This wonderful Empire-style French Pillar Clock, circa 1820-1860, has such a regal appearance that it is joy to behold. The porcelain dial is carefully adorned with hand painted floral garlands fired into the porcelain surrounding the chapters. Is is quite dramatic. This theme is repeated with the gilded gadroon that is draped between the two innermost pillars. Gilded caps surmount the pillars and the gilding is repeated on the urn finial, the base ornament, and the gilded feet. These French movements usually strike on a bell, as does this one, plus they are highly precise. If you wish to have an elegant clock for your mantle, this may be the one for you! All of our clocks are warrantied for one-year for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
By 1838, brass clock movements had been introduced to replace the wooden and cast iron movements that were the standard of the day. Then, in 1844, metal dealer Anson Greene Phelps formed the Ansonia Brass Co. in Connecticut, to supply the expanding clock business with brass sheet goods. In 1850, the Ansonia Clock Company was formed as a subsidiary of the Ansonia Brass Company by Phelps and clockmakers, Theodore Terry and Franklin C. Andrews. Terry & Andrews were the largest clock manufacturers in Bristol, with more than 50 employees using 58 tons of brass in the production of about 25,000 clocks, circa 1849. Phelps decided to get into the clockmaking business to expand the market for his brass, while Terry and Andrews got access to better quality brass at better prices. They then sold 50% of their business to Phelps, and moved the business to Ansonia, Conn. By 1877, the Ansonia Clock company acquired a factory in New York, and moved the lion's share of their production there after it was spun off from the brass company. Henry J. Davies of Brooklyn, himself a clockmaker, inventor, and case designer, joined the newly reconstituted company as one of its founders. As President, he is thought to be largely responsible for the figurine clocks, swinging clocks and other unusual and novel clocks for which Ansonia became known.
A little known fact: the inventor, Thomas Edison, visited the factory in 1878 to experiment combining clocks with his newly developed phonograph. But the experiments proved unsuitable.
By 1879, a second factory opened in Brooklyn, N.Y. and by June 1880, Ansonia was employing 360 workers, while the Connecticut factory continued producing clocks as well with a work force of 100 men and 25 women. Hence, clocks marked "Connecticut" were generally produced before 1879, while those marked "New York" were all produced after 1880.
Alas, the New York factory burnt down in 1880 - with the reported loss to be $750,000 with only $395,000 insured. Like the proverbial Phoenix arising from the ashes, Ansonia rebuilt the factory on the same site, reopening the expanded factory in 1881, with capacity to exceed that of the Connecticut factory - which closed completely in 1883. By 1886, the company had sales offices in New York, Chicago and London, with more than 225 different clock models being manufactured. The prosperous and debt-free Ansonia Clock Company reported having an inventory worth $600,000 and receivables valued at $250,000. No small feat at that time. By 1904 Ansonia added non-jeweled watches to their line and produced an estimated 10 million of these by 1929.
Here we have one of the most popular Ansonia China Clocks, with their famous "Exposed Escapement." Royal Bonn made the cases for these clocks and they are simply splendid. Combined with the high quality of Ansonia's movement, you have a clock that you can't beat. The clock is an 8-day, time and strike (on a coiled gong) with a brass "Egg & Dart" bezel a double sunk dial, and the fabulous "Exposed Escapement" just below the 12 o'clock position. As the clock ticks, you can see two ruby pallet stones moving back and forth just under the 12 o'clock position on the dial. They are interacting with the escape wheel teeth and parsing the passing seconds with great precision. It is fascinating to observe. Our head clockmaker has it winding, running, and keeping time just as it did back in the late 1890s. Couple this with our famous one-year warranty, for parts and labor, and you have an unbeatable combination!
Movado is a Swiss manufacturer probably best known for its "Museum Watch". Designed in 1947 by Bauhaus-influenced artist Nathan George Horwitt, the watch dial has a very simple design defined by a solitary dot at 12, symbolizing the sun at high noon, but Movado also made some very nice solid gold dress watches that are of superior quality...and this is one of those. It is an 18k solid gold gentleman's wristwatch that is "chronometer" rated, indicating that it has passed rigorous standards for accuracy. It is, in fact, at the pinnacle of mechanical watches in a world where few qualify for this mark.
