Park W. Co. "The Racer Split" split-seconds stopwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c1910
This timing instrument is an open face manual-wind split-seconds stopwatch measuring 49 mm wide by 16 mm deep. Housed in a plain white metal case with a hinged back and snap-on bezel, it encloses a nickel three-quarter plate movement signed by Park W.
Switzerland. The white enamel dial features a 30-minute subsidiary register below 12 o'clock, paired central split-seconds hands, and inscriptions reading "The Racer", "Split", and "Swiss Made". It provides split-seconds timing, start, stop, flyback, and reset operations.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Stopwatch & timer
- Winding
- Manual wind
- Register
- 30 minute register
- Dimensions
- 49mm wide x 16mm deep
- Case signature
- Park W co Switzerland
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Dial inscription
- The Racer, Split, Swiss Made
- Movement signature
- Park W. Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Park W. Co.
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals for 5-minute intervals and a red 60 at the top. • Central coaxial split-seconds hands with distinctive looped counterpoises. • Subsidiary 30-minute counter positioned directly below 12 o'clock with red accent numeral 30. • Secondary push-piece located on the case band near the 10 o'clock position.
- Dial and Case Construction
- The timing instrument features a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals marking five-minute intervals and a red numeral 60 at the top. It has central coaxial split-seconds hands with looped counterpoises, together with a subsidiary 30-minute counter positioned directly below 12 o'clock accented with a red numeral 30. The dial is signed “The Racer, Split, Swiss Made”. The dial is housed in a white metal open-face case measuring 49 mm in width by 16 mm in depth, fitted with a plastic glass. The dealer description reports a hinged back cover, a snap-on bezel, a smooth plain finish, and an internal signature reading “Park W co Switzerland”. A secondary push-piece is visible on the case band near the 10 o'clock position.
- Dating and Source Inconsistencies
- The listing source presents conflicting chronological classifications. The item listing title designates the stopwatch as "c1910", whereas the structured metadata field classifies the period as "Mid 20th Century, Vintage (1970 onwards)". Neither specific calibre numbers nor movement serial numbers are recorded in the source text, leaving these conflicting date ranges unverified.
- Reported Movement and Timing Functions
- The seller describes the internal mechanism as a manual-wind, nickel three-quarter plate movement signed “Park W. Switzerland”. The unit operates as a timing device without traditional time-of-day indications, incorporating split-seconds, start, stop, flyback, and reset operations with a 30-minute register. The movement is not visible in the provided image due to the closed case back. The seller reports that the movement is protected by a bezel and plastic cover, noting that this protective cover is loose.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Source notes the protective plastic movement cover is loose.
- Research required: Contradiction in listing text between the title date of c1910 and metadata listing Mid 20th Century / Vintage.
- Research required: Rear case back interior and movement are not visible in the provided image.