Elgin was the largest watch manufacturer in the world and when this solid gold Elgin multi-color hunter was made, circa 1918, in Elgin, Illinois and they were dominating the pocket watch market. Their popularity was due to the fact that they made a very reliable and accurate timepiece for a reasonable amount of money. This one is a 16 size, box hinge, that was carried traditionally by men, as it was the standard size for everyday use. The case is a 14k, solid gold, multi-color, box hinge, beauty that was the pinnacle of solid gold pocket watches. On the solid gold case lids you can see yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and green gold in a fantastic foliate design on the front cover and a multi-color stag in the center of the back lid. With the addition of the classic white porcelain dial, it makes for a winning combination! The movement, which is as clean as a whistle, is a 3/4 plate, 17 jewel, nickel movement, an engineering marvel, that is running perfectly. The porcelain dial is in excellent condition and is a good contrast for the blued steel, spade-style hands. Also, take note of the bow. It is what we term a "stirrup" bow that was very desirable. The case measures 48mm in diameter, by 66mm top to bottom, by 12mm thick. Remember, all of our timepieces come with our one-year warranty for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
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.
Howard was the Rolls Royce of American pocket watches at the end of the 1800s and they were the standard by which all other companies were measured. The Boston based E. Howard & Co. introduced the first "quick beat" train to American watchmaking and were also the first company to produce, and market, a stem winding watch in the U.S. as well as the first to adjust timing to all 6 positions. Yes, they were an amazing company who led the American pocket watch onslaught with great panache. By 1902, Howard was purchased by the Keystone Watch Case Company and they carried on the great Howard tradition. Their watches were marked "E. Howard Watch Co. Boston U.S.A." All their watches were cased and timed at the factory and came as complete watches only, unlike the earlier Howard company who contracted with as many as 23 different companies to fabricate cases for them. The production was terminated in 1930 after having made only about 650,000 complete watches. If you compare this total with Elgin, who made roughly 55,000,000 over 100 years of production time, you can see why the Howard watch is scarce today. This particular Howard is as nice as they get for a twelve size, open face Series Seven, 17 jewel. It sports Breguet style, blued steel, "Lunette" hands (including the second hand), Roman numerals, a porcelain dial, and a wonderfully simple, plain polish case that was the thickest gold-filled case made. The "Extra" designation that you can see on the interior of the case back lets the user know that it is guaranteed to wear permanently. Gold filled cases were rated in terms of years of wear provided. This is a yellow gold filled case that is real classic. Normally, one can see the year designations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years inscribed on the case but, rarely the term "Extra" which meant it was the thickest amount of gold that could be used while still having the more rigid base metal on the interior of the case. Very, very few of these cases were made, since it was a very costly proposition to produce one. Add to all of this the fact that the case is a "book style, swing-out" case in fantastic condition. We think that this watch was rarely used over its lifetime and you only have to look at the tiny, beaded rim on the case covers to see what we mean. The beading is still beautiful in its simplicity. This may be your chance to own a Howard that is easy to carry in modern clothing, stunning in its appearance, and in fantastic running condition. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
If you are a regular here at the Father Time site you already know that we believe that Hamilton was the best manufacturer in America. Not only were they the best in terms of total quality, they were also very competitive. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the watch company designers were focused on making slightly larger and longer wristwatches. The rectangular shape was in style and there were many riffs on this theme. This particular Hamilton "Donald" is one of the real classic looks in solid yellow gold that they produced in 1941. Its solid gold case measures 28mm in width by 36mm lug to lug. The silvered dial sports applied gold Arabic numerals, gold "dagger" hands, and a brown lizard band with a 14k solid gold buckle completes the look. The 19 jewel movement is in pristine condition and is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it should. This is the kind of dress watch that you can own for a lifetime...don't miss it!
Longines has been a mover and shaker in the watch world since its inception in Saint-Imier, Switzerland in 1832. Founded by Auguste Agassiz, Longines has been a steady beacon for timekeeping. This watch is representative of their quality and robustness in the market. It was made circa 1972 and executed in brushed stainless steel case, with a charcoal dial and applied stainless steel bar markers at the chapters, and a date window at the 3 o'clock position. The model is the "Conquest" Automatic (self winding) with a central sweep seconds hand. The case measures 37 mm in width by 40 mm lug to lug and it sports a minimally stitched, 18 mm, textured, brown leather band. The movement is a 25 jewel workhorse that will give you great service for generations to come. This is a model we have never had the privilege to own before, due to its scarcity in the market. What really caught our attention, other than its great looks, is the pristine condition of the case, dial, and movement. This is as nice as it gets... what a handsome watch...and it can be yours. Remember all of our watches come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
We here at Father Time Antiques are very lucky in that we currently have two Hamilton "Top Hat" diamond dial watches! It is rare for us to get even one within a ten year period. The case is 14K solid white gold and measures 38mm long by 25mm wide. It has a dramatic diamond dial markers with diamond encrusted numerals at the cardinal points. Additionally, it has a row of 5 diamonds just above and 5 diamonds just below the dial opening. This is really a spectacular statement on the wrist!
