Unraveling Mystery of JFK's Clock: A Retired Watchmaker's Investigative Journey into the Past

In the captivating universe of horology, treasures occasionally surface bearing enigmatic stories. One such tale, captured in Daniel Miller’s article for the L.A. Times, delves into a retired watchmaker’s decades-long investigation into a unique timepiece and its potential connection to President John F. Kennedy.

Meet Bill Anderson, a 95-year-old retired watchmaker from Oregon, whose horological quest began on eBay in 1999. He discovered a distinctive Chelsea Clock, a brass ‘Chelsea Comet’ desk clock intriguingly engraved with the initials ‘J.F.K.’ The craftsmanship drew his attention but sparked a curiosity around the possibility that this could have been John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s clock. Consequently, Anderson embarked on an investigative journey fuelled more by fascination and the potential to contribute to legacy rather than financial gain.

The tale serves as an inspiring testament of one man’s obsession-driven quest to decipher the origin of an exquisite piece of horology. Remarkably, all it took was an initial breadcrumb, a unique clock from eBay, and an unwavering spirit of discovery.