The Illinois Watch Company had its beginnings in several other incarnations, starting in December of 1870, in Springfield, Illinois. The two founders were John Whitfield Bunn and John C. Adams. They started the Springfield Watch Company by attracting several other investors, until they had amassed the princely sum of $100,000.00, which in those days was no small task. William B. Miller was to be their first secretary as they started production and a journey over what was to be a bumpy financial road. By 1877, after some difficulty, the company was reorganized and renamed the Illinois Springfield Watch Company and Erastus Newton Bates was chosen to lead them out of the financial difficulties they had encountered but, by July of 1878 they were once again faced with a re-organization and the name changed once again, to the Illinois Watch Company, the final iteration that we know today. The chief executive was Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-1897) and he was an all-round entrepreneur with his fingers in finance, newspapers, land development, coal, banking, railroads, wholesale groceries, politics and even the manufacture of rope. The Bunn brothers, John & Jacob, were close friends with Abraham Lincoln, whose political career was financed and managed by them. The growth of the enterprise grew steadily from this point on under the management of the Bunn brothers. The fortunes of the company were starting to rise and by 1880, they had over 400 employees, up from 260 in 1879, and ultimately 1200 at their apex. Production was up as well from 33,285 in 1879 to 47,065 by 1880. Just ten years later, they could boast offices in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago.
With the advent of the Railroad Commission, in 1893, Illinois became one of the leading forces behind the design and manufacture of the highly accurate railroad timepieces that became world standards for accuracy and reliability. Illinois was known as the "Cadillac" of pocket watches back in the day! This watch is 16 size in a yellow gold-filled case that is in fantastic condition. This watch is a fine example of American watch making, circa 1916. The Illinois company made exceptional timepieces and this one is representative of how nice they turned out! Illinois put their heart and soul into making very accurate and elegantly engineered watches for the discerning customer. They honed their skills making railroad watches, like this one, for America's "iron horses". The nickel movement in this one has a very interesting damascening pattern in that it is a series of stripes that look really cool. The movement is an adjusted, 21 jewel, three-quarter plate, nickel marvel, that is running like a champ. Railroad watches were precisely regulated to keep the best time possible because people's lives depended on giant locomotives following a strict schedule.
Back in 1891, on April 18th, there was a head-on crash between two railroad trains just outside of Kipton, Ohio. The fast mail train #14 collided with the Toledo Express. The fast mail was running at full speed and the Toledo express was almost at a spot where it would traditionally pull over on a siding to let the fast mail pass. The massive collision killed nine men, six of them postal clerks working on the fast mail train. Investigators determined that the Toledo express crew was at fault. Their train was late and should not have started out for Kipton, knowing that the fast mail was approaching on the same line. The investigation centered on the engineer’s watches, one of which was possibly four minutes slow. A mere four minutes was the difference between life and death on the line. This is why American watch manufacturers strove to make the best possible watch one could own. This is one of those watches.
Look at the large ruby jewels and the gold jewel cups! Take a look at this wonderful porcelain dial, with its bold Arabic numerals for easy reading... it is immaculate! The bold, blued steel hand shape is easy to see for an engineer with one hand on the "Dead Mans" throttle. Additionally, the second hand, which is also blued steel, is the perfect complement to the large seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position. The plain polish, yellow gold-filled case shows only minor wear, commensurate with its age, and it looks great! This is a very nice, genuine Railroad Watch, 16 size, bold Arabic numerals, lever set, porcelain dial, screw back and bezel and a 60 Hour "Bunn Special" to boot. It has a beautiful damascening pattern on the nickel movement that just sings out for your attention. The case measures 50 mm in diameter, by 65 mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 14 mm thick (including the crystal). What's not to like? Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with complete confidence. Don't let it get away.
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 21 jewel (so marked on the dial), "Riverside", adjusted to temperature and position. It is a pendant-set, yellow gold-filled case, porcelain dial (with bold, Arabic numerals), gentlemen's watch that measures 49 mm in diameter, by 60 mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 13 mm thick (including the crystal). It is a screw-back, screw-bezel case and the hands are bold blued steel. There is a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position that also has a blued steel hand. It sports strong shoulders, surrounding the crown and a non-pull-out bow. What a nice, high grade, 16 size pocket watch! It is running well - within original timing standards - just as it should. The engraved bezels (front and back) give it a handsome look. The case is yellow gold-filled and in great shape. This just may be the one for you. If so, give us a call. Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to 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 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! Suffice it to say, Hamilton made the best American watches... bar none!
