trade without price
restriction.
Price Ceilings
To avoid profiteering, it was considered necessary to fix
maximum prices by statutory order for three categories of
timepieces: (i) wristwatches; (ii) pocket watches, and (iii)
certain types of stop watches (timers).
On 11 March 1946, a Price Control Order was released by the
Minister of Supply entitled ‘The Controlled Surplus Stores –
Clocks and Watches (No 1) Order’. The Order provided
maximum prices for the sale of certain government surplus
clocks and watches, prohibited the alteration or erasure of
official identifying marks on the goods, and prescribed certain
conditions of trading. The Price Control Order was inclusive of
purchase tax and the goods were sold on a tax-inclusive basis.
As it transpired, the Price Control Order was not required, as
prices never reached the controlled maxima.
The watches were generally sold to large firms like Bravingtons
and Gamages, who advertised extensively and took a small
quick profit on the transaction. In fact, some sections of the
trade used the Price Control Order in a perverted sense by, for
example, advertising at £4.10s ‘for which the Government price
is £8.10s’. The Price Control Order was revoked on 7 March
1951.
3. Full title of the 1946 Price Control Order for surplus military
timepieces.
4. The Schedule of the 1946 Price Control Order which
proclaimed ceiling prices for certain surplus military timepieces.
162 April 2013 Horological Journal
Types of Timepieces
Generally, timepieces identified in the Price Control Order were
those which could be readily sold on the civilian market without
modification (unlike, for example, aircraft clocks). Timepieces
were ‘thrown-up’ by all three Services: Army, Royal Navy (RN)
and Royal Air Force (RAF), with the bulk of timepieces identified
as surplus to military requirements being of the pocket watch
type.
Wristwatches:
Directly after WWII there were three regular types of
wristwatches deemed surplus to requirements and the subject
of price control: the Mk VIIA (stores reference 6B/159); the Mk
VIII (stores reference 6B/234); and the Army Trade Pattern
(ATP).
By far the most desirable of all surplus timepieces identified for
disposal was the Mk VIIA. According to Air Publication 1275,
dated February 1941, the wrist watch Mk VIIA (6B/159) was
supplied for aircraft navigators’ use. The Mk VIIA specification
required a 36-hour keyless lever movement, with hour, minute
and seconds hands of blued steel. The Mk VIIA was issued with
a strong leather strap sewn to the watch. The majority of the Mk
VIIA watches were fitted with a rotatable ‘Weems’ bezel.
However, there were watches without the rotatable bezel and
these were differentiated with a star after the words ‘Mk VIIA’ on
the packing box. Three Mk VIIA brands were listed under the
Price Control Order: (i) Le Coultre; (ii) Omega; and (iii)
Longines. Of all the timepieces listed in the Price Control Order,
the Longines Mk VIIA had the highest price ceiling of £20.
In an official note dated 10 September 1945, the Mk VIIA was
described as:
The Movado, Ebel and Cyma Mk. VIII (stores reference 6B/234)
wristwatches were a general service type used by the RAF and
supplied in accordance with a specification requiring:
• 10½ – 12 ligne 16 jewel, 36 hour lever movement with
centre seconds hand;
• round case with horn lugs made from stainless steel,
nickel, chrome or other metal; and
• silvered dial with Arabic numerals.
The Army Trade Pattern (ATP) wristwatch was a general
service timepiece supplied by 18 Swiss makers in accordance
with a specification requiring:
• 10½– 12 ligne, 15 jewel lever movements timed ± 30
sec. per day in 4 positions;
• metal dials, luminised, offset seconds; and
• stainless steel or nickel chrome waterproof cases.
Approximately 133,600 ATP wristwatches were supplied to the
War Office.
6. Extract from the official note, dated 10 September 1945,
describing the RAF Mk VIIA.
5. 1940 British Air Ministry issued Omega Mk VIIA (Stores Ref
6B/159) wristwatch. Such timepieces were procured from Swiss
watchmakers by the London-based Goldsmiths & Silversmiths
Co Ltd.
7. 1940 Jaeger-LeCoultre ‘Weems’ Mk VIIA (Air Ministry Stores
Reference 6B/159). Photos: Knirim.
8. Rotary ATP. Photos: Knirim.
Horological Journal April 2013 163
Pocket Watches:
Over 80 per cent of all surplus timepieces sold directly after
WWII were pocket watches. For price control purposes, pocket
watches were divided into two categories depending on
whether or not the watch had luminous markers on the dial.
By far the most abundant type of pocket watch was the British
Army GSTP with around 662,300 Swiss made GSTP pocket
watches delivered to the War Office up to February 1945.
According to War Office records, 26 Swiss makes were
supplied with the following characteristics:
• 19 ligne, 15 jewel lever movements timed ±30 sec per
day in 3 positions.
• Metal dial, luminised.
• Nickel or brass plated case.
Stop Watches:
Broadly speaking, pocket timers were of two types measuring
either at 1/5th second or 1/10th second intervals, and were
supplied by various Swiss makers and Smiths.
The 1/5th second pocket timer such as the RAF 6B/129 and RN
Pattern 4 features a 11 jewelled lever movement. The dial is
calibrated to 60 seconds and recording to 30 minutes. Some
timers (eg RAF 6B/107 and 6B/140) have an additional
calibration of 360°, the purpose of which is to assist with
direction finding.
