The Ingersoll Watch Company grew out of a mail order business (R H Ingersoll & Bro) started in New York City in 1882 by 21-year-old Robert Hawley Ingersoll and his brother Charles Henry Ingersoll. The company initially sold low-cost items such as rubber stamps.
The first Ingersoll watches, called "Universal" were introduced in 1892, supplied by the Waterbury Clock Company. They were in reality small spring-driven clocks, about three inches diameter and over one inch thick. These were put into watchcases with pendants that carried bows and crowns like contemporary watches. The crown was not functional, the watch was wound by a captive key that hinged out, and a central wheel was used to set the hands, both accessible when the back was opened just as in a clock. At first they were sold wholesale to dealers, but later in 1892 a mail order catalogue was produced and watches were sold directly to the public.
The Waterbury watch company also initially sold the watches, but the Ingersolls soon negotiated a sole agency deal. In 1893 a smaller version of the Universal watch called the "Columbus" was made.
In 1896 Ingersoll introduced a watch called the Yankee, setting its price at $1. This made it the cheapest watch available at the time, and the first watch to be priced at one dollar; the "Dollar Watch" was born. It was cheaply mass-produced from stamped parts and without jewels so that it would be affordable to everyone.
By 1899 the Waterbury Clock Company were producing 8,000 of these watches per day for Ingersoll, who started advertising that 10,000 dealers carried their dollar watch. By 1910, Waterbury was producing 3,500,000 dollar watches per year for Ingersoll.
Over twenty years nearly forty million dollar watches were sold, and Ingersoll coined the phrase "The watch that made the dollar famous!" Theodore Roosevelt mentioned that during his hunting trip in Africa he was described as "the man from the country where Ingersoll was produced."
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In 1904 Ingersoll opened a store in London, England. In 1905 Robert sailed to England and introduced the Crown pocket watch for 5 shillings, which was the same value as $1 at the time. These were made by a British subsidiary, Ingersoll Ltd, initially assembled from imported parts, and later made entirely in their London factory. These watches were made until the late 1920s, after the American parent company had collapsed.
Ingersoll bought the Trenton Watch Company in 1908, and the bankrupt New England Watch Company in Waterbury, Connecticut for $76,000 on November 25, 1914. By 1916, the company was producing 16,000 watches per day in 10 models. In 1917 they produced another popular watch with 7 jewels called the Reliance. In 1919 Ingersoll developed a watch with the so-called "night design", the Radiolite with luminous dial.
n the 1930s, the company, now called Ingersoll-Waterbury manufactured the first Mickey Mouse watches. Over five million of these watches would be sold in the first 15 years of production.
The watch on offer here is from their later, upscale production, circa 1940 when their watches were real competitors for the US pocket watch market. This watch is a 7 jewel, 3/4 plate, nickel movement that is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did over 80 years ago. The white gold filled case measures 50 mm in diameter, by 63 mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 13 mm thick (including the crystal). The porcelain dial has bold Arabic Numerals and blued steel hands for ease of viewing. It is a great looking watch that will give you years of service without breaking the bank. Our one year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence.
Waltham was a wonderful and prolific watch manufacturer located in Waltham, Ma. and they were in business from 1851 to 1957, in various iterations. Their earlier efforts, circa 1850, in Roxbury, Massachusetts resulted in the Howard, Dennison & Davis moniker. Later the name changed to Boston Watch Company, then Appleton, Tracey, & Co., then The American Watch Co., and finally the Waltham Watch Company. They were one of the giants of the industry and second largest only to Elgin. This particular Waltham is in a "Tip Out", sterling silver case and is the only one we have ever had in sterling after being in the business for over 42 years. Not only is it in a very desirable case, but it is also an "Up/Dn Winding Indicator."
