Theodore Roosevelt Jr.: The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree
June 6, 1944: D-Day: Utah Beach. Many of the GIs fighting on the beach that day witnessed something extraordinary, a solitary figure walking upright across the sand, cane in one hand and pistol in the other, directing men forward, leading them over the seawall and inland, all while under fire from the Germans.
The cane was not for show, for this soldier had been wounded in combat over 25 years earlier in World War I, an injury which had contributed to his arthritis. Those who came closest to this man would also have noted signs of his age: the wrinkled cheeks and the creased eyes.
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Time Business News
2 days ago
- Time Business News
Why Vintage Watches Were Smaller — And Why That Still Matters
In today's world of oversized divers, hulking chronographs, and statement pieces that stretch past 45 mm, picking up a vintage men's watch from the mid-20th century can feel… surprising. A 33 mm case? For many, that might seem closer to a child's watch than a man's. And yet, from the 1930s to the 1960s, this size wasn't unusual. It was the standard . So what happened? Why were watches smaller for so long, and what does that say about design, culture, and our evolving expectations? Let's rewind. Before the 20th century, men didn't wear wristwatches. Timekeeping was handled by pocket watches — thick, hefty, and often ornately engraved. Wrists were considered a feminine domain. A man pulled his time from his vest pocket. That changed during World War I. Soldiers needed a way to check the time quickly without fumbling with a chain. The solution? Strapping pocket watch movements to leather bands and wearing them on the wrist. These field-expedient 'trench watches' became standard issue. From this wartime necessity came a new norm: the wristwatch. For the first time, men embraced timepieces worn visibly — but early designs had to remain compact, both for practicality and engineering reasons. From the 1920s through the 1960s, a typical men's watch measured between 31 and 36 mm. Today that may seem small, but back then, it was all about proportional design. Think about wrist anatomy. The average male wrist measures around 18.5 cm in circumference. The flat top of the wrist — where the watch sits — is approximately 30 mm wide. So a 34 mm watch? Perfectly centered, sleek, and unobtrusive. At the time, a wristwatch wasn't designed to dominate your outfit. It was a complement — a subtle detail, like a pocket square or cufflinks. The goal wasn't to stand out, but to complete the look. And in this, vintage watches excelled. Consider the Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 96, released in 1932 at just 31 mm. Or the Rolex Datejust, which launched in 1945 at what was then a bold 36 mm. These were not small watches — they were proportionate watches. Even utilitarian pieces stuck to the formula. The U.S. Army A-11 was just 32 mm. The original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, considered one of the first true dive watches, came in at 37 mm. And when Yuri Gagarin made history as the first man in space in 1961, he was wearing a 33 mm Sturmanskie. There was a practical reason behind all this modesty. Watchmaking in the early 20th century was still perfecting miniaturization. Taking a pocket watch movement and adapting it for the wrist meant downsizing components without compromising performance. A smaller case forced movement makers to be efficient — and that efficiency became a badge of honor. Self-winding mechanisms and complications like chronographs did push cases slightly larger — into the 36 to 38 mm range — but anything over 40 mm was almost unheard of. One notable exception, the IWC Portuguese from 1939, measured 43 mm. But that was only because it used a full pocket-watch movement. It was the outlier, not the trend. Flash forward to the late 1990s and early 2000s. Suddenly, the fashion world embraced big . Watches exploded in size: 42 mm, 45 mm, even 48 mm cases became not just acceptable, but desirable. A combination of things. Fashion became more maximalist. Marketing campaigns celebrated bold, statement-making pieces. And celebrity culture took over: Stallone wore Panerai, Schwarzenegger partnered with Audemars Piguet, Jay-Z championed Hublot. Bigger was bolder. And bolder sold. Watch brands responded. Panerai's 44 mm Luminor became an icon. The Royal Oak Offshore hit 42 mm and kept growing. Rolex released the Deepsea Sea-Dweller — 44 mm wide and nearly 18 mm thick. For a while, bigger meant better. And yes, some technical watches needed more space — for helium escape valves, multi-day power reserves, or flyback chronographs. But often, the extra size was mostly empty. Tiny quartz movements floated inside oversized steel. Still, the appeal was obvious: oversized watches demanded attention. They didn't whisper sophistication. They shouted wealth, power, and presence. But over time, the novelty wore off. Oversized watches began to feel impractical. Heavy. Top-heavy. Impossible to wear under a shirt cuff. And more importantly, they didn't fit. Collectors started to rediscover vintage watches. Not just for their history or patina — but for how they wore . A 34 mm Seamaster sat perfectly on the wrist. A 36 mm Datejust slid under a cuff effortlessly. People realized: small watches weren't outdated. They were refined . In 2017, Paul Newman's personal Rolex Daytona sold for $17.8 million. It was just 37 mm. In a world obsessed with massive chronographs, that was a reminder: size isn't everything. Fashion followed. Men's style leaned retro — looser tailoring, vintage influence, elegant silhouettes. Suddenly, a massive diver didn't quite match your tweed sport coat. The industry responded. Tudor launched the Black Bay Fifty-Eight at 39 mm. Omega reissued its 1957 trilogy — Speedmaster, Seamaster, Railmaster — in vintage proportions. Even Cartier, Longines, and Breitling embraced smaller cases. And on the red carpet, actors like Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi, and Timothée Chalamet began wearing vintage watches under 36 mm. In 2025, Chalamet famously wore two 33 mm Cartier Tanks on the same wrist — and made it look fresh. Today, the stigma around small watches is gone. You can wear a 36 mm Explorer I, a 33 mm Omega De Ville, or a 34 mm Poljot and still be the most stylish person in the room. Size no longer defines masculinity or fashion sense. Vintage watches are proof: elegance doesn't have to be loud. Sometimes the most powerful presence is the quietest one. At Dumarko, we've always believed in balance. Proportion. Wearability. Our collection celebrates the 31–36 mm range because we know that a truly great watch isn't about dominating the wrist. It's about belonging on it. And once you wear one, you might just realize — small isn't a compromise. It's the legacy of timeless design. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Historic Matching Gift Will Support Fundraising for a New Canadian D-Day Monument on Juno Beach and Usher in a New Era for Canada's Second World War Legacy