Some Movado watch models had Esperanto names such as Bela ("beautiful"), Belamodo ("beautiful fashion"), Fiero ("pride"), Brila ("brilliant"), and Linio ("line"). The company's name itself means "movement" in Esperanto. This model's name probably has a simpler origin: "King" for being top-of-the-line in terms of case material and movement precision, and "matic" for the automatic winding feature.
This Movado has the high grade 28 jewel "Kingmatic S" movement with the model name just above the 6 o'clock position indicating that it is an automatic (self-winding) watch. The case, which measures 34 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 40 mm lug to lug, by 9.5 mm thick (including the crystal), is a beauty to behold. To gild the lily, we have fitted it with a luxurious, medium brown, genuine lizard band that really suits it. Here is a solid gold watch, in a nice size case that is a top quality performer for a very reasonable price when you compare modern watches of the same quality but at twice the price. Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence.
This French desk clock and inkwell combination, by Bonnet & Pottier, is just stunning. The black marble base is naturally streaked with wonderful tan incursions that give the marble a wonderful look. The clock has a porcelain dial that exhibits hand-painted gadroons that arch from one chapter to another. This is contrasted by the Louis XIV gold hands which are artfully pierced and indicate the time opposite Arabic numerals. The movement is an eight jewel, balance wheel movement that is running like the proverbial top. It measures 18" long, by 7" wide, by 10" tall. The top of the clock is ornamented by two cavorting gilded birds and the base is flanked by twin inkwells with hinged tops. This would be a lovely piece to grace your desk. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with complete confidence.
The English Fusee Gallery Clock is a Classic and this is one of the nicest ones we have ever had the pleasure to own. It measures 16" in diameter, by 7" deep. These clocks were used in many public places and the pendulum was kept hidden inside of the case so that it could not be easily tampered with nor would it be a distraction. If you are not familiar with the concept of the "Fusee," try to imagine a short cone with a grooved track that starts at the base of the cone and then in one continuous track ascends to the top of the cone. This was a very clever device that allowed a very even power distribution from fully wound to almost wound down. The mainsprings that were being made at this time, circa 1870, were not capable of delivery an even amount of power to the movement over the course of a week. The clock would run faster when fully wound-up, and slower as the spring lost power over the course of 7 days. To circumvent this problem the mainspring barrel had a tiny chain (made like a bicycle chain) that wrapped around the outside of the barrel (the housing for the mainspring). When the clock was wound the chain was pulled off the barrel and on to the "Fusee" cone, with the first windings taking up the biggest diameter of the cone. Once fully wound, the spring would exert a force around the smallest diameter of the cone, but as the mainspring lost power it would pull across an increasingly larger and larger diameter of the cone, thereby getting a mechanical advantage and delivering very even power for an entire week. Very clever...No? This is one of the reasons that these clocks are of interest today. Pocket watches of the era had the same mechanism in them for the same reason. As steel became more readily available and with better composition the power issues were a thing of the past. This is interesting if you are into mechanical things as we are but the clock has such great panache that its presence really overshadows the mechanical aspects. I think it is the silvered dial that is inlaid with fired enamel that makes the statement loud and clear! The fact that the maker's name "I. Wynn" is a homophone and a desirable victory cry just makes me smile. This particular maker hailed from Windsor and I'm sure caught the attention of the royal family due to the exceptional quality of his clocks. The clock is fully restored and warrantied for one year. If you are looking for a really nice fusee then this may be the one for you! Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to purchase with complete confidence.
It isn't often that we come across such a nice example of a French wall clock, but even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then. The three-dimensional carving on the case is just spectacular and every other element just adds to the drama. The central lion's head protrudes from the case just above the 12 o'clock position as though it were leaping out of the case itself. The "wing-like" finials and overtopping urn shape add to the overall effect and are balanced by the wonderful treatment at the case bottom. The chapters are porcelain cartouches that really make the dial easy to read and are quite dramatic. The gilded hands are pierced to give them an elegant appearance and a nice contrast against the walnut dial. The entire façade of this great timepiece is hinged to open like a book so that the owner can gain access to the movement and the pendulum. As you articulate the façade the dial remains in place as the façade moves away for access. The entire case is French walnut and is executed in the grand style of an 1870s gallery clock. The movement is a "threaded verge" which is an eight day, time and strike, on a coiled gong. Our head clock maker has fully restored the movement so that it can give you a lifetime of dependable timekeeping. It is just a fabulous clock...don't miss it!
