Re: Ingersoll watches - war time radio and instruments
Good point re different winding stem sizes; perhaps their clandestine 'radio and instruments' work relates to holders. Early 8-day aircraft and motor-car dashboard clocks had extended winding stems for gloved hands. Smiths RFC/RAF MkIV aircraft clocks had vulcanised rubber holders instead of the usual brass.
'Radiolite' does indeed relate to radium 227 zinc sulphide (?) luminous paint first used by Ingersoll in 1913; Ingersoll reckoned 85% of their war-time sales were luminous (said to have been much used by tank crews).
Post-WWII lngersoll marketed many Smiths-made clocks in addition to their joint AngloCeltic watches, well into the late 1970s when Smiths pulled out of time pieces altogether.
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