US Military Watch Mugs

We were first introduced to the mugs, commonly referred to as “watch mugs”, in The Pacific, Ep. 2 as exhausted U.S. Marines leave Guadalcanal. The scene looks contrived, but it recreates a very real event likely repeated time and time again in the Pacific Theater as front line forces were relieved at long last and boarded US Navy ships for transport to a rear area for R&R. In the scene Leckie (Pfc. Robert Leckie) and his squad enter the galley of the ship and are served hot coffee in large handleless mugs. The scene is evocative as it so clearly depicts the incalculable value of those simple luxuries symbolic of safety and a shred of normalcy.

This scene took us down the rabbit hole of military coffee mugs to learn more. Versions of the design of the mug were in use from at least World War I. Supposedly (according to the Internet) the handleless mugs were used all the way until the beginning of the Vietnam conflict. Starting in the 1950s the military began phasing them out in favor of melamine. A number of companies made the ceramic mugs for the armed forces. The two most notable are Corning Glass Works and the Technical Porcelain and China Ware Company (aka “TEPCO”). It may be a coincidence or by design but Corning was based on the East Coast and TEPCO on the west coast in San Francisco seemingly well positioned for supplying forces stationed on each respective coast.

The Pyrex Messware[i] were made in Charleroi, Pennsylvania after Corning Glass Works merged with Macbeth-Evans Glass Company in 1936. Based on a version of Macbeth-Evans opal glass the new company developed it into tableware for the US military. The place settings were so durable that Sgt. Harvey Littleton, son of the original Pyrex inventor, would famously bet his army buddies a $1 that he could throw the dishware against a wall without it breaking. It would be fun to know how much he

cleared with that racket.

Corning	TEPCO
Unattributed	The 1917 Centennial Watch Mug

TEPCO was founded by Italian immigrant John Pagliero in 1918 in his backyard. The San Francisco based company made tableware for the commercial market and later the US military. The commercial tableware earned a place as a durable staple in restaurants in the Bay area and beyond. With the Richmond Shipyard nearly in TEPCO’s backyard, TEPCO supplied tableware to every ship that launched from Richmond[ii] as well as many of the ships sailing from San Francisco. All told, the company manufactured approximately 30,000[iii] pieces a day for the US Navy during World War II.  

Despite the staggeringly large volume of TEPCO tableware made during the war, today their watch mugs are relatively rare and command a premium over all other versions. The Corning mugs are easier to find and can be had for 50-60% less than the TEPCO equivalents at the time of publication. Maybe at the end of the day the Pyrex Messware was indeed significantly more durable than chinaware. Or perhaps TEPCO collectors are more active in general. Or maybe the fact that the company was closed down and the factory demolished in 1968 drives part of the interest. TEPCO’s connection to the Pacific fleet also can’t be ignored amongst the factors playing a part in the premiums they command. In any event it seems more likely that tableware used in the Pacific theater during WWII would most likely have been manufactured by TEPCO. During times of hardship and uncertainty both versions are a reminder of those that have endured greater hardships and pushed through to better days. That reminder and perspective make them a treasured part of our collection that helps us recognize the big issues and appreciate the small things each morning. 

For those interested in a watch mug, but not interested in the vintage route, Glass Beach Mugs is a veteran owned and founded company making replicas in West Virginia with proceeds to benefit Marine veteran’s and their families in need. We've been using ours for while now and it's a thoroughly satisfying addition to our routine, and a reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures.