Jun 13, 2023

Abingdon Co., a female-owned company that creates watches for active women, launched a timepiece that honors World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

Erin Miller, granddaughter of WASP member Elaine Danforth Harmon, wears the Abingdon Co. WASP watch at the National WASP WWII Museum’s annual WASP Homecoming and Fly-in. Photo courtesy of Abingdon Co. 

The first in a series of Legends watches that pay homage to notable women throughout history, the commemorative WASP watches were created in collaboration with the National WASP WWII Museum and designed to honor the first women to fly military aircraft for the United States.

The watch was unveiled to the public during the National WASP WWII Museum’s annual WASP Homecoming and Fly-in, in Sweetwater, Texas, in April. After the unveiling, the watches took their first flight on a Vultee BT–13 Valiant at the historic Avenger Field, where the WASP trained during World War II. The company and the museum will gift 14 watches to the remaining 14 WASP members.

To commemorate the WASP, the company says only 1,102 watches will be produced to represent the 1,102 WASP who served during World War II. The watch will feature the official WASP wings insignia on the face, with the words “Honoring the WASP – Women Airforce Service Pilots 1942-1944” engraved on the back. A number 38, in memory of the 38 WASP who died in service, sits prominently on the dial.

“What an honor for the WASP to be first in Abingdon’s Legends Collection,” Lisa Taylor, executive director of the National WASP WWII Museum, said. “First class pilots memorialized on a world class watch. This timeless piece will bring joy as it keeps my heroes and mentors, the WASP, ever on my mind…”

On the technical side, the watch features three time zones, four hands, a date function, Super Luminova afterglow pigment markings, and a bidirectional rotating bezel for tracking the third time zone. A silver sunray dial, rivet hour markings, softened stainless steel carvings, and a Ronda 505.24H Swiss quartz movement are inside the case.

“This watch is more than just a symbol of gratitude and respect,” Abingdon Mullin, founder and CEO of Abingdon Co. and pilot, said. “It is a reminder of the importance of breaking down barriers and fighting for what is right. The WASP were pioneers in their field, and they paved the way for generations of women to pursue careers in aviation and other male-dominated industries. Despite their invaluable contributions to the war effort, the WASP were not recognized as veterans until 1977, and many of them never received the recognition and appreciation they deserved during their lifetimes. That is why [this] commemorative watch is so important.”

The watch, which starts at $775, is currently offered in two color options, silver and two-tone, and includes a smooth, durable brown leather band. The company says it plans to expand the WASP collection in August to include a gunmetal watch, offered in a “special collectors’ box.”

Original Article can be found at AOPA