Apr 27, 2023

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (April 28, 2023) – Today, Abingdon Co., the female-owned company that creates watches for women, launches its new watch series: Legends, a series that pays homage to the incredible women throughout time that have broken barriers and defied all odds. To kick off the series, the company created a small-batch of commemorative aviation watches in collaboration with The National WASP WWII Museum to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). The watch will be unveiled to the public during the museum’s annual WASP Homecoming Celebration and Fly-in this weekend in Sweetwater, Texas. After the unveiling, the watches will take their first flight on a BT-13 at the historic Avenger Field where the WASP trained during WWII. The watch will be flown by a museum pilot and a female fighter pilot and Thunderbird #3.

The WASP Watch honors the legacy of the first women to fly military aircraft for the United States. The women used their skills to transport and test planes, train male pilots, and even tow targets for live ammunition practice. In total, there will only be 1,102 watches created as part of collaboration to honor the 1,102 WASP who served during WWII. The limited-edition watches come in two color options, silver and two-tone, featuring a smooth and durable brown leather band and starting at $775. In August, Abingdon Co. will be expanding the WASP collection to include a gun metal watch, offered in a special collectors box. Abingdon Co., alongside The National WASP WWII Museum, will gift 14 watches to the remaining 14 WASPs who currently live across the country. 

The watch features the official WASP wings insignia on the face, and the words "WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots" engraved on the back. It has the number 38 on the dial in memory of the 38 WASP who died in service. On the functional side, the watch features three time zones, four hands, a date function, Super Luminova markings, and a bi-directional rotating bezel for tracking a third time zone. The interior consists of a silver sunray dial, rivet hour markings, softened stainless steel carvings, and a Ronda 505.24H Swiss quartz. 

“This watch is more than just a symbol of gratitude and respect,” says Abingdon Mullin, founder and CEO of Abingdon Co. and current pilot herself. “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.”

"What an honor for the WASP to be first in Abingdon's Legends Collection. 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. I've always wanted an Abingdon, and today is the day, " said Lisa Taylor, Executive Director of The National WASP WWII Museum.

For more information and to check out the entire Abingdon Co. watch selection, visit www.abingdonco.com. To learn more about The National WASP WWII Museum and their annual Homecoming Celebration and Fly-in event, visit www.waspmuseum.org.

About Abingdon Co.

Founder and CEO Abingdon Mullin founded the Las Vegas-based company in 2006 during a roundtable conversation with energetic pilots and mechanics who expressed their desires for a fully functional watch. With a market that predominantly serves the male consumer, women have struggled to find purpose-built watches designed to withstand all. The Abingdon Co. offers a range of watches that meet the needs of women who do more including innovative technology including surgical-grade stainless steel, sapphire crystals, Japanese and Swiss movements and genuine leather bands. Abingdon Co. watches are available for purchase at www.abingdonco.com. For additional information including a full list of retailers visit the brand website or Instagram or YouTube.

About The National WASP WWII Museum

The National WASP WWII Museum began in 2002 with the vision of two women, WASP Deanie Bishop Parrish and her daughter, Nancy Parrish. They believed the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots should be showcased at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas on the grounds where most of the WASP trained during World War II. Today, the museum features a beautiful exhibit gallery and sponsors a plethora of programs dedicated to preserving the history of the WASP and its airfield to promote their legacy down to our youngest generation. For more information, visit www.waspmuseum.org.