Made in Budapest, Hungary, circa 1900, this fabulous, enameled easel clock is the perfect Art Nouveau desk clock. It is key wind, and key set, from the rear. The Swiss movement winds, sets, and runs just as it did over 100 years ago. The gilded tendrils that form the case work are indicative of the age as they embrace the hand painted panels that depict three "putti's" hovering above an enthralled couple in a sylvan glade. The enamel work is exquisite and undamaged. We constantly search for high quality examples of the enameller's art...especially from the Art Nouveau period...and they are few and far between. As an added bonus, the dial is mother of pearl that provides a great shimmering background for the "blued steel" hands. If you are desirous of a really nice enameled Art Nouveau clock this may be the one for you. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
Movado is a Swiss manufacturer known for its Museum Watch. Designed in 1947 by Bauhaus-influenced artist Nathan George Horwitt, the watch dial has a very simple design where the dial is defined by a solitary dot at 12, symbolizing the sun at high noon, but Movado also made some very nice solid gold dress watches that are of superior quality, and this is one of those. It is an 18k solid gold gentleman's wristwatch that is representative of the clean minimalistic style of the '60s.
Some Movado watch models have Esperanto names such as Bela ("beautiful"), Belamodo ("beautiful fashion"), Fiero ("pride"), Brila ("brilliant"), Linio ("line"), and Verto. The company's name means "movement" in Esperanto.
This Movado has the high grade, 28 jewel "Kingmatic" movement with the model name just above the 6 o'clock position indicating that it is an automatic (self-winding) watch. Another neat thing is that has a date feature at the 3 o'clock position. The case which measures 34mm in diameter, by 40mm lug to lug, by 9.5mm thick, is 18k solid gold which is a beauty to behold... it is a very handsome watch! To gild the lily we have fitted it with a luxurious genuine crocodile band that really suits it. Here is a solid gold watch, in a nice size case that is a top quality performer for a very reasonable price when you compare modern watches of the same quality but at twice the price. This would be a great watch to wear "In The Heat of the Night"!" Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence.
Wow, what an unusual ladies' rose gold wristwatch! It is what we would call "retro" today. During the 1930s, the Art Deco style was in full bloom and this watch takes inspiration from the angular geometry and elongated forms of the era. Make sure you take a look at the "Zoom-In" views of this beautiful case--the shot of the side view tells the story perfectly. The case swoops up from the base to a plateau that holds 7 rubies at the top and at the bottom of the dial. On top of each of the lugs themselves sit three diamonds and, as if this is not enough, the entire case is 18k solid rose gold with a matching beaded rose gold band. The case measures 12mm in width (not including the crown) by 38mm lug to lug, by 10mm thick.
Now, take a look at the crystal... it follows the curved arch of the case and amplifies the look of the silvered dial. In addition to all of this, the Arabic numerals on the dial are mirrored gold. The 15 jewel Swiss movement is performing perfectly and our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence. We've never seen another like it!
Every once and awhile, a watch crosses our path that we have never seen before. That is certainly the case here. This is an Eloga Bracelet Watch. Yes, we have had this brand before, but never this configuration, and that is because it is a custom designed watch made from ladies' slide chain slides that adorned the slide chains for ladies pendant watches from the late 1890s.
The company had its origins in 1917, when Fritz and Hans Spahr started a watch-making concern in Lengnau in Berne, Switzerland - a very bold step in the midst of the First World War. During this turbulent period of history the Swiss watch-making industry continued to gain headway both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the timepieces produced by the Spahr brothers under the name Eloga gained in prestige.
Fritz Spahr junior became managing director after his father retired, and with the support of his uncle he displayed the necessary courage and perseverance required to build a new factory in 1941, in the dark days of the Second World War. Built near the train station in Lenglau, the premises were ultra-modern and met the demands of the increasingly sophisticated manufacturing methods.
It was not long before the younger Spahr’s solid training, professional skills and experience contributed to the growth and diversification of the company’s production of wrist watches. He mastered to perfection artistic and scientific timepieces, from sophisticated and sumptuously adorned ladies’ watches to high-calibre and complex sporting men’s watches.
It was in this era that the trade press named Eloga as one of the leading specialists in sports watches, with the diver’s model receiving particular acclaim. Fritz Spahr junior continued to guide the company with his customary brilliance and foresight until his premature death in 1965.
