The watch of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart – first solo flight across the Atlantic
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Astronaut Shannon Walker's flight to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz TMA-19 in June 2010 brought a special piece of watch history into space.
Flying alongside her was the watch of Amelia Earhart, the legendary aviator who became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger. Earhart later became the first woman to pilot an airplane solo across the same ocean. The watch arrived at the International Space Station with Walker on board on June 17, 2010, exactly 82 years after Earhart's first transatlantic flight.
Front and back of Earhart's watch Front and back of Amelia Earhart's Longines Chronograph Earhart was one of the first female pilots and was best known for her two transatlantic flights. She was also a founding member and first president of The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed female pilots from 35 countries with over 5,500 members worldwide.
Although there are other women pilot organizations in various states and countries, almost all successful women in aviation are former or current members of the Ninety-Nines. Astronaut Shannon Walker is one of these women. Earhart wore the watch on her two transatlantic flights, "one as a passenger and one solo," according to Joan Kerwin, director of the Ninety-Nines and a member for 39 years.
The watch itself is a Longines chronograph with a pusher and two registers. The back bears the inscription: "This watch was worn by Amelia Earhart on her two transatlantic flights and presented by her to HGS Jr. shortly before her death."
"HGS Jr." refers to H. Gordon Selfridge Jr., the owner of the famous London department store. Selfridge had met Earhart in London after her 1932 crossing, when she realized she would need appropriate attire for public appearances. She quickly gained Selfridge's friendship and great admiration, which led to him giving her a special watch, which she wore on her presumably fatal flight.
In return, she gave Selfridge the watch she had worn on her two previous Atlantic crossings. Selfridge's account of the watch exchange is detailed in George Palmer Putnam's book "Soaring Wings." Selfridge gave the watch to Fay Gillis Wells, a founding member of the Ninety-Nines.
According to Wells, "Gordon Selfridge gave me the watch when we were working on the Amelia Earhart commemorative postage stamp ceremony in 1963." Wells kept the watch in her Washington, D.C., apartment until she founded the Forest of Friendship to honor other aviation figures.
"She needed money for the Forest of Friendship in Amelia's hometown of Atchison, Kansas, so the clock was auctioned off," said Kerwin, who won the clock at the auction.
After returning from space, the watch was exhibited at the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots in Oklahoma City.
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