The "Winding Indicator" is one of the most desirable watches for railroad engineers because they can see at a glance how much reserve is left on their mainspring. There is a subsidiary dial (at the 12 o'clock position) which indicates how many hours are left in reserve for the use of the timekeeping ability of the movement. This is a 23 jewel (the top grade), 3/4 quarter plate, nickel movement that is in fantastic condition. It is housed in a sterling silver case that measures 53 mm in diameter, by 76 mm (from the case bottom to the top of the bow), by 14 mm thick (including the crystal). The porcelain dial is in fantastic condition showing not only the Up/Dn indicator sub dial at the 12 o'clock position, but also the seconds bit at the six o'clock position. This very interesting railroad pocket watch can be yours. We have only one in this configuration....don't miss it!
In 1864, the Dueber Watch Case Company was founded in Newport, Kentucky, by John Dueber. They made pocket watch cases that were used by many of the manufacturers of watch movements. It was custom at that time to select the movement and the case separately so there was a large selection that was available to the consumer and the watch dealer alike. The Dueber Watch Case Company provided the cases for many companies, including the Hampden Watch Company, which was located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Hampden Watch Company's product so impressed Dueber that in 1886 he purchased a controlling interest in this company. In 1888, Dueber relocated the Dueber Watch Case Company from Newport and the Hampden Watch Company from Springfield to Canton, Ohio. In this new location, the two companies shared manufacturing facilities. The Dueber Watch Case Company produced the cases for the watches that the Hampden Watch Company manufactured. In 1923, the two companies formally united together, becoming known as the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company. This particular Hampden was made circa 1882, in the Springfield, Ma. facility and it is their Model II movement. It was a preferred custom at that time to produce what were called "jeweler's contract watches." These were watches that were produced by all the major companies but which bore the names of local jewelers on the dial and sometimes on the movement (as is the case here). If an order was placed in sufficient quantity, the manufacturer would print the jeweler's name on their watch, so the jeweler could sell it as his private label, all the while knowing that the full force of Hampden or some other manufacturer stood behind the engineering and parts supply. This is one of those. The porcelain dial has the overlaid inititials "HW" to represent the Chicago jeweler's name. His first initital and full last name are in full view on the movement. It was labeled as the private label of H. Weidehann and is a 15 jewel, nickel, full-plate movement with striped damasceening. The 18 size, yellow gold-filled case measures 55 mm in diameter, by 80 mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 18.5 mm thick. The porcelain dial is perfect and it displays a nice, large seconds bit at the six o'clock position. Bold Arabic numerals and blued steel hands complete the look. This is a very desirable Hampden that is rarely seen. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did 100 years ago. This is a very nice watch for the dough even though it has some case wear from loving use over the last century. It is now ready for your pocket. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
Elgin is a brand that is known worldwide and, we here at Father Time, see a good many Elgin watches that were made over the 100 years that they were in business. In almost every instance, we can restore these wonderful timepieces to the timekeeping ability that Elgin originally intended them to have... a testament to their quality. Elgin can certainly be proud of what they accomplished, because they had an excellent product that has stood the test of time. This particular Elgin is an 18 size, open-face, nickel case, with a porcelain, Roman numeral dial that has a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position. It sports blued steel hands that really stand out for easy reading and a handsome look. The nickel case measures 58 mm in diameter, by 82 mm (including the bow), by 22 mm thick (including the crystal). It houses a seven jewel movement that is in fantastic condition. The bezel has a coin edge for ease of removal to gain access to the tip-out movement. The case back is plain polish. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did way back in 1900. This really nice open face, 18-size Elgin pocket watch can be yours for not that much dough. It is fully restored and warrantied for one year for parts and labor.
Bulova was a very prolific, Swiss company that made great watches for which there are many parts still available. These were well designed, not only from a cosmetic perspective, but also from an engineering standpoint. This is a really nice pocket watch that was made in 1952. It has a very clean 15 jewel movement, in a yellow gold-filled case, with a cream colored dial, gold "Sword" hands, and a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position. The case measures 42.5 mm wide, by 50 mm (from the case bottom to the top of the bow) by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). This is a very nice example due to the stylized, applied gold Arabic Numerals. It's an elegant pocket watch, in great condition, that is easy to carry and that will give you years of service. Our one year warranty for parts and labor will give you the confidence you need when purchasing a vintage pocket watch.
