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.
This is one of those pieces that makes you just say, "WOW!" In all of our years in the business, we have never seen a better, more complete, or higher grade "Art Nouveau" ladies' watch than this one. When you hold this piece in your hand, you can feel how well made it is. Ladies' 18k gold, enamel pieces are very scarce by themselves, but the Nouveau pieces are almost non-existent in this quality. I know that you have heard the expression that, "the pictures really don't do it justice," but in this case it is absolutely true! It is a piece to die for!
The movement in this watch is not just any movement, is a 17 jewel, high-grade timepiece that was made for Tiffany by Vacheron and Constantine (makers to royalty). Watches for women at this time, circa 1899, were normally only 7 jewel since it was thought that women did not have to have as accurate a timepiece as a man (how times have changed!).
The case, bezel, and back are in a very unusual "flange style" configuration where the case middle is recessed. The fact that these parts fit perfectly is a testament to the watchmaker's art. The incised recesses on the surface of the case contain the enamel work in small cloisonné that add grace and beauty to the overall design, but also protect the enamel from wear and/or abuse. The foliate designs that were the hallmark of the Art Nouveau period are evident all over this magnificent watch.
The matching pin to one of these Nouveau watches is almost never found with the original watch... but here it is! Notice the delicate use of grape-like rubies in contrast to the green enamel. The pin also has two portraits that have been executed in gold depicting two cherubs. The pin attaches to the watch conventionally via a hook to the bow. The bow swivels to allow the wearer to revolve the watch easily to display either side to the viewer. This is a watch that has been carefully designed with the most discerning client in mind. Our master watchmaker thinks that it may be a one-of-a-kind custom made piece for a very special person.
Watches like this don't cross our path often, but when they do, we make every attempt to secure them for our valued customers. This one can be yours! 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 finely made Swiss 16 jewel open face pocket watch that was surely carried by a fine gentleman back in the day! It has a lever escapement and is pendant set. The watch is a Swiss size - 16.5 lignes, comparable to an American 12 size. As there is no name on the dial, or the movement, we would call this an ebauche - probably made for export to a small family jewelry shop in England or America! If you wanted your own brand of watch to retail you could contract with one of the major Swiss manufacturers to produce a minimum number that would allow you to market a brand with your name on the dial or you could choose to have no name on it...which is the case here. You, as a retailer, could be assured of quality engineering, a constant parts supply, and a watch that you could be proud to sell. This Swiss pocket watch, circa 1921, has a metal dial with a wonderful patina on it! It has aged perfectly over the years to that great vintage appearance that only time can create. The 18k solid gold case is plain polished and in mint condition. Overall a simply elegant timepiece which can be yours for generations to come. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
Gruen was legendary for excellence in watchmaking and the "Pentagon" is evidence of that reputation. Unusual shapes were reserved for special timepieces that the company wanted to highlight. The "Pentagon" has a slimness and elegance that begs to be put in your pocket. The silvered dial bears the Gruen mark as well as the "Veri-Thin" and "Precision" designation. The gold hands have skeletonized diamond shaped ends that point to embossed Arabic numerals. The pentagonal shape is repeated in the shape of the recessed seconds bit. The case is yellow gold filled, plain polish that terminates in an arched bow. The 17 jewel movement is ticking, and keeping time like the day it was made. The only service that this watch required when we received it, was cleaning, oiling, and regulating. This is a testament to how well it was cared for over the years and to Gruen's quality. If you want a pocket watch that you can be proud to carry this is the one! Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year parts and labor warranty.
These clocks were for the French merchant that wanted something special and elegant in his shop to give customers the correct time and add a touch of class to the shop. The name came from the preponderance of this type of clock that was found in French Bakeries. This particular clock is an unusual example having inlaid mother of pearl against a black background on the bezel and dial surround. The contrasting red trim adds just a touch of eye appeal. The dial is a all porcelain and displays individually fired bombe chapters with Roman numerals that have individual brass surrounds. The blued steel pierced hands add the final touch that give this clock a spectacular appearance. The clock strikes the hours on a coiled gong and is eight day running. The front bezel hinges from the top to gain easy access to the pendulum. Circa 1870, it's good for yet another hundred years.
Jakob Josef Mauritz Breitschmid was a watchmaker in Lucerne in 1854, as his business bloomed he hired an apprentice named Eduard Jakob Gubelin who eventually married Breitschmid's daughter, Bertha, and then bought into Breitschmid's business. In an attempt to improve their situation, Breitschmid and Gubelin moved their shop to a location where royalty and the upper classes were frequent visitors. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Gubelin is a name that is world famous. We are delighted to be able to offer a rare rectangular E. Gubelin in a stainless steel case with its original finish dial. Purists, please take note! Zoom in on the photos to see how wonderful this dial is. It displays a very interesting minute track with contrasting border and a large seconds bit. The unusual hand shape completes the package. The 15 jewel movement is in pristine condition and our master watchmakers have it winding, running, and keeping time to an amazing standard that is as good as factory new. The Swiss really knew how to make a fantastic watch and this is the proof of the pudding. The stainless steel case is in very nice condition showing only minor wear for a piece of this vintage. Attached to this cool watch is a very interesting period band that carries the Art Deco theme around the wrist. If you are looking for a rare watch, circa 1930, then this may be the one for you! Remember: all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
This might be the fanciest gentleman's Hamilton ever made! The case is 14K solid white gold and measures 40mm long by 22mm wide. It has a dramatic diamond dial with diamond encrusted numerals at the cardinal points.
Hamilton made some very dramatic looking watches in later years however this one was exceptional for its era circa 1947. 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 single set diamonds with solid white gold bezels at all of the other chapters. The long case measures 40mm lug to lug by 22mm wide by 11mm thick. The movement is a 17 jewel caliber 980 that is a joy to see as the balance wheel swings effortlessly back and forth. 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. I have never seen another like this in my 25 years in business. 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 was born. 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.