A stunning piece of American history

This one of a kind Hamilton features the US Great Seal on the dial and Track 64 engraving indicating it was presented to the 1964 NCAA championship and was awarded to Bil Straub, the winner of the mens 5000m from West Point.

Straub is the lone male runner from Army to capture an NCAA championship, winning the 5,000-meter title in 1964, setting what was then a meet-record in a dead heat. At the time of his graduation in 1964, Straub held the record for every Army distance event, both indoors and outdoors. He won seven Heptagonal races and is the first Army runner to win the Heptagonal mile and two-mile runs with his sweep in 1963. He won five titles outdoor, including three successive championships, and two indoors. Straub earned nine varsity letters, three each in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field.

Yes, Bill Straub was a notable long-distance runner at West Point and was also a prominent member of the Army track and field team and enshrined in the Army Sports Hall of Fame in track and field and as well as cross country.

From West Point champion to Army officer to decorated combat veteran, William Jay Straub lived a life defined by achievement, leadership, courage and service.

And somehow, this little Hamilton watch was part of that story.

Brand: Hamilton

Model: “Army Track ’64”

Movement: Mechanical

Case: Stainless steel

Diameter: 33mm

Lug Width: 18mm

Lug-to-Lug: 39mm

Running well at -20 with a strong amplitude and in good, overall condition for its age.

About Hamilton: Producing their first pocket watches in Lancaster, PA as early as 1892, Hamilton watches are one of the most recognizable American watch brands. While they moved production of their watches to Switzerland in 1969, the American catalog of Hamilton watches is impressive. Recognizable models such as the Ventura, worn by Elvis Presley, and their WW2 military issue "Khaki" watches, Hamilton still enjoys a large presence in the market today.

We are so grateful to Nik Libby and his incredible team at the Watch Preserve in Fort Worth, Texas for their generosity with this donation.