High drama at the Smithsonian. High drama at the Smithsonian. A screwdriver in his careful hands, wearing a pair of jeweler's goggles, master watchmaker George Thomas puts a historical mystery to rest after almost 150 years: Did a watch repairman really engrave a secret message on Abraham Lincoln's watch the day the Civil War began? Abraham Lincoln's watch at the Smithsonian Museum has been rumored to carry a secret message, allegedly written by Jonathan Dillon. On NBC’s Today Show, working with magnifying glasses and precise instruments, George Thomas, finally opened the back to reveal the underside of the watch movement.

"The moment of truth has come," he said. "Is there or is there not an inscription?"

George hands the watch to the great-great grandson of Jonathan Dillon to do the honors. The inscription read, "Jonathan Dillon April 13 - 1861 Fort Sumpter was attacked by the rebels on the above date J Dillon April 13-1861 Washington thank God we have a government Jonth Dillon."

The George Chatterton Company today announces the release of the Lincoln Watch to bring history’s mystery to life today. They have painstakingly recreated the design of the dial and position of the small second hand and they have even replicated the mysterious engraving on the back of the movement. The design of the hands is especially rare. The movement employs vintage-styled manual winding with 20 jewels and the case is 14k gold-fused and matches the color of the original exactly.

The original has been in the safe custody of the Smithsonian Institution since 1958, but you can own your own Lincoln watch made by George Chatterton with the secret inscription from history. America’s fascination with Lincoln is exceedingly high in 2009, the 200th anniversary of his birth. The George Chatterton Watch Company has set a strict limited edition and Stauer is the only place that you can find this piece of history.