We publish a blogpost we received from a Waltham Field & Marine customer which really touched our hearts. We hope that these memories will contribute to keep the legacy of all the courageous men who fought for our liberty alive.
“This pictures sequence means a lot to me. As you know, the first Waltham Field & Marine was designed in 1918 by Charles Depollier in order to supply the soldiers a watch capable to resist to the water, the humidity, and the dust that were everywhere in the trenches of the First World War.
My Grand Father was there. You see here is 1916 military identity plate. Maybe you already know that when they had free time, the soldiers made small objects with the shell casings, such a cigarettes lighters, sometimes with a book shape. The name Craonne, engraved on the lighter of the pictures is famous. It’s a village near Verdun, on the « Chemin des dames » battle field. One of the most violent battle of the WW1. 5 Millions of shells felt on the « chemin des dames » between April the 6th and the 16th, 1917. My Grand father was there. But he made it.
In 1940, despite his age an his 5 children family which could have allowed him to stay at home, he volunteered. The Elephant badge on the pictures belongs to the 194e heavy artillery regiment where is was assigned. He made it again. Unfortunately he died a few years later of an heart attack. I haven’t had the chance to meet him.
Men at that time had a high sense of honor and duty. Thanks Grand Pa. Thanks to all.
I hope you haven’t found this long publication too boring. But it seems to me that the new Waltham Field & Marine is also a kind of homage to all these men who fought for their country and families. This post is dedicated to them”.