Hamilton made some very dramatic looking watches in the 1950s and this one is exceptional for its era, circa 1954. The diamond dial Hamiltons were just spectacular in their appearance and very "Art Deco" in their design. Notice the diamond filled 12, 3, & 9 and the slash set diamond markers with solid white gold bezels at all of the other chapters. The unusual case measures 38mm lug to lug, by 25mm wide by 9mm thick (including the crystal). This is what is called a "hooded lug," where the band actually goes up under the case edge however this style with the "Diamond Dial" is usually called called a "Top Hat" which refers to its dress watch heritage. The case lugs are segmented on top of the lug attachment in a nice "Art Deco" configuration. You will know that you have something special on your wrist when you strap this one on. The case is 14K solid white gold and in excellent condition. Our master watchmaker has this watch winding smoothly, setting easily, and keeping time like the day it left the Hamilton factory at Lancaster, PA. The movement is a 22 jewel caliber 770 that is a joy to see as the balance wheel oscillates. If you have been waiting for an unusual and intriguing diamond dial this may be the watch for you! Don't let it get away... we have only one! Don't forget, all of our watches come with a one year parts and labor warranty.
LeCoultre is a legendary Swiss watch manufacturer and everything they turned their hand to was perfection. Their reputation and status stemmed from the many inventions that they produced. Founded in 1833, they invented a machine to cut steel pinions for watches and went on to produce hundreds of inventions and thousands of calibers in the years since. One of the most impressive accomplishments, achieved in 1844, was the invention of the Millionmeter, the world's most precise measuring instrument. In 1847, they invented a device that did away with key winding and by 1866, they were the first manufacturer under one roof in the Valle de Joux.
We here at Father Time have had a good number of gentlemen's LeCoultre wristwatches over our years in the business, but we have never seen this one before... and what a handsome men's dress watch it is! Raise a toast--this watch deserves it! It has a 14k solid gold case that measures 37 mm in diameter, which was especially large for the era and earns it the "oversize" designation. It has hidden lugs too, where the band ends are not visible, attaching out of sight. Notice the broad band of gold that surrounds the dial... no skimping here.
The silvered dial sports its original finish and it has a great looking patina that speaks to its age, circa 1955. It provides just enough contrast to the bands of gold -- even more so than are apparent in the photos! The applied chapter markers are a unique shape, with the markers at the 12, 3, 6, & 9 o'clock positions being distinguished as smaller teardrop shapes. The "12", "3", and "9" applied Arabic numerals anchor those cardinal points, where the round seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position echoes the overall round case shape. The inner band of gold between the chapter markings and the numerals carries plots of gold and functions as the minute track.
The 17 jewel, caliber 480 manual wind movement is in fantastic condition winding, setting, and keeping time just like it did when it was new. If you are looking for a really nice, solid gold dress watch then this may be the one that steals your heart! Remember, all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
This is a large (18 size) Hampden, 15 jewel, in a 4 oz. coin silver hunting case. The case is in great shape and the engraving is still pretty crisp while the cartouche is unengraved! We love to find them when they have not been personalized! That means that the cartouche can be engraved with your initials and become your family heirloom!
Hampden was an American watch company that held forth in Springfield, Massachusetts, starting in 1877 and later in Canton, Ohio by 1889. This watch, a Series I, 15 jewel, was key wind and key set. It was made circa 1879... a very early piece. Additionally, it bears the name H. Weidemann of Chicago which makes it a "jeweler's contract" watch. If you were a jeweler in Victorian times and you wanted to market your own brand of watch, you could "contract" with Hampden and many other watch manufacturers to have your name put on the movement (and sometimes the dial), provided that you met the minimum purchase requirement. That way you could be assured that your customers were getting a quality watch for which there was good engineering and an ample supply of parts.
This particular watch is in great shape and is a strong runner. It winds, sets, and runs with great accuracy. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
Once in a great while, a watch comes along that makes the heart of an aficionado sing. The Gubelin company made a wonderful watch and this one is stellar among their production. It is a complicated triple date with moon-phase in an 18K solid gold case that was made for their best customers, circa 1954. The dial of the watch shows the date by means of a red tipped hand that points at the date indices just inside of the chapters. The day of the week is shown in a window just below the twelve o'clock position and, in a window next to it, is the month. The phases of the moon appear in a crescent just above the six o'clock position. There is additionally a central red sweep second hand. All of the complications can be advanced manually by means of buttons on the case sides. The case itself is a classic square with quite a bit of heft and stylized teardrop lugs. This complicated movement is running and keeping time like the day it was made. The movement is a 25 jewel automatic mechanical work of art. The automatic feature is great for wearing everyday and it ensures that this accurate time keeper is constantly wound and right on the money. The 18K solid gold case measures 45mm lug to lug, by 32mm wide, by 15mm thick. This is a real man's timepiece that was made for the guy that wants something special. Don't forget all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year parts and labor warranty!
