Albersheim's 2015 January Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/24/2015
On December 8, 1940, George Halas' Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73-0 in the NFL Championship game at Griffith Stadium. To this day, it remains the most lopsided victory in NFL history. This was the 8th Championship game played in NFL history!
We are extremely proud to offer an extremely rare 1940 Chicago Bears World Championship wristwatch presented to halfback Bob Swisher for his participation in the NFL Championship game. This is the equivalent of a Super Bowl ring today. You must remember that not until the 1950’s did NFL team regularly award championship rings, as watches were the more popular choice of the day.
Bob Swisher (D. 1979) played College football for Northwestern and then spent five seasons with the Bears from 1938-41 with a long absence to serve in World War II. He also played for the Iowa Seahawks (a powerful Naval Pre-Flight School that had a powerhouse football program) where he was a teammate of Heisman Trophy winner, Tom Harmon. He returned to play for the Bears for one final season in 1945. He later went into coaching at Loyola University (Los Angeles) and at the Naval Air Station in Millington, TN.
The gold-colored Longines watch features an engraving of a football on the reverse, along with the engraved lettering "Chicago Bears/Bob E. Swisher/H/1940/World Champions." This is only the second 1940 Chicago Bears Championship watch we have ever seen. The first example, which was discovered in 2007 by an elderly woman while cleaning out her deceased husband's desk drawer, was later sold on eBay that same year, where it realized a final sales price of $8,100. NFL championship watches dating prior to 1950 are exceedingly rare!
The watch, which has a metal band, is in working order and displays light-to-moderate wear consistent with its age and former use. In Excellent to Mint condition overall.
Letter of Authenticity from Richard Albersheim.