TORONTO, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Juno Beach Centre Association (JBCA) is proud to announce a historic opportunity for Canadians to help shape the future of remembrance. Thanks to the generous support of Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. and Lysander Funds Ltd., the next $1 million raised for the JBCA's $12.5 million Capital Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar — supporting the creation of a Canadian D-Day Monument and investing in the Juno Beach Centre's bold new vision. In 2022, Canadians, outraged at the condominium development on Juno Beach, helped us win an important victory by speaking out against the enormous insult to the memory of our soldiers. This victory now makes it possible that a monument dedicated to all Canadians who lost their lives on D-Day be established on that former battlefield. The future Canadian D-Day Monument will be the first of its kind: a permanent tribute on Juno Beach featuring the names of all 381 Canadian soldiers and aircrew who were killed on June 6, 1944 during the Allied invasion of Normandy. While Canada has commemorated D-Day in many ways, there is currently no single monument on Juno Beach listing all their names, a void this new initiative will fill. 'Three years ago, thousands of Canadians stepped up to help us preserve the Juno Beach Centre and the sanctity of Juno Beach from a condo development. Now, at a time when Canadian patriotism is at a peak, we call upon Canadians to support the creation of a monument to permanently honour the nearly 400 Canadians who fell in the spearhead that eventually defeated Nazi Germany and restored freedom to millions,' said Alex Fitzgerald-Black, Executive Director of the Juno Beach Centre Association. The monument is the centrepiece of a renewed commitment to stewardship of heritage lands, as the Juno Beach Centre evolves into a living memorial that reflects not only Canada's past, but its duty to future generations. The Centre's Capital Campaign supports three pillars: Preserving and stewarding sacred ground Leading in sustainability and visitor experience Inspiring through education and remembrance The matching campaign was launched during JBCA's June 6th 'Honour the Past – Protect the Future' event in Toronto, featuring keynote historian Marc Milner, moderation by J'Lyn Nye, RCAF Honorary Colonel, and two living Second World War veterans — Major Jim Parks and Private William Seifried — who served as living reminders of the stories we must preserve. The event also celebrated a $100,000 launch gift from the Arthur J.E. Child Foundation, the first major contribution toward the matched funds. QUOTES The $1 million matching gift from our partners at Canso and Lysander in support of the new D-Day monument is more than a donation, it's a transformational investment in the future of the Juno Beach Centre. With a strong start from the Arthur J.E. Child Foundation, this campaign is gaining real momentum. These generous commitments remind us that remembrance is a shared responsibility. With the match in place, there has never been a more impactful time to support Canada's museum on the D-Day landing beaches.—Chris LaBossiere, President, Juno Beach Centre Association We are proud to support the Juno Beach Centre in preserving Canada's legacy of service and sacrifice. This matching gift is our way of honouring the past while inspiring future generations to remember the values our Veterans fought for.—Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. and Lysander Funds Ltd. CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT Sal Falk sal@ Outreach & Interpretation Coordinator
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Funeral celebrates life of much-loved D-Day veteran
The funeral of one of the last survivors of the assault on the D-Day beaches in 1944 has been held at Wiltshire crematorium. Cecil Newton, from the village of Aldbourne and died at the age of 101, was 20 years old on D-Day when he was part of a tank crew sent to attack a German blockhouse. His amphibious Sherman Tank was among the first to land on Gold Beach on 6 June. Described as "feisty, driven, a little bit mischievous", he was involved in the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations, and even had a French school named after him. Major Graeme Green, the regimental secretary for the Royal Dragoon Guards, described Mr Newton as a "great guy" who always had a "little glint in his eye". He added that Mr Newton was "driven to commemorate his fallen comrades". At the funeral earlier at North Wiltshire Crematorium, near Royal Wootton Bassett, a message was played from the Cecil Newton Primary School in Normandy. Mr Newton was a trooper in the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and a loader in an amphibious Sherman Tank crew. "I was never nervous. I was too young to be nervous. I hadn't got the imagination," he said in a BBC interview about D-day. Along with his crew, he was in action for just a few moments. "It was just off the landing craft into the water, an engagement with the blockhouse and then we sank," he said. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Later in the war, in November 1944, he was severely wounded with a leg injury and was shot three times when his tank came under attack in a German village. He described himself as "exceptionally lucky to survive" the later attack. Amongst those he knew who died in the war was Mr Newton's brother Frederic - shot dead by two Germans who raised their hands to surrender, but then opened fire. In June 2024, Mr Newton travelled back to France to take part in the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations. He also visited a French school named after him and some of the places his comrades fell in battle. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. D-Day veteran Cecil Newton dies aged 101 D-Day veteran says friends' sacrifice a 'waste of life'