The "Dodson" was one of Hamilton's "Tubular Lug" models and one of the largest that they offered. The model was produced for 10 years between 1938 and 1948... a very long time for a watch model to persist. I think it was very popular... as they are today! This particular Hamilton "Dodson" was made circa 1939 and was one of 75,687 made in gold-filled. How many survive today is anyone's guess. This one has the 18K gold applied numerals as opposed to the more common black enamel numerals. It is a seventeen jewel Hamilton, grade 897-A, a 6/O size. The yellow gold filled case measures 27 mm at its widest (not including the crown), by 37 mm lug to lug, by 8 mm thick (including the crystal). The ivory colored dial displays a wonderful patina that it has earned over time. We have fitted it with a very nice, light brown, lizard strap so that it will grace your wrist with panache. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will assure you it is in great running condition, as are all of our timepieces.
Tissot has been a luxury brand since its founding in 1853 in Le Locle, Switzerland. They have been revered for their quality since day one and have been a brand that has stood the test of time. This watch is a really handsome Tissot for its era, circa 1965! Not only is it handsome, but it is also beautifully styled as is evidenced by the unusual date window at the 6 o'clock position. The silvered dial is a thing of beauty and the stainless steel case measures 34 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 40 mm lug to lug, by 9 mm thick (including the crystal). It is as smooth as a baby's behind. This Tissot has a 17 jewel movement that winds, sets, and performs like the day it was made. When you strap this one on your wrist it really becomes a handsome addition to a real male's wardrobe. Now take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos and notice how free of wear it is. This is not only a graceful watch, but very handsome one as well. Like all Father Time watches, it has been completely restored and is running just like new! Look at the case back - it's virtually devoid of wear! When you see a chewed up back on a watch you know what you'll find on the inside! Not this one! This one has been carefully worn and serviced over the years. With continued care and maintenance, you can have this elegant timepiece for generations to come. Our warranty ensures that the watch is just as we have represented it! We have only one...so don't miss it!
Everyone who even dabbles in vintage and antique pocket watches knows that Hamilton was the best timepiece made in America and, as a consequence, there is a lot of competition for those Hamiltons that are at the top of the heap. This is one of those! It is a 23 jewel, grade 920 yellow gold filled, open face, 12 size, pendant-set, pocket watch that is adjusted to temperature and 5 positions. It sports gold screw-in jewel settings, a motor barrel, and a Breguet hairspring. It measures 47 mm in diameter, by 54 mm, from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). Our head watchmaker has its heart beating like the day it was made, way back in 1921, and the timing tape coming out of the Vibrograph machine is near perfect. Notice how nice the case is. It is a classic, plain polish with nicely engraved bezels, a non-pull out bow, with a screw back and a screw bezel to keep out debris and dust. The porcelain dial is in great condition and it display a red 5 minute track for added timekeeping convenience. The movement is a nickel, two-finger bridge, 23 jewel beauty that just gleams when you open the case back and cast your gaze on the striped damascening plate pattern. It is a killer... don't miss it!
Coro costume jewelry is a good name to look for, and this Coro "Duette" Pin is a real stunner! It was made to be worn as a two-horse pin or separately as "sweater pins". On the back of the piece is a structural base that the two pins attach to so that they may be worn together, but separated when you want to wear them apart from one another. It is what allowed Coro to patent their "Duette" design! The entire piece is fashioned from sterling silver that has a gold overlay, and is so marked. It is from the mid 1950s and is a very unusual piece with a great look!
Rhinestones give the horses their eye-catching sparkle, with marquise shaped red gems for their ears and bright blue ones for the eyes. Clear round and baguette rhinestones form the mane and continue downward to outline the bottom points. Simple sculpted features for the nose, black painted shadows, and red painted lips finish off the horses with some personality!
When paired together, the piece measures approximately 2.25" tall by 1.75" wide, by 5/8" thick (not including the pin back).
Suffice it to say that we have never, in over 40 years, had a scarab pin as nice as this one. It is a fabulous Victorian brooch that is executed in 18K solid gold and which contains actual Scarabs. The iridescence of the scarabs backs are really amazing and, contrasted with the beautiful gold work of the mounting, it makes for a phenomenal piece. It measures 41 mm wide, by 41 mm tall, by 10 mm thick and it has a tiny chain that allows it to be worn as a necklace, or a watch pin... very versatile. Everyone who claps eyes on it is amazed and fascinated. Maybe it has an ancient Egyptian curse on it! It is certainly worthy of a place in a "Indiana Jones" film. What a unique piece!
We, here at Father Time, are enamored of anything Elgin and this one is no exception. It is a six size, yellow gold filled, hunting case, 11 jewel, that measures 41mm in diameter, by 58mm from the bottom of the case to the top of the bow, by 12mm thick. It is a great crossover size that can be worn by a man or a woman. It is a little larger than a typical ladies pendant watch and slightly smaller than the large, so called, "turnips" that a Victorian man might carry. This size makes it perfect for today's clothing. The case is quite handsome and it has an un-engraved, raised cartouche just waiting for your family initial to be inscribed. The overall case design is still in great shape and the lids open easily. There is a reeded-edge bezel that surrounds the Roman numeral porcelain dial and it sports three blued steel hands. You can be assured that our head watchmaker has it running like the day it left the factory, way back in 1885, and our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with complete confidence.