Other 1/5th second pocket timers such as the RAF 6B/117 and
6E/287, the RN Pattern 3169 and HS7 timers have a 7 jewelled
lever movement with a nickel case, which were designed to run
for a period of 8-hours from fully wound. The dials are calibrated
up to 60 seconds and recording to 30 minutes. These types of
timers were intended for general application and could be used
in an aircraft. Some variants (eg 6B/221) also had additional
calibrations of 360° on the dial.
The 1/10th second pocket timer has a 7 jewelled lever
movement, with a dial calibrated up to 30 seconds in one
revolution, a second circle in red up to 60 seconds on second
revolution, recording to 15 minutes. The specification required
the case to be constructed of nickel.
Quantity of Surplus Watches?
It is estimated that over 1.3 million timepieces were supplied to
the British military during WWII. Over 80 per cent of timepieces
supplied in this period were produced in Switzerland. All
timepieces supplied from the United States were obtained
under Lend-Lease arrangements, and as a condition of such
arrangements the American Mission for Economic Affairs was
consulted regarding disposal.
Approximate Quantities of Timepieces supplied to the
British Military up to 1 February 1945
Source Type Quantity
United Kingdom Stop watches 60,000
SUBTOTAL 60,000
United States Pocket watches 160,000
Wrist watches 10,000
Stop watches 30,000
SUBTOTAL 200,000
Switzerland Pocket watches 850,000
Wrist watches 200,000
Stop watches 50,000
SUBTOTAL 1,100,000
TOTAL 1,360,000
According to estimates, as at June 1947, over half a million
British military timepieces had either been sold or were destined
to be sold by competitive tendering.
Markings
Initially, relevant British Government Ministries were of the view
that surplus clocks and watches with the Broad Arrow mark or
other Government property mark should be cancelled or
removed and substituted for the Government Surplus Stores
(GSS) mark. However, after further reflection, this approach
was not adopted because of the lack of workshop facilities to
undertake such work; the cost involved in substituting the
existing marks; and the risk of watches being damaged in the
process. It was also considered an advantage to retain the
government markings as the definitions for the Price Control
Order could be more accurately given by quoting the code
reference number engraved on all the timepieces.
Exports
The option of receiving tenders for export was considered and
pursued throughout the disposal process. Tenders for pocket
watches were particularly encouraged due to the large quantity
of surplus stock of this type of timepiece and the urgent need
for foreign currency. For example, on 14 June 1946 it was
widely reported in Australian newspapers that the British
Government had surplus Swiss pocket watches for disposal
and the Australian trade would be invited to submit offers. But
it quickly became apparent that export agents and overseas
firms were unwilling to buy in a speculative market and the price
at which they sought to buy pocket watches was very low.
9. Jaeger-LeCoultre pocket watch marked with the broad arrow
and GSTP on the outer case back. Photos: Knirim.
10. Royal Navy Patt 3169 stopwatch. Photos: Knirim.
164 April 2013 Horological Journal
Watches, Waterproof, Wristlet
Despite recognition that the British military would have surplus
timepieces as the war in Europe was drawing to an end, a new
type of General Service wristwatch for the British Army had
been ordered. At an inter-ministry meeting held on 17
September 1945, the War Office advised that the order of
Swiss-made General Service wristwatches, referred to by the
specification title of ‘Watches, Waterproof, Wristlet’ (WWW)
should be cancelled. However, because of the advanced state
of the order and the fact that the WWW was considered to be
far superior to any other type of wristwatch in service, it was
subsequently decided that the order for approximately 130,000
WWW would be followed through.
Outcome
The bulk of WWII British surplus military timepieces were
disposed of in the period 1946-47. Disposal of surplus
timepieces through a competitive tendering process
represented a compromise between the rigid principles
imposed by the White Paper on disposals (which favoured
disposal through trade bodies, at prices which allowed for
computed profit margins for the various agents of distributions)
and free competition. The competitive tendering process was
generally considered a success by authorities because:
• normal commerce was not significantly disrupted;
• the public was able to buy a good quality timepiece at a
reasonable price;
• the return to public funds was considered a good deal
better than could have been achieved by a restrictive and
elaborate trade scheme; and
• excessive profits were not made by racketeers.
Acknowledgements
Grateful acknowledgment is made to Dr Konrad Knirim for
generously providing photos which also appear in his book
British Military Timepieces, and David Read for his valuable
advice and guidance. Thanks also to the Royal Air Force
Museum, Royal Australian Air Force Museum and The National
Archives UK.
References
Air Publication 1275, February 1941.
Archive files on the disposal of surplus timepieces, The National
Archives, Kew.
British Military Timepieces, Konrad Knirim, 2009, ISBN 978-3-
89355-260-3.
Employment Policy, White Paper, May 1944.
Government Surplus Stores – Plans for Disposal, White Paper,
July 1944.
Hansard, Surplus Government Stores (Disposal), 25 July 1944
Hansard, Surplus Government Stores (White Paper), 18 July
1944.
The Controlled Surplus Stores – Clocks and Watches (No. 1)
Order, released on 11 March 1946.
The Glasgow Herald, Surplus War Stores, July 19, 1944.
Kenneth Gordon
11. Correspondence dated 16 June 1947 from the Director
General of Disposal to the National Association of Goldsmiths of
Gt Britain and Ireland (Incorporated).
12. Timor WWW. Photos: Knirim.