The dial layout resembles a Longines Cal.19.4—originally released in 1953 and sold until the mid-‘60s—but that model was hand-wound, and this one’s automatic. So I’m thinking it’s a variant of the Longines Sport Chief, powered by the 7402 movement. Most of these were stainless, and this one comes in gold… even if it’s just gold-plated, they still fetch a pretty decent price—around $750 to $1500. And given its cool history, I’d say it’s worth a nice chunk of change.
Now that's a great time capsule all in itself! I also like the flyer that offers a clean fresh T-shirt! Certainly wouldn't want some ol smelly worn T-shirt like my Isky Cam one I'd wear in gym class!
Interesting comparison that “top” prize is a TV and class awards are gold watches. Wonder how much the home theatre was in 1963
Interesting watch...has the 50s subsecond hand, with the early 60s case styling. I've been wearing a Lord Elgin Micromatic for a while, it has the same case design as this Longines, but with a Swiss self winding movement (but it's so early that it doesn't really self wind very much, I have to wind it every day). And a modern second hand. The early 60s watches were very practical, larger and easier to read than the 50s designs, yet not huge like modern watches...and still packed full of non-computer designed mechanical wonder. Incredible that he was able to find that watch!
Hurst gave out some real interesting awards over the years. I have this "golden shifter" award. These were given out to class winners that had Hurst shifters at the 62 Indianapolis NHRA nationals
The TV had a retail of $298 in 1963. The Longines Sport Chief had a retail of around $178 depending on options, etc...
Was there in 62, 64 and 66. Hurst was a big player in those days, much like Summit today. George had deep pockets then to shell out 14K for awards. Good on him. Warren
So entering those amounts into an inflation calculator gives the current day amounts of $3018.67 and $1803.10 Further proof that they were truly in it for the love of drag racing and not getting rich.
It's a full size rotor...and it got service....it keeps time very well. I just wind it a bit every morning, which is fine with me. I like the look and feel of the watch. Even though it's a couple years younger than me! picture of the caliber, from the internet.
I remember talking about the '63 Nationals with the S&S Racing guys (of which Charlie Hill and the Hill/Zartman "Filthy Forty" Willys was a part) while working on an article years back. 1963 was a big year for the team—Pork Zartman actually drove Charlie Hill's Willys to the C/Gas win that earned them this watch; Gene Altizer debuted a new Anglia that won A/Gas (and I bet he's still got his watch!) and made it to Middle Eliminator finals before Ohio George put him on the trailer; and Dave Hales was runner-up in D/Gas. In the video below, you can see Charlie Hill's Willys in action at the 15:05 mark. You can also see the Middle Eliminator final between Montgomery and Altizer around 17:10.
The Jalopy Journal