We here at Father Time have a close relationship with Elgin watches just like you do with your hometown team. We get more Elgin pocket watches than almost any other company's production, due to our proximity to the Elgin area (a suburb of Chicago) and we are delighted that this is so because, Elgin was a wonderful company that made a really nice watch. The plus side for you today is that we have also purchased a large stock of Elgin parts, over the years we have been in business (38 and counting) and we can fix anything they made, with all original parts. This 15 jewel, three-quarter plate, nickel movement in a yellow gold-filled, 12 size hunting case measuring 47 mm in diameter, by 61 mm from the bottom of the case to the top of the bow, by 11 mm thick. The watch has been lovingly cared for since 1902 and our head watchmaker tells me that he thinks it is good for another 100 years, if you take good care of it. The porcelain dial is very nice and it sports black Roman numerals and blued steel hands. Notice the seconds bit at the six o'clock position and how nice the inlaid blue enamel is on the case lid and back. The outer case back design is engine turned creating a interesting effect. It is quite unusual and dramatic. It is a very nice cress pocket watch that can be yours. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to enjoy it worry-free!
Elgin is a brand that is known worldwide and, we here at Father Time, see a good many Elgin watches that were made over the 100 years that they were in business. In almost every instance, we can restore these wonderful timepieces to the timekeeping ability that Elgin originally intended them to have... a testament to their quality. Elgin can certainly be proud of what they accomplished, because they had an excellent product that has stood the test of time.
This particular Elgin is a 12 size, open face, white gold-filled, with a silvered two-tone dial in the Art Deco style that was popular in the 1920s. It sports blued steel hands that really stand out for easy reading and a handsome look. The white gold-filled case measures 44 mm in diameter, by 56 mm (including the bow), by 10.5 mm thick (including the crystal). It houses a 17 jewel movement that is in fantastic condition.
Both bezels have foliate engraving that just looks spectacular. The case back has a very fine striped pattern with a central cartouche that contains the initial "S." It is so tastefully executed that anyone can enjoy it, even if your name does not start with an "S." Even the bow is engraved to match the bezels. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did way back in 1923. This really nice Art Deco Elgin pocket watch can be yours for not that much dough. It is fully restored and warrantied for one year for parts and labor.
Purse watches are a thing of the past, but what an elegant fashion. This is essentially a wristwatch head that has been fashioned to reside in beautiful sterling silver case that is elegantly enameled in black and yellow. Juvenia, the manufacturer, is world renowned for precision and accuracy. This watch can be used in one's purse, worn around the neck as a pendant, or on the end of a pocket watch chain for the pocket – it is very versatile. The case measures 33 mm in width when closed, by 49 mm long (including the bow), by 12 mm thick (when closed). It is 38 mm tall when open. The silvered dial (with a slight yellow tint, that appears more strident in the photos) measures 20 mm by 25 mm. The movement is a 15 jewel, typical wristwatch movement for the period, circa 1925. It is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did way back in 1925. There is even a wonderful guilloche pattern under the yellow enamel that produces an interesting texture (barely discernable in the photos). It adds definite eye appeal. It is one of the nicest examples we have had the pleasure to own after 42 years in the business... and it can be yours!
Waltham was a wonderful and prolific watch manufacturer located in Waltham, MA and they were in business from 1851 to 1957, in various iterations. Their earlier efforts, circa 1850 in Roxbury, MA, resulted in the Howard, Dennison & Davis moniker, later changed to Boston Watch Company, then Appleton, Tracey, & Co., the American Watch Co., and finally the Waltham Watch Company. They were one of the giants of the industry and second largest only to Elgin.
