Below is the September 26, 1931 newspaper photo of the original owner of this Patek Philippe Pocket Watch, Louis J Carruthers, President of the United States Lawn Tennis Association. 19 Year old H. Ellsworth Vines is presented the US Open trophy by Mr. Carruthers at the post-match awards ceremony after he defeated George M. Lott, Jr. 7-9, 6-3, 9-7, 7-5 in the national championship at Forest Hills, or US Open. Louis J Carruthers was far ahead of his time in advocating for open tennis in the 1930s, but other powers that be would not allow this for 40 more years! But after the mid-1930s this Carruthers seems to disappear! Please see the email message from legendary tennis historian Bud Collins.  We just found his NY Times obit (see far below).  Carruthers died on the birthday of the new watch owner, one year before he was born! There are some other oddities I will be sharing. How his watch ended up in my hands will await further research!   

From: Bud Collins
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 6:21 PM
To: John Murray
Subject: Re: tennis history question for Bud

John --

Thank you for your note.  i did some digging, finding not much of interest, but :   Louis J. Carruthers, born april 6, 1878, in brooklyn, graduate of columbia '99 where he played on the tennis team.  law school somewhere, became an attorney for the long island railroad.  a good looking man, nearly 6-ft, well-dressed at presentations.  as well as being prez USLTA, 1931-32, was the referee of the 1931 championships (not the u.s. open which didn't exist then). maybe  ref other years (seems unusual for the prez).  also prez west side tennis club, forest hills, 1923-24, presiding over the opening of the new stadium, 1923.  highly regarded, at least by editor of american lawn tennis mag.  also played squash.  don't know when he died or anything about the journey of the watch.   not much help, i'm afraid.  don't know if the timepiece was a tradition.  i must ask the next ex-USTA prez i see, if i remember.   glad to hear from you.  good luck sleuthing, bud