WOLBROOK WATCHES STORY
with American roots and French flair.
- From 1949 -
WATCHMAKING SINCE 1949
In 1949, WOLBROOK watches were born in the USA and the fundamentals were defined as below in the 1st advertising of the brand:
Sturdy construction and constant accuracy make Wolbrook watches lifelong companions of their proud wearers. Wolbrook features moderate prices, rugged dependability and quality craftsmanship. All Wolbrook movement are triple checked for accuracy, of rugged construction and fully guaranteed. All parts are standard and interchangeable.
From 1949
1949 - THE FIRST TOOL-WATCH
Wolbrook first tool-watch from 1949:
Ref. 358W2825 - WATERPROOF watch in all stainless-steel case, shockproof, 17 jewel Wolbrook movement, Large sweep second hand, luminous figures and hands. Matching combination mesh expansion band.
Ref. 358W2825 - WATERPROOF watch in all stainless-steel case, shockproof, 17 jewel Wolbrook movement, Large sweep second hand, luminous figures and hands. Matching combination mesh expansion band.
- 1950s -
1954 - SHOCK-RESISTANT WATCHES
Wolbrook introduces shock-resistance in its watches:
“Balance staff and mainspring guaranteed never to break”.
“Balance staff and mainspring guaranteed never to break”.
1950 -2
1955 - THE TOOL-WATCH WORN BY TEST PILOTS AND ENGINEERS
In 1955, Wolbrook sister brand DOUGLAS was created and started to offer highly legible – with the iconic green luminescent indices -, all water proof and shock-protected tool-watches for professionals, and active men and women.
Learn more about: Douglas Watches
Photo Credit & Source: LIFE & TIME
Learn more about: Douglas Watches
Photo Credit & Source: LIFE & TIME
1950s
THE WATCHMAKING "FRENCH CONNECTION"
Boosted by the increasing popularity of aquatic sports, the post WWII French watch industry is booming and develops an expertise in sport and dive watches.
At the end of the 1950s, Wolbrook and Douglas start to produce watches in France to take advantage of the French watchmaking know-how.
At the end of the 1950s, Wolbrook and Douglas start to produce watches in France to take advantage of the French watchmaking know-how.
1950s
1959 - ROULETTE DATE DISK AND CYCLOPS
In 1959, Douglas unveils the roulette date disk and cyclops or “magnifying monocle” on an "unbreakable" crystal for its tool-watches.
- 1960s -
THE "SKINDIVER WORLDTIMER"
In the early 1960s, Wolbrook and Douglas introduced the "Skindiver" watches; including the "Skindiver Worldtimer” tool-watch: a solid, water-resistant and highly legible timepiece with luminous markers and hands, a bold red sweep second hand, distinctive hour and minute hands, a 24-hours / Military Time scale along with a rotatable bezel with time zones and elapsed time.
This mix of features from a diving watch and a pilot watch makes it the kind of tool-watch a NASA engineer and test pilot would choose and operate.
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This mix of features from a diving watch and a pilot watch makes it the kind of tool-watch a NASA engineer and test pilot would choose and operate.
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A SPECIAL TOOL-WATCH
A Douglas Skindiver “Worldtimer” from the 1960s, owned and worn by Neil Armstrong, the legendary test pilot, astronaut and engineer, was auctioned in 2019 and its authenticity was confirmed
As many pilots, astronauts or regular men and women through the 1960s and 1970s owning a personal, extra back-up watch on top of your standard issued time instrument was common sense and practice.
A test pilot flies countless aircrafts through his career. The fact that his Skindiver accompanied him in a cockpit is highly probable but which one is impossible to know and leaves a part of mystery...
Discover the re-edition of this tool-watch: Skindiver WT Professional Tool-Watch - X-15 Limited Edition
Photo Credit & Source: Heritage Auction
As many pilots, astronauts or regular men and women through the 1960s and 1970s owning a personal, extra back-up watch on top of your standard issued time instrument was common sense and practice.
A test pilot flies countless aircrafts through his career. The fact that his Skindiver accompanied him in a cockpit is highly probable but which one is impossible to know and leaves a part of mystery...
Discover the re-edition of this tool-watch: Skindiver WT Professional Tool-Watch - X-15 Limited Edition
Photo Credit & Source: Heritage Auction
SKINDIVER WT PROFESSIONAL TOOL-WATCH
Neil ArmstrongTM is a trademark of the Purdue Research Foundation www.NeilArmstrong.com
1960 - Suite
SKINDIVER TOOL-WATCHES
During the 1960s, Wolbrook manufactured in France different variation of the Skindiver watches while staying faithful to the less-is-more concept of these particular tool-watches: water-proof, functional, solid, and yet compact.
The Skindiver - ref 673B and the ref 674A – illustrated here with their "Tropic" rubber straps are perfect archetypes of these special tool-watches.
Discover the re-editions of the Skindiver watches:
- Skindiver Automatic (with sapphire crystal)
- Skindiver Professional (with Hesalite glass)
The Skindiver - ref 673B and the ref 674A – illustrated here with their "Tropic" rubber straps are perfect archetypes of these special tool-watches.
Discover the re-editions of the Skindiver watches:
- Skindiver Automatic (with sapphire crystal)
- Skindiver Professional (with Hesalite glass)
1960 - Suite
1967 - MECHANICAL CHRONOGRAPH
Wolbrook chronograph ref. 684A with a Swiss movement and a rubber "Tropic" strap.
Discover Wolbrook chronographs:
- Chronographs
Discover Wolbrook chronographs:
- Chronographs
1960 - Suite
THE "INCREDIBLE" WATCH
The SKINDIVER and the SKINDIVER “WORLDTIMER” are among the most notable timepieces of Wolbrook and its sister brand Douglas.
With advertising in Life, Time, and Esquire magazines, these “incredible” watches – as they were called in the headlines - were renowned for their water resistance and were in fact sold in a water-filled container.
Photo Credit & Source: Esquire
With advertising in Life, Time, and Esquire magazines, these “incredible” watches – as they were called in the headlines - were renowned for their water resistance and were in fact sold in a water-filled container.
Photo Credit & Source: Esquire
- Then the “Quartz Crisis” in the 1970s happened… -
After being asleep for 50 years, Wolbrook and Douglas have been "resurrected" in 2019 by a passionated team of watchmaking veterans, and once again these “incredible” tool-watches are assembled in France.
The adventure of Wolbrook & Douglas watches ticks once again on your wrists.