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!
This is one you have to see in person because the photos just can't capture the real Art Deco essence of this timepiece! I think that it is the light coming off of the stones that gives it a special appearance that the camera just can't see. Talk about a definitive Art Deco watch... this is it! The watch is a very nice Swiss Orator that our watchmakers have winding, setting, and keeping time like the day it arrived here in America in the 1930s.
The metal is all sterling silver and the black enamel work surrounding the dial just sets it off perfectly. The dial is a beautiful cream color with a corrugated texture. The chapters are applied gold Arabic numerals surrounded by painted gold dots designating chapter and minutes. The gold hands complete the look!
The bar pin is hand-engraved and catches the light quite nicely. The stones are all costume, but the quality of the movement is an excellent, 17 jewel Swiss beauty. There are 34 marcasites bordering the watch and 18 baguette rhinestones that compliment the upper black half-round and lower black pyramidal stones. The head is 23 mm wide, 26 mm long and 14 mm thick and hangs from a hinged joint. Attached to the pendent, the whole piece hangs 80 mm. No doubt some well-to-do lady wore this piece to a fare-thee-well. Now, you can have an authentic piece of the era that has a great deal of style for a reasonable price, in fully restored condition, and warrantied for one year for parts and labor. Not only is it a nice watch, but it is also a piece of Art Deco jewelry. Don't miss it. We have only had one of these after being in the business for over 40 years!
This is a lovely little ladies Elgin Pocket Watch, that would have been a real prize for any lady in 1914 when it was made. These watches were almost always worn on a slide chain around the neck or on a watch pin. The chain was long enough that it doubled over you head and formed a "V" shape holding the watch securely at your breast bone. Residing on the chain was a slide that you could position at whatever your collar configuration was for your outfit. The slide moved easily along the chain, but stayed in place once it was positioned due to bits of cork that were inside of the slide for this purpose. It made for a very elegant look. Most women had gold-filled watches, but a few were lucky enough to have a solid gold one like this one. Not only is it solid 14k gold, but it is one of the most beautifully engraved watches we have had in over 33 years. The hand engraving is so spectacular, not only in execution but condition that it takes you eye whenever you are near it. Make sure that you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to see it in detail. There are two cartouches on the lids that are a very unusual ovoid shape. One is plain polish and awaiting your family initial, while the other has an intricate idyllic scene engraved to amuse your eye. Once you have drooled over the engraving, take a look at the fancy bow at the top. In a world of plain circular bows, this one is king. As you might imagine with a case this wonderful, the seven jewel movement is in pristine condition and the superior of the two grades that Elgin offered at the time. Our watchmakers had only to clean, oil, and regulate the watch to get it winding, running, and keeping time just like it did back in 1914. Many women had watches of the era, but only the lucky few had solid gold watches like this beauty and it 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. Don't miss this one... as we have only one!
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.