A shout out on Welsbro Wednesday to Aurelian who previously wrote about this company in a WC post titled "Welsbro: The Quiet American". As a New York City assembluer the Weissman Watch Company imported and assembled Swiss watch parts beginning in 1926. As mentioned in Aurelian's excellent read the original family name of Weissman when shortened, capitalized and combined with the word brothers was intended to be read as WEISBRO. However this marking was so often misread as WELSBRO that by 1930 it was trademarked as such. Succumbing to the quartz crisis sometime after 1970, Welsbro is today yet another of the many resurrected brands that have flourished over the last few years. Rich Reichbach, a vintage watch dealer and the entrepreneur behind the "Time Titans" online vintage watch store revived the Welsbro name after a half century of dormancy. Reichbach reportedly came across a 1940's Welsbro chronograph in an online auction and was immediately "smitten". Kudos to all those who ressurect a defunct brand with an eye to preserving at least some of it's heritage. The mid-century example in the pics has the uniform height WELSBRO marking that was used prior to the "peaked roof" style that was adopted before the closure of the company and that is in use again today. This potentially dates this vintage skin diver from the mid to late 60's. The caseback is marked WATER RESISTANT TESTED TO 150 FEET, SWISS MADE, INCABLOC and STAINLESS STEEL BACK. The last designation infers that all but the caseback is plated so it is fortunate that despite being well used none of the base metal has worn through with the exception of the crown. The gorgeously aged lume has by far my favorite hue of any in my vintage watch collection while the large 6, 9 and 12 hour markers is an attractive nod to the intended need for legibility. I also appreciate how the red second hand balances the red used on the date wheel, an "extra" yet functional design cue. Though the synthetic compass strap is nowhere near original to the watch, or era, I think it provides an overall romantic aesthetic that I find compelling in that amusing cosplay kind of way often associated with our fascination with tool watches. Do you own a Welsbro, either modern or vintage? Do you know more about the history of the Weissman Watch Company and the circumstances surrounding their 1970's closure? I'm always open to learning more and being schooled if I get any details wrong. A big thanks to Aurelian and the other like minded Crunchers attempting to make this more than just a "Show 'n Go" platform.