Wrist Watch and Case
Production date
1927
Country
Switzerland
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Object detail
Description
Square silver case, 29mm x 29mm. White dial luminous hands and numerals. Small seconds dial and hand at 8 o'clock. Brown leather strap perished. Bear (Swiss St. Silver Hallmark) Repairers MPRKS "R8678" "P7936" "P7326" "11/175" "27 1134PSDN" On case "117" Bear. On Movement "CYMA Swiss Made 15 Jewells".
Classification
HOROLOGY Watches Wristwatch
Maker
Production date
1927
Production place
Measurements
L192 x W30 x H7mm
Media/Materials description
Leather (Animal/Human Remains)
Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
Indeterminate (Glass)
Steel (Metals - Ferrous)
Indeterminate (Glass)
Signature/Marks
'Kingsford Smith\Round Australia Flight\1927\Trans Pacific Flight\1928'
CYMA Swiss Made .925 [in rectangle] 0165999 3117
CYMA Swiss Made .925 [in rectangle] 0165999 3117
History and use
This wrist watch and case belonged to celebrated Queensland aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Historians believe the watch was worn by “Smithy” during the first successful east-west crossing of the Atlantic and his record-breaking solo flight from England to Australia. The watch was given additional historic significance in 2001 when Australian astronaut Andy Thomas carried it on the space shuttle Discovery. Made in 1927 by Swiss manufacturer CYMA, the watch features a brown leather band, white dial and luminous hands and numbers. It is accompanied by a square, silver case.
Charles Kingsford Smith was born in Brisbane on the 9th of February, 1897. His first experience of aviation came during the First World War when he joined the Royal Flying Corps, after which he worked as a barnstormer, piloting joy flights and running airmail services around the US and in Australia. In 1928, he purchased the Southern Cross, possibly his best-known aircraft and the catalyst for his recognition as an Australian aviation hero. He studded his flying career with record times and pioneering distances, and was knighted in 1932 for services to aviation. Later that year, he was awarded the title of Air Commodore. He and co-pilot Tom Pethybridge vanished over the Indian Ocean on the 8th of November, 1935, while attempting to break the England-Australia speed record. Kingsford Smith is arguably the most famous and honoured Australian aviator to date.
This watch was carried into space by Australian astronaut, Andy Thomas, on STS 102 (flight 103) on space shuttle Discovery in March 2001.
Charles Kingsford Smith was born in Brisbane on the 9th of February, 1897. His first experience of aviation came during the First World War when he joined the Royal Flying Corps, after which he worked as a barnstormer, piloting joy flights and running airmail services around the US and in Australia. In 1928, he purchased the Southern Cross, possibly his best-known aircraft and the catalyst for his recognition as an Australian aviation hero. He studded his flying career with record times and pioneering distances, and was knighted in 1932 for services to aviation. Later that year, he was awarded the title of Air Commodore. He and co-pilot Tom Pethybridge vanished over the Indian Ocean on the 8th of November, 1935, while attempting to break the England-Australia speed record. Kingsford Smith is arguably the most famous and honoured Australian aviator to date.
This watch was carried into space by Australian astronaut, Andy Thomas, on STS 102 (flight 103) on space shuttle Discovery in March 2001.
Associated person
Registration number
H10868
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