billy1
36
Further thoughts on serial numbers ...
Nov 07, 2013,11:41 AM
Hi Nicolas,
Serial numbers were assigned by the US Gov (the US Navy being the agency tasked with final acceptance), but engraved by the Rayville Watch Mfg. Co. Watch serial numbers of units not accepted may or not have been repeated. What further complicates this issue is the fact that while repair parts were not part of either initial order they may have been requested and stored, as per the contract agreement. Thus an unmarked case could be found at either end of the procurement process (at the factory or in Gov. storage), but a serial number would have been assigned and engraved if actually put into service. The instructions for final disposal also indicate that all watches in service were assigned a four digit serial number. I hope this is helpful and of interest. Kind regards, B.
Comments:
view entire thread
Issued Tornek history!
By: billy1 : November 3rd, 2013-17:19
Hello gents, In response to Brian's post below: "Lets see your issued bp's!", I thought I share the history of my Tornek Rayville TR-900. Years ago I had the chance to purchase and lucky enough to acquire a TR-900 that had belonged to a very special Marin...
What a great story
By: Spellbound : November 3rd, 2013-21:01
The watch carries with it the history of bravery and honour. I can't imagine the feeling you get when strapping it on your wrist. I guess a sense of gratitude and humbleness. Dean
My thoughts on missing serial numbers ...
By: billy1 : November 6th, 2013-15:56
The single example I absolutely know the story behind is Mr. Dowling's example, which remained at the Blancpain factory till it was sold. This example is just as you describe: no serial number was ever engraved. As for other examples which may be turning ...
Further thoughts on serial numbers ...
By: billy1 : November 7th, 2013-11:41
Hi Nicolas, Serial numbers were assigned by the US Gov (the US Navy being the agency tasked with final acceptance), but engraved by the Rayville Watch Mfg. Co. Watch serial numbers of units not accepted may or not have been repeated. What further complica...
Of course it is interesting!
By: amanico : November 7th, 2013-12:20
Which tends to demonstrate that if the Navy assigns the numbers which are therefore engraved by Rayville, the Watch wasn't issued, if no number was engraved. Except, maybe, if the case back is a replacement one. Who knows, maybe the wearer broke it, or a ...
Thanks for this great Tornek story.
By: Bill : November 4th, 2013-10:47
It is such a pleasure to see how the watch has been a companion and a witness to so much history. We really appreciate the time and effort you put into the article and thank you for sharing. Thanks Bill
Hands down the coolest tr-900!
By: Briandumais : November 4th, 2013-17:13
I remember lusting over Billy's tr-900 several years ago while reading his old website. I was determined to locate my own tr900. It took about a year to locate one from Iowa and it was the 3 or 4 known at the time. In my eyes Billy's is the "first" and mo...
Thank you for all the kind replies!
By: billy1 : November 6th, 2013-16:14
I appreciate the kind replies and am very happy to be able to contribute a little here. Thank you and very kind regards, B.
What can I say. .. A fascinating post and great history .. Thanks :))
By: hs111 : November 7th, 2013-00:22
Being just a humble owner of a FF no rad, but having had the pleasure to see several TR's with friends, also allowing me to have it on my wrist. This watch has a strong character but also a certain aura because it can tell stories, stories about hard duti...
