The architect of the Republic of Turkey and leader of the War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was saved by a small pocket watch he acquired during his military academy days. On August 10, 1915, at one of the most critical moments of the Gallipoli Campaign, this watch, worn by Atatürk on his chest, changed the course of history by deterring the deadly impact of a bullet. It became known as the "Atatürk Watch Incident" and is considered a turning point in Türkiye's struggle for independence.
Mustafa Kemal acquired this watch during his time at the military academy. At the time, this watch, seemingly a simple tool for keeping track of time, became a symbol that saved the life of the leader who would change Türkiye's destiny in later years. Performing a miracle on the Gallipoli front, on the brink of death, the watch enabled Mustafa Kemal to continue his leadership journey. This critical event had a profound impact on the path leading to the founding of the Republic of Turkey. Atatürk's watch has gained value not only as a timekeeper but also as a piece of history that bears witness to the resurrection of a nation.
Çanakkale and Shrapnel Pieces
Çanakkale has gone down in history as the site of some of the bloodiest clashes of World War I, a city where the fate of the Turkish nation was determined. When Britain and France attacked by sea and land to capture this impenetrable city, Mustafa Kemal Pasha captured attention with his first military success in Tripoli. The fighting, which began on April 25, 1915, also yielded stories of heroism by the Turkish military. Fighting at Çanakkale without receiving any orders, Mustafa Kemal repelled the enemy for months, becoming a leader who shaped the nation's future in the process.
Çanakkale was not only a military victory, but also a symbol that revitalized the nation's spirit. The battles at Conkbayırı on August 10, 1915, were part of a period in which Turkish soldiers suffered wounds that would never heal. Çanakkale has become a symbol of heroism and sacrifice, overflowing with the memories of those who fought. Mustafa Kemal, who achieved countless successes throughout his career, is etched in the memory of the Turkish nation with the epic he wrote here. Following these conflicts throughout history, Çanakkale serves as a reminder once again of the importance of peace and freedom.
Çanakkale is not just a battlefield; it symbolizes the rebirth of a nation. What happened here demonstrated the resolve and courage of the Turkish nation to the entire world. The memories left in the city will never be forgotten and will always be cherished.
In August 1915, as the fighting at Chunuk Bair reached its most intense moments, a piece of shrapnel hurtled toward its target. When the bullet struck him squarely in the chest, the watch he carried in his pocket saved him from death. The shattered watch left only a slight scar. If that watch hadn't been there, how would history have been written? Could Türkiye's struggle for independence, the birth of the Republic, and the revolutions that shaped the nation's future have occurred? That moment wasn't limited to the breaking of a watch; it also changed the fate of a nation.
Atatürk, who shared his battlefield experiences and clashes with the enemy with Ruşen Eşref at his home in Şişli Akaretler between 24-28 March 1918, particularly described the battles that took place in Conkbayırı on 10 August 1915 with the following words:
A Moment of Destiny at Conkbayırı: Mustafa Kemal's Memories Engraved in Our Minds
In the final days of March 1918, while Ruşen Eşref was chatting with Mustafa Kemal Pasha at his home in Şişli Akaretler, he asked him to recount the unforgettable Battle of Conkbayırı on August 10, 1915. With a dignified and calm expression, the Pasha began his account, reliving that critical day in his mind's eye.
The Command to Attack and the Symbol of Courage
Mustafa Kemal took his place in the front lines on the battlefield, alongside his commanders. Turning to his soldiers, he told them that the enemy was preparing to flee, but they would not allow it. Boosting his troops' morale with his determination and command, the Pasha raised his whip and ordered them to attack at the signal. After advancing only a few or ten paces, when he gave the awaited signal, the Turkish soldiers charged forward with unwavering courage and unwavering courage. They advanced upon the enemy with overwhelming force, and this sudden attack caught them completely off guard and crushed them.
Fire Tornado in Chunuk Bair
When the battle ended, the sky still bore the scars of the fighting. The enemy had been forced to retreat, but had transformed Chunuk Bair into an inferno. Heavy artillery fire from sea and land created explosions that lit up the sky like lightning. The battlefield shook with artillery fire that never ceased.
Captain Cevat Abbas Gürer, who listened to these moments with great attention, said in a voice that broke the silence:
"One of those shrapnel marbles must have caressed Pasha's chest!"