This particular Waltham is a 17 jewel, adjusted, white gold-filled, wandering seconds, open face pocket watch. It is such a beautiful watch in the Art Deco style that you will want to take it out of your pocket at every opportunity. The 12 size case measures 44 mm in diameter, by 52 mm (from the case bottom to the top of the bow), by 10 mm thick (including the crystal). The silvered, two-tone dial is in fantastic condition and it displays a rotating disc just above the 6 o'clock position where the "wandering seconds dial" can be observed.
As an added bonus, the back has an inlaid blue & black enamel design that frames the unengraved cartouche meant for your family initials. The case middle has an ornately engraved protruding edge that allows the user an easy grip. Yes, everything about this watch is spectacular... including the condition of the movement. It is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did after the crash of the stock market in 1929. I don't ever recall having a nicer one of these scarce watches after being in the business for over 42 years. Don't miss it... we have only one!
Talk about a high-end, killer pocket watch... this is it! Hamilton (the most respected maker in America) made this beautiful "Railway Special" pocket watch, circa 1936, and what a watch it is! The 23 jewel movement is an engineering marvel to behold. Our head watchmaker has it running, winding and keeping time just as it did over 83 years ago. When you see it in operation, you can only marvel at its precision and accuracy. It is housed in a yellow gold-filled screw-back, screw-bezel case, measuring 51 mm in diameter, by 64 mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 15 mm thick (including the crystal). The porcelain dial is double sunk and in good condition, with a minor hairline on the inner dial between the 1 and 2. The bold Arabic numerals and hefty blued-steel hands allowed the train engineer to see the time very easily. There is also a very nice seconds bit at the six o'clock position. The case sports a "non-pull-out" bow and a real rugged case. The damascening pattern on the movement is quite handsome and in perfect condition. The timing pattern on our vibrograph machine is second to none, showing a perfect record in all positions. If you are looking for a spectacular, high-grade, railroad pocket watch, then this may be the one for you. All of our timepieces come with a one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
This is a very unusual pocket watch made for the Latin American market. It is called a "Retrograde Jump Hour". As the minute hand reaches what would normally be the three o'clock position, it jumps backwards to what would normally be the 9 o'clock position and, as it does so, the Roman numeral in the window just below the 12 o'clock position also jumps to the new hour. It's quite a spectacle to view and, back in the day (circa 1906), it was just astounding. This watch is in perfect working condition and is fully restored. The watch is a 19 lignes, 15 jewel movement housed in a yellow gold-filled case that measures 50 mm in diameter, by 69 mm (from the case bottom to the top of the bow), by 13 mm thick (including the crystal). Interestingly, this watch was also used as a promotional piece that advertised "Cigarillos Excelsior" and is so marked on the dial. When you open the case back and take a gander at the dust cover, you will see the Nouveau font that was used during the Art Nouveau period (1890-1910). The case back is beautifully engraved with a Nouveau design and it has, at its center, an un-engraved cartouche just waiting for your family initials. This is a scarce watch that is in excellent condition and one that delights the senses every time you gaze at its unusual dial configuration. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to purchase this handsome watch with complete confidence... don't miss it!
This is a Swiss key-wind, key-set, open face, pocket watch made circa 1890, dedicated (inside the back cover) in 1909 to commemorate a loved one. The case which measures 50 mm in diameter, by 73 mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 20 mm thick is executed in sterling silver with a sterling dial that has raised gold Roman numerals. The dial is a handsome creation that has a wonderfully engraved center with alternate smooth and engraved banding with a neat seconds bit at the six o'clock position. The dark blue hands give it a great contrasting look that makes it easily read. The case has such great design appeal, and is in such great condition, that you will be amazed when you hold it in your hand. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did over 110 years ago. If you take good care of it this wonderful pocket watch can be an heirloom for your family for the next hundred years.