A Woman at the Helm
His widow, Grety Spahr, next took over the company’s reins, expertly shouldering all her husband’s responsibilities. With the help of daughter Gisela a new day dawned for Eloga watches, with the women offering more feminine and graceful Eloga watches. They ultimately launched the production of luxury watches for a more sophisticated European clientele.
Eloga, the Diamond watch
Allowing their imaginations free rein, the Eloga women designed and created innumerable elegant Eloga watch designs, from diamond-studded brooch watches to bracelet jewelry, like the one we are presenting here, containing a concealed timepiece. Eloga watches fascinated women across Europe and over the Atlantic and the emergence of infinitely more varied and daring designs garnered many adherents in the prestigious world society. The company moved ahead by using high-grade diamonds and other precious gems. Eloga became acclaimed for its unique collection of jewelled watches, while the longevity and reliability means that an Eloga timepiece is truly of timeless value.
When Father Time was first getting started, circa 1979, it was the fashion for ladies to collect Victorian Slides and have them made into bracelets. During Victorian times, ladies wore small pocket watches on a chain around their neck and the chain had a small slide that the owner could move up or down the chain to adapt to different collar configurations. This is where these slides came from. Some fashionable woman at Eloga wanted to combine the look of the Victorian Slide Bracelets to give this watch a unique appearance. This is the result. The Eloga movement is from the mid-1950s. The unique combination of these two styles have made a truly stunning and unique watch. It is also unusual because it is all 14K solid gold. There were many gold-filled slides but not too many 14K solid gold ones. So, the original hunt for these slides must have taken a long time. Take time to notice that the slides contain an amethyst, a cabochon coral, a ruby, a tiger's eye, 2 cameos, two emeralds, two garnets, and 4 seed pearls... what more could you want? The icing on the cake however is the spring loaded enameled gold cap that makes the watch into a hunting case (where the dial is hidden under the lid). It also has a unique framework around the watch head that sports 4 blue sapphires. The owner would lift the beautiful enameled portrait lid to reveal the watch dial. Once the time was discerned the lid would snap back into place covering the dial and the bracelet would be displayed with no hint of the watch evident. Quite dramatic! If you or your loved one wants something unique then this may be the watch for you. One one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
Omega is one of our favorite brands, having produced the high-quality timepieces that endure the test of time. Oversize Omegas, like this one, are very desirable and we constantly look for great examples for our customers who prefer this more 'modern' size. It was a model made for the South American market and, therefore, is a size rarely seen in North America where 34mm was frequently the largest size worn. This Omega "Jumbo" measures 38mm in diameter (not including the crown) by 44mm lug to lug, by 10mm thick (including the crystal). The thin profile means that while this watch has a great presence on the wrist, it also easily slips under a shirt cuff.
It sports an aged silvered dial that is still in great shape, despite showing some minor age spots. The "Omega" logo and name sits below the 12 o'clock position. The large seconds bit overlaps the "6" and takes up all the space in between the 6 o'clock position and the center of the dial--very large indeed! Its "record grooves" catch the light at different angles to the body of the dial, creating a two-tone effect. Rose gold painted Arabic numerals mark the even numbers, with arrow markers in the odd positions. Paired with the rose gold hands, the warmer tones are a nice contrast to the silvered dial.
The 15 jewel, manual wind movement is in great condition and is running like a top. Our head watchmaker has completely restored this beauty so that it is winding, setting, and keeping time just like it did back in the day, circa 1947. The stainless steel case assures you of many, many years of wear without looking worn. Why not own an interesting and historic Omega? It could be yours!
This is one of the "Art Deco" 17 jewel, open face Howards that was made circa 1924. It has an original box and papers that are from the era but, do not exactly match the serial number. My guess is that there were two watches purchased and the boxes got switched at some time in the past because the serial numbers are so close. Nevertheless, it is an original box with original papers. It is a 12 size (measuring 46mm in width by 59mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow), white gold filled, "Extra" case (the thickest gold filled case made) and the case condition is wonderful. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did 100 years ago!
What really makes it sing, however, is the "Art Deco" silvered dial. It is just a thing of beauty that is doubly accented by the pierced, blued steel hands, the engraved pendant, the stylized numerals, and the unusual bow shape. This fabulous case contains a Series Seven that is in pristine condition. Howard has a sterling reputation for quality and this watch is no exception. We warranty all of our timepieces for one year, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence. It can be yours.