Upon hearing these words, Ruşen Eşref asked in astonishment:
"How?"
Mustafa Kemal Pasha was playing with the rosary in his hand at the time. Cevat Bey approached with firm steps and continued his story:
"During the thick of the battle, while the Pasha was watching our advancing soldiers, he felt something hit his chest with great force."
Pasha added calmly:
"I noticed a bullet hole in my jacket on the right side. The late Nuri Conker, who was next to me, immediately said, 'Sir, you've been shot!' But I thought about how spreading such news could affect the morale of our soldiers. I covered his mouth with my hand and told him to 'Shut up.'"
Cevat Bey continued by detailing that moment:
A shrapnel piece hit the Pasha in the right chest, right in the pocket where his watch was. The watch shattered, but the piece left only a slight mark on the Pasha's chest. If it hadn't been for the watch, the blow could have done much more damage.
Ruşen Eşref asked excitedly:
"This watch is a historical keepsake for you. Can I see it?"
Mustafa Kemal Pasha replied with a slight smile:
"Liman Pasha took the wreckage of that watch as a souvenir of this war. He also gave me a watch bearing his family crest."
Cevat Bey showed him the Pasha's new watch, which he carried with him: a noble Omega watch with a crown and the letters "LZ" engraved on the back. Mustafa Kemal's broken watch, however, was a sturdy student watch he had carried since his Military Academy years.
There was another souvenir: Cevat Bey also displayed a Zenith bracelet watch, given to him by a young lieutenant who was with the Pasha at that critical moment.
This moment once again demonstrated Mustafa Kemal's unwavering will, his leadership skills, and his devotion to his soldiers, even in the midst of battle. One hour at Conkbayırı changed not only time but also the destiny of a nation.
The Story of Atatürk's Watch and Omega's Advertising Strategy
Life-Saving Clock in Chunuk Bair
Mustafa Kemal Pasha was saved from being wounded by a bullet at Conkbayırı during the Gallipoli Campaign thanks to his pocket watch. Just days after this incident, Mustafa Kemal presented his broken watch to German commander Liman von Sanders Pasha. In return, Liman Pasha gave him his own family heirloom.
Those Chasing the Omega Watch
Years later, an intriguing report appeared in the Yeni Asır newspaper on January 17, 1939. According to the report, one of Switzerland's most renowned watch factories had commissioned a representative to find the watch that saved Atatürk's life during the Gallipoli Campaign. Investigations revealed that this watch had been gifted to Liman von Sanders Pasha, and that the items had been auctioned off after his death. It was claimed that the watch had been purchased for a substantial sum by an American collector. The company had offered a 2,000-lira reward to anyone who could help find the watch.
Peyami Safa's Comment: Advertisement or Respect?
This incident resonated widely in the press. Peyami Safa wrote an article on the subject in the Cumhuriyet newspaper on January 18, 1939. In his article, he asked: “Is the Swiss watch factory making this offer to commemorate Atatürk or to advertise the watch's durability?”
Omega's November 10th Ad
This debate continued for years. On November 10, 1966, the anniversary of Atatürk's death, a Swiss watchmaker published an advertisement in Milliyet newspaper. The ad emphasized that the watch that saved Atatürk's life during the Gallipoli Campaign was an Omega brand and included the following statement:
“Omega bows in respect before the immortal memory of Great Atatürk and feels eternal honor and pride in this historical event.”
Criticism of İlhan Selçuk
This ad was harshly criticized by İlhan Selçuk, a prominent journalist of the time. In his column in Cumhuriyet newspaper, he stated:
As can be seen, the foreign watch company has become fiercely pro-Atatürk. On November 10th, they did not hesitate to exploit Atatürk's love by giving large sums of money to newspapers.
The Fate of the Lost Watch
The fate of Atatürk's famous watch remains unknown. Liman von Sanders, who left Istanbul on January 29, 1919, took the watch to Germany. However, the manner in which the items changed hands after his death has not been definitively documented. While claims persist that the watch is in the hands of an American collector, some sources claim it is lost.
Commercial Ethics and Historical Values
Is it ethical to exploit Atatürk's name for commercial gain? Was Omega's advertising campaign an attempt to exploit Atatürk's love, or was it an effort to honor his memory? These debates have raged for years, but the fate of the missing watch remains a mystery.
