Endorsements & Acknowledgements
The following information comes from the Bob Stokes website:
Vintage Personalized Wristwatches & the Stories They Tell
Reproduced by Permission
Repairing Col. Whitehead’s Hamilton Wilshire
By Bob Stokes
When I purchased the watch, it was running well, but it obviously needed to be serviced. Also, the “12” numeral had fallen off during an earlier repair, and needed to be replaced.
Fortunately, I contacted Ted Tongson (TheWatchDoc@mail.com) and his business partner, Tom Adelstein. They are one of the premiere Hamilton watch repair specialists in the U.S. — and they did a magnificent job of returning Col. Whitehead’s Wilshire to its original glory. Thank you, Ted & Tom!
1941 Hamilton Wilshire
In 1939 Hamilton introduced the flexible lugged Wilshire. Featuring the 14/0 sized 19 jewel 982 movement, the Wilshire came in several different varieties. The Wilshire was made for three years.
Initially it came in a 14K gold filled case with either an applied gold numeral dial with solid 18K gold numerals or a gilt dial with roman numerals. On the wrist the Wilshire is a comfortable watch but a little on the small side.
In the early 1980s, Hamilton re-issued the Wilshire as a limited-edition quartz watch
Dear Ted and Tom,
You recently repaired and restored an 80-year-old Hamilton Wilshire watch for Bob Stokes.
The watch is inscribed “Col. Frank Whitehead / U.S.M C / Staff A.I.C. / 12.23.’41”. It was presented to the Colonel by the staff of the Army Industrial College after the graduation of the final class immediately after America entered WWII. Col. Whitehead was the last pre-war Commandant of AIC, and he retired from the Corps at the rank of Brigadier General on January 1, 1946 – the day before I was born. Significantly, he was my cousin.
After Bob Stokes acquired the watch and somehow (amazingly) learned that I was related to its original wearer, he sent the watch to you for repair and restoration; he and I have been communicating regularly since early February. Today, I received from Bob what appears to be a brand new Hamilton Wilshire watch.
On behalf of my Family and its generations yet to come, I cannot thank you enough for your expert craftsmanship in repairing and restoring my cousin’s watch, and to Bob for sending it back to its Family. Should I or anyone I know (especially all my Texas Friends!) ever require watch repairs, rest assured that The Watch Doc will be the first call made. You truly perform “watch miracles”.
Thanks again & best regards,
Gale Heslop
