My Historic (Kinda) Great Aunt’s Hamilton Watch
Please help me identify this watch that belonged to my great aunt, Mary Webb Nicholson. Thinking it’s a 987 Ladies' Tonneau and maybe because of her aviation history had the dial reset to be sideways. Is it crazy to think this could be a one off sideways dial from Hamilton? Let me know your guys thoughts!
(History)
She was the first woman licensed pilot in the state of North Carolina. She set the light plane altitude record for the state in 1931 when she flew a Curtiss-Wright Junior airplane to 15,200 feet. She became a charter member of The 99's International Organization of Women Pilots when it was formed in 1929. Amelia Earhart appointed her to serve as Governor of the Southeastern Section of The 99's in 1932.
Mary was instrumental in helping Jacqueline Cochran set up a group of American women pilots to ferry airplanes for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in England during World War II. She herself was thrilled to join the last group of women pilots who went over to participate in the war effort.
22nd May 1943 - Shortly after being promoted to Second Officer, Mary was ferrying a Miles Master when, due to mechanical difficulties, the propeller flew off her plane over Worcestershire County. In poor weather conditions, she made an emergency landing in a farm field. Unable to avoid hitting a farm building, Mary's plane crashed and burst into flames. A nearby farmer attempted, unsuccessfully, to rescue her. She was the only American woman in the ATA-RAF to lose her life in the war.