Lot # 1272: 1954 Baltimore Orioles Inaugural Year Team-Issued Player Wrist Watch

Recall a favorable MLB franchise relocation, with this 1954 Baltimore Orioles team-issued wrist watch. After more than a half-century of floundering at the far western frontier of Major League play, the St. Louis Browns packed up and moved east as the rebranded Baltimore Orioles. The change started out dismally, with a 54-100 record in 1954, however by 1960, the Orioles became contenders. They went on to the franchise's first ever World Series championship in 1966, and enjoyed great success through the 1983 season.

Hallmarked "I d" in a circle, this Orioles inaugural season watch is reported as a team-issued bonus, presented to the 1954 players, however no name has been engraved on the back. The face is adorned with the Orioles optimistic Bird mascot, perched on an Orioles lettered baseball, dated 1954. Etched into the back of the watch, is "Base Metal Bezel, Stainless Steel Back". The flex band is marked "Kreisler USA" on the back of nearly all links, while a link connected to the side of the watch is marked "1/20 - 10K GF Top, Stainless Bot.". Due to the absence of the knobs for winding and moving the hands, the watch face has shifted out of proper alignment, with the gold numeral 3 pointing at the 12 o'clock position. General light wear is noted, with little detraction to the pleasing appearance of this handsome timekeeper, which presents strong graphics on the face, and a gleaming gold-filled finish on the band.