Sgt. Paul A. Meyer, USAF, and His Benrus Watch

Vintage Benrus Watch, Men's Shock-Absorber Mechanical Wind USAF Military Engraved USAF Sgt. Paul A. Meyer, with Serial Number, Rare Historic

As you perhaps know, I have been collecting vintage wrist watches for the better part of a decade.  I have enjoyed this hobby a lot, and learned a lot about watches.  Some watch collectors prefer it if the watches do not have any form of personalization on the back, in other words, no engraving of the original owner's name or initials.  I am not one of those collectors.  In fact, I like doing the background research about the person who once wore the watch, and learning about their lives.  Oftentimes, it makes history come alive in a special way for me.  This watch did that.

It is one of the most interesting watches I have come across... This watch belonged originally to a USAF sergeant, whose life story and the mystery surrounding it is quite fascinating. The short version is this:

In the wee hours of May 23, 1969, USAF Sgt. Paul A. Meyer stole a C-130E military aircraft and took off from an RAF base in Mildenhall, England. He was scheduled for leave in a month, but had requested and been denied an earlier leave. Reportedly, following a night of drinking, boisterous behavior, house arrest, and several escapes, he took flight, never to be seen again. Parts of the plane, and then later, the plane's life raft, were discovered soon thereafter. Paul was 23 years old, had served two tours of duty in Vietnam, was a new husband of 8 months, and the stepfather of three darling children he called his babies.

Fast forward fifty years.  Just this past year (2019), the wreckage of the plane was found, by Grahame Knott of Deeper Dorset. Salvage efforts are underway.  Mysteries remain.

You can read more on line at: Plane Stolen by Homesick US Airman Found After 50 Years.

And more about Deeper Dorset's search for and ultimate discovery of the Hercules plane, here:  Deeper Dorset Search for Paul Meyer

From Deeper Dorset: "By far and away the biggest and most complex project we have ever taken on it became all consuming over more than ten years. To date we have found what is left of the aircraft something thought by many to be an impossible task and we are in touch with folks all around the globe as we slowly piece together this unbelievable tale that has remained a mystery for fifty years."

Here are some details about the Benrus Watch's original design, and condition.  It is currently in need of repair. But well worth it, due to its history!  Size: 33 mm wide by 38 mm lug to lug.  Furnished with a Roma genuine lizard strap.  Benrus Watch, men's military style from the 1960's, with a champagne dial, arrowhead and numeral hour markers, lume style hands, red sweep second hand, in a chunky stainless steel case. Case model number is: 664765. The watch is professionally engraved on the back: Paul A. Meyer, AF17326639 USAF.

Please note, I came across this watch doing a general search for vintage men's Benrus watches, in February of 2020, on eBay.  It was listed there simply as a military watch, with no background information regarding the original owner. However, the photos were very good.  And when I read the engraving on the photo of the back, I did the research about the name that appears on it. All of the information about Paul A. Meyer and his last flight, and the search for the plane, were there for me to see.  It was so fascinating a story to me, that I was eager to obtain the watch. Presumably, this was not on Sgt. Meyer's wrist at the time he took his final flight.  His stepson, whom I located and talked with, had no prior knowledge of the watch.  There are more questions than answers, but even so, the watch has an incredible backstory.

UPDATE: THIS WATCH IS GOING HOME TO PAUL'S FAMILY. Through old message boards on line, I was able to connect with them, and am so glad to be able to give it to them. Paul's watch is going home.  What a happy ending to this part of the story!