The increased capabilities of 1920’s aviation generated many opportunities for daring men and women to get more involved in aviation; breaking air speeds, recording great distances, or just to be revered while landing on a nearby lake or airport.
Aviation captured the imagination of all, including a New York City resident and WWI US Navy veteran named Samuel Klepper. Many residents of Saratoga Springs, NY would always be amazed to see Samuel and his wife Lillian flying their float plane over nearby Lake George just 200 miles north of New York City where they lived. Samuel and his bride Lillian loved to drive up to Lake George, don on their leather flying caps, their flying goggles and launch their Aeromarine 40 over Lake George with their silk scarves flapping in the wind. Life was simple and fun.
Born in 1892 and raised by his Romanian parents in New York City, Samuel Klepper had always been excited by aviation. While in the military, Samuel always found himself looking for anything aeronautical. One day he found his way to a 1917 Royal Aircraft S.E.5a biplane which was instrumental in providing air superiority on the Western Front. Samuel felt he was destined to be a part of aviation history.
Samuel listed his profession as a radio jobber during the 1930 census and owned the radio franchise the Hamilton Radio Corporation with his brother in law, Wolfe Kalmin. Four years later, in 1934, Samuel changed the business name to the Pilgrim Electric Corporation. They specialized in selling radio receptors and supplying people who needed vacuum tube testers, radio analyzers, communicating receivers, and OHM's Law and resistor color code wheel charts.
In 1937, based on Samuel’s passion for all things aviation and his experience in the radio industry, specifically designing radio wheel charts, Samuel started integrating his passions. Samuel began producing precision avigation instruments like flight calculators, navigation plotters, protractors and his signature aviation tool, the Bezelmeter Aviation Chronograph.
Samuel called his company the Jardur Import Company.
“Jardur Import Company, New York, is the exclusive importer from Switzerland the well-known Jardur aviation waterproof Bezelmeter chronographs and the Jardur aviation waterproof wristwatches. The Swiss cases containing the fine quality 17 jewel movements were of the latest thin type. The Jardur precision timers were especially designed for the pilots, and incorporated outstanding features necessary and desirable in all flying procedures. The Jardur Company also is marketing their new Jardur-Warner air navigational plotter, a compact precision instrument with a tolerance within a fractional part of a degree. It was designed by L. A Warner, a former Navy officer and instructor in advanced navigation at the naval air training station in Pensacola, Florida. The plotter was made of Vinlylite for permanent wear and it met the exacting requirements of student, private and commercial pilots, because of its simplicity and ease of operation. It was used in all kinds of chart work, solution of wind problems, deviation graphs, radio navigation and celestial navigation.”
Jardur Escadrille member, Captain Donald F. Walton's 1940’s Bezelmeter 960:
This 36mm Jardur Bezelmeter 960 series military vintage aviation watch houses the legendary 71 Valjoux movement, a testament to its enduring quality. While a light inspection revealed a missing movement screw and sweep second hand, the heart – the original 71 Valjoux – remains in impressive working condition.
Still proudly displaying the "Pilgrim Electric Corp" engraving, this 17-jewel, hand-wound, 2-button, 9-column chronograph movement, with only a few small repairs, will be ready to tick through many more chapters.
The user of this tool watch was Captain Donald F. Walton. As you will see, his military career exemplifies dedication and unwavering service to everything aviaiton.
Following his 1940 graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BA in Aeronautical Engineering, Captain Walton entered the Navy in 1941, briefly contributing to Lockheed before serving as a naval aviator during World War II. Based in Florida and Virginia, he distinguished himself flying or being associated with the Martin PBM Mariner patrol aircraft, S3F1, A2F-1 Intruder (A-6), N2S Stearman, N3N, SNV Valiant, SNJ Texan, PBY Catalina, OS2U Kingfisher, JRF-6 Goose, The Howard GH-1, J4F-1 Widgeon, OV-10A Bronco, A-5 Vigilante, and the Piper J-3 Cub.
Honorably discharged in 1945, he was recalled the following year, embarking on a diverse post-war career within the Navy. Captain Walton held key roles in the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics, honed his leadership and expertise through advanced education at the Naval Postgraduate School and Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and played pivotal roles in aircraft development as program manager for the A2F Grumman Intruder. Further leadership refinement came through the Armed Forces Staff College, and he capped his distinguished career as the Navy representative at the Ohio North American Aviation Plant. Captain Walton's legacy is one of technical prowess, leadership, and enduring commitment to the Navy's mission.
Own a piece of history! This legendary aviation watch, available at Jardur Watches, unlocks the story of Captain Walton's remarkable feats through accompanying aviation documents and images.
$3500.00
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.