We don't see a lot of these Mathey enamel ladies pockets, especially in this condition, but when we do we acquire them. This one is a 13 jewel key wind, key set beauty in 14K solid gold hunting case that has enamel on both sides in a lovely portrait and reverse pattern. The enamel work is not only beautiful, but in wonderful condition. This watch was undoubtedly made for someone of high station in life. A real jewel-in-the-crown of your collection. Fully restored and warrantied for one year so that you may buy with confidence. We have only one. So, don't miss it!
This is a gentleman's Touchon & Co. minute repeater, one of the best repeaters in the world! Touchon & Co. was a stellar Swiss company, started in 1907, that made high grade watches for the world's finest retailers. Tiffany was their largest client and they demanded only the best for their customers. They were not only one of the best watches produced but, since production ceased in 1921, one of the scarcest. Minute repeaters are, in and of themselves, one of the most complicated watches ever manufactured, and when one is as nice as this one, really rare. When the repeater slide is activated, along the case side, the watch will chime revealing the hour, the quarter hour, and finally the exact minute! The owner could then know the time to the precise minute without looking at the dial - a very handy feature in the dark. Everything about this watch has been fashioned to very exacting standards. The beautiful dial, the elegant 18K solid gold case, the smooth slide, and classic design all combine to make it a fantastic timepiece. Notice how the stylized personalization on the case back creates an interesting design... if only this watch could talk and reveal its, now secret, owner. Not only is this a beautiful watch, but the engineering needed to make all these complications function in such a slender case is nothing short of astounding. Take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to see how nice this complicated movement is. It is signed "Touchon" under the dial and displays a three finger bridge, large ruby jewels, and perfectly situated gongs. The sound of these gongs is delightful to hear and gives one a real feel for the precision and desirability of a true minute repeater. I can imagine a gentleman at the opera in a tuxedo activating the repeater function, during intermission, to have his Touchon chime the time, consulting the dial for the correct time and triggering the repeater to give everyone within earshot a real treat. This Touchon is a 29 jewel, extremely high grade timepiece, that we have converted from a pocket watch to a wristwatch so that you may wear it easily and have a nice big statement on your wrist. The 18K solid gold case measures 47mm in diameter, by 56mm lug-to-lug. It is in perfect running condition and it winds, sets, and keeps time like the day it came from Switzerland. There are very few wrist minute repeaters in the world, and this will rank among the best extant. Since the production for Touchon was only 14 years these watches are as scarce as hen's teeth. As I once read on a website devoted entirely to Touchon, "if you are offered the opportunity to buy a Touchon & Co. repeater, then I advise you to do so." The prices have risen dramatically in the last few years and we expect them to continue their rise quite dramatically in the coming years as these are the possessions of a precious few.
This is by far one of the nicest wristwatch repeaters we have ever had the pleasure to offer for sale... don't miss it! Remember, all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
This is truly a one of a kind watch! Listen to the watch chime on our Facebook page.
This is an extraordinary timepiece that we rarely have the pleasure to offer for sale. This piece was made for Tiffany and is an extraordinary example of the watchmaker's art circa 1910. Not only is this Agassiz an extremely high-grade watch for its day, but it also has its original matching, neck chain that is executed in the same beautiful blue enamel that encases the watch. The way the enamel, platinum, and gold compliment one another is testament to the ultimate skill of the jeweler, casemaker, and the watchmaker. The small size of the watch is a huge technological achievement for its day. Today, we can only marvel at the skill of these craftsmen from bygone days. Take a look at the guilloche work beneath the translucent blue enamel. There is a delicate tracery that centers the case and highlights the central diamond encrusted platinum filigree. This wonderful timepiece also has a swiveling bow so that it may be displayed with either, the dial or the diamonds facing forward. Additionally the bow has its own inset diamonds. Counting the bow and the case there is a total of 30 diamonds. The watch measures only 22mm in diameter, not including the stem and bow... an incredible size that is quite easily worn around the neck. The 18K yellow gold chain has nine blue enamel links and a central blue enamel rondel that connects the two neck chains to the central leader. The dial is in excellent original condition showing the "Agassiz" name and "Swiss" below the 6 o'clock position. The blued steel hands contrast easily with the beautifully aged cream colored dial. These hands are the so called "Breguet Lunette" style that have a very attractive look. At the edge of the bezel there is an arcaded 18K yellow gold reveal that has white enamel as its background. This design is also evident on the reverse and on the pendant. The case middle is in yellow gold and is set off by the blue enamel case band.
All-in-all this is one of the most spectacular ladies pendant watches we have had in a long time. We have only one so don't miss it! Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.