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.
There were many Swiss pocket watches made but very few that had the good looks of this Coventry Sterling Silver, open face, key-wind and key-set gentleman's watch. It was made circa 1887 and it is still in fantastic condition. Maybe it was only used for special occasions or it was simply lovingly cared for. What ever the reason, it is all the better for us today. The sterling silver case measures 50mm in diameter, by 18mm thick and it looks great. The hinges for the front bezel and rear lid are solid rose gold and the case band (middle) is what we call a coin edge design so that you can grip it quite easily. The back lid opens effortlessly with the push of the button on the pendant revealing the winding hole and the original owner's name, John Carver. This watch was made for the English market and it bears all the correct hallmarks for purity, maker's mark, and date. The watch was made in Coventry by Adam Burdess and it is a high quality, fusee, tip-out, movement which displays the most spectacular silver dial that is adorned with multi-color gold embellishments. Make sure you zoom in on the photos to see how intricate the dial design is. Roman numerals surround the textured dial center where you can see a foliate arrangement in multi-color gold. This is a nice size, gentleman's, key-wind pocket watch that you will be proud to wear and show off. We have only one...don't miss it!
Hamilton was, without a doubt, the best maker of pocket watches in America and many of their wonderful timepieces are still being used everyday. This particular Hamilton is a scarce configuration in that it is an asymmetrical shaped case that contains a round movement. The case is white gold-filled measuring 44mm tall, by 41mm wide (at its widest), by 21mm (at its narrowest). It is 10mm in thickness. This is a twelve size, open face, 17 jewel, adjusted, nickel movement with a double roller. Now, if you don't know what any of that refers to, just harken to the fact that it is a bit above the average pocket watch in looks, quality, and performance. It has a rigid bow that is very nice, as is the case decoration. The back sports an engraved cartouche ("JC") and the hands are stylized blued steel that complete the Art Deco theme. Made circa 1926, this watch was very much in vogue. It is an elegant gentleman's dress watch that could also be employed for everyday use. Our one-year warranty will allow you to purchase without the worry of restoration.
This is not your ordinary open face pocket watch. It is an American Waltham "Chronometer" rated, fine timepiece. The "Chronometer" designation is reserved for only the top quality watches that are able to pass a stringent set of parameters. Waltham gave it the name "Victoria". The 18 size, yellow gold filled case measures 53mm in diameter (not including the stem and bow) by 18mm thick and was made made circa 1894. It is a 17 jewel, highly precise, nickel plated movement with a safety pinion, a micrometric regulator, marked "adjusted", and with a handsome damascening pattern on the movement plates. The double sunk, porcelain dial exhibits elongated Roman numerals and a red five minute track just on the perimeter of the minute track. There is a seconds bit at the six o'clock position and the original hands are gold, Louis XIV style. The case shows some signs of loving use over the years, but is still very handsome. The case back has an un-engraved shield that awaits your family initials. This is truly a fine timepiece from one of America's finest manufacturers that really deserves the "Chronometer" designation. If you are searching for a really great pocket watch in a large man's size, then this may be the one for you!
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.
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 beautiful 12 size, multi-color, 14k gold-filled Elgin pocket watch. It displays floral and bird patterns that are typical of that era. The serial number indicates that the watch was made in 1904. The movement has 7 jewels and is running just like when it was new. The initials engraved on the back of the watch are PJ. They are barely perceptible on the pink scroll at the lower right quadrant of the watch. On the other side is a flying bird in the same position. Our famous one year parts and labor warranty will make your purchase worry free!
This is an American Hampden, circa 1904, Series 4, in a 16 size gold filled case. The engraving is in great condition and the cartouche (where you normally see the family initials) is open and waiting for your initials so that it can be an instant heirloom! The case measures 50mm in diameter by 70mm from the case bottom to the top of the crown. The movement is a 17 jewel "Gen. Stark." which is one of Hampden's best. Make sure you zoom-in on the photos of the case... it is just spectacular. You can even see the tiny lines of what is called "Engine Turning" in the background of the raised and engraved foliate design. Normally, by this time, those lines have worn off, but not so here. The case is a handsome thing to behold. While you are looking, also take note of the "stirrup" bow (a feature that was a definite upgrade). Now, take a look at the dial. Notice the red Hampden name and 5 minute markers... very unusual! This is all good, but the crowning glory is the movement, which is simply breathtaking. It is a 17 jewel, nickel plate, with inlaid gold markings, and is a two finger bridge model, series 4. This watch was someone's prized possession and it was so well cared for over the years, it's darn near perfect. This could be the one for you. Remember, all of our timepieces come with our famous warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
The Hamilton watch company was founded in 1892, but they didn't produce their first watch until 1893. The first watch was designed by one of the companies founding members - H.J. Cain. Their pocket watches commanded immediate respect and became prominent timepieces for railroad engineers as well as the general public. The "Broadway Limited" was introduced in their first year of business! These watches were so respected that they became the official watch of the American Expeditionary Forces world-wide! A special wristwatch version was made and supplied to General Pershing and his men in WWI. Admiral Byrd relied on the same watch on both his Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Auguste Piccard used a Hamilton timepiece on his balloon ascent into the stratosphere in the early 1930s. The first American to summit Mount Everest, Jim Whittaker, was wearing a Hamilton in 1963!
This Hamilton is a sixteen size, open face pocket watch that is indicative of Hamilton's quality and their commitment to timekeeping at a world class level. This beautiful pocket watch has a plain polish bezel, a beautifully engraved case back (with a small personalization in the shield), a 21 jewel, "940", railroad grade, lever-set movement, and an excellent porcelain double sunk dial with red five minute outer track. What's not to like about this one! You can't go wrong with the Hamilton name and a great looking 25 year gold-filled case (the thickest standard production gold-filled case). The watch is railroad grade, adjusted to 5 position, with a motor barrel and safety pinion, that winds, sets, and runs with exact railroad timekeeping standards! Make sure you look at the "Zoom-In" photos of the movement plates to see how wonderful the damascening patterns are on the back plate and balance cock. Yes, it a beauty and it could be yours. Remember, all of out timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
This Elgin is in near mint condition! Look at the 8 size (43mm in diameter by 63mm, top of bow to bottom of case) "Box Hinge" (Swiss Montilier) case. The engraving shows no signs of wear and these cases were among the most desirable made at the time. Take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to see how this watch is constructed. The extra beefy case shoulders at the top and bottom of the watch are what make it a "Box Hinge" and these improvements assured the owner that the case was very strongly made for a lifetime of use. The 11 jewel, 3/4 plate gilded movement circa 1887 winds, sets, and runs great. This is a scarce size and in great condition... don't miss it!