The Watches of Switzerland

 By Bruce Shawkey

Ran across this interesting little booklet detailing the history of Switzerland, with emphasis on the watch industry. Appears to have been published shortly after WWII, because there is a 1946 calendar, and various references to the war and to the "G.Is" and so forth. The booklet was presumably aimed at the American servicemen who were returning to the United States and perhaps laid over in Switzerland for awhile and maybe bought a watch. There are ads in the booklet from Doxa, Movado, Cyma, and others.

Of particular interest to me is a page telling servicemen what NOT to do while spending time in Switzerland, including:

* Don't carry firearms;

* Don't try cashing postal money orders or dealing in U.S. currency. To do so can result in Court Martial.

* Don't sell or barter in U.S. Army goods.

* Don't get drunk. It's a disgrace in Switzerland.

* Don't cross railroad tracks. Trains in  Switzerland are fast and silent.

There is also a list of "Do's," including:

* Be a gentleman and a soldier at all times.

* Always keep yourself neat.

* Wear your proper uniform. Be a credit to America and the Army.

There is information on the history of Switzerland and its various Cantons (districts) such as Zurich, Basel, Geneva, etc.

There is also information on postal rates: 20 cents for a postcard; letters with a weight up to 20 grams, 30 cents.

Telephone calls: approximately $12 for a three-minute call to New York. (That's about $200 in today's dollars)