The American Waltham Watch Company (later Waltham) is one of America's oldest watchmakers. They held forth in Roxbury and later Waltham, Mass. and were one of the giants of the American watch industry. They made millions of pocket watches, but not so many wristwatches, due to the fact that they only made wristwatches until 1949. They were in business at the factory until 1957, but only in order to re-case and sell inventory on-hand. As the wristwatch rose in its ascendancy, Waltham was on the decline and, consequently, there are not many extant from this period. This Waltham, however, was made circa 1943, when they were in stiff competition for the hearts of Americans, and were happy to help with the World War II effort. It is a handsome piece to behold, housed in a stainless steel, screw-back, case with bold Lume-filled Arabic numerals and hands. The Lume no longer glows, but it is all original. It has that perfect patination of an original dial and hands. This shows the mellow color that only time can create. If you look carefully at the 10 o'clock position on the dial (in one of the photos), you can see where the radium (when it was still active) has etched its shadow on the dial surface. This means that it sat for quite a while with the hands in that position and was unused. This is great news for us today. The less a watch was used, the more life it will have in future years. This watch also has its period-appropriate white gold filled chain link band that looks fantastic. The stainless steel case measures 30mm wide (not including the crown), by 36mm from lug to lug, by 12mm thick (including the crystal). The back of the case is marked with the ORD Corps USA designation. The movement is a spotless 9 jewel engine that our watchmakers have fully restored to like-new condition mechanically. You could own this scarce watch and be the pride of the neighborhood. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
The National Watch Company was the beginning of the famed Elgin Watch Company (the world's largest) in Elgin Illinois. Between 1864 and 1874, they operated under the National name and, only after that time, became the Elgin National Watch Company and then, finally, just Elgin. They were a giant in the industry and their legacy looms large. Since they were only operating under the National name for ten years, the watches from that era are getting scarce. This particular one is a beauty. It is an 18 size, measuring 54mm in diameter, by 77mm from top of the bow to the bottom of the case by 19mm thick. It is a 15 jewel, key-wind, key-set, full-plate watch with a gilded movement and a porcelain dial. The hands are very fancy for that day and age. Made from blued steel they are executed in a "Butterfly" form hour hand. The dial displays Roman numerals and a very large seconds bit just below the watch center. It is quite dramatic and running like all good Elgins should. Don't let this scarce early National evade you. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence!
Talk about an unusual watch... this is it. Many ladies' pendant watches were enameled but very few in a form that represents another object. This 18K Gold and Enamel "Jockey's Cap-Form Watch" is exquisite. To gild the lily, it also has its original "Jockey's Riding Crop Pin" that completes the entire theme of the piece. The Riding Crop lays across the "Lucky Horse Shoe" that sports 5 tiny rubies. From the horseshoe hangs a short length of gold mesh chain that ends in a clip used to secure the Jockey's Cap, but is removable. The overall length of the pin from the top of the horseshoe to the crown is roughly 90mm (3.6").
The cap is decorated with 3 sections of red enamel with a delicate scalloped pattern underneath. In the gold sections of the cap, the looped and dot design is executed in blue enamel. All of the enamel is in immaculate condition. Lines of texture engraved in the gold delineate the sections of the cap, as well as around the circumference of the brim/lids. It measures 27mm wide by roughly 32mm long (not including the crown or loop on the brim) by 17.5mm thick.
The top of the hat is a lid that opens to reveal the inner cover that is engraved with initials and "Dec. 3rd, 1892" which dates the piece exactly! The underside of the lid is stamped with the "18K" mark. It's a fabulous Victorian-era piece whose style still translates to today!
It was very gently treated over the hundred plus years of its existence and it has come down to us today in magnificent condition. It is worn with the underside of the cap resting against the chest, making it look like a very elegant gold & enamel pin. Once you lift it up, the dial is revealed and the object declares itself as a wonderful timepiece. The face features Louis XIV gold hands and a porcelain dial with ornate designs fired into it. The minute track features pyramidal markers in two tones: silver at the chapters and gold for the minutes. The black Arabic numerals are clear and easy to read, and an additional gold dot design in between the numerals ornaments them. Finally, a small gold radiating design around the center shaft adds some interest to the middle of the dial.
The only restoration that it required was a thorough cleaning, oiling, and regulating. It has a Swiss 10 jewel, cylinder escapement movement that is as beautiful as the day it was made. It is a "pin-set" mechanism and the crown sits at the back of the cap for easy winding. Our head watchmaker has it running like the proverbial top! Wow! This is one for the ages... don't miss it.
You may be familiar with the famous LeCoultre "Memovox," well this is the same movement but made to be carried in your pocket or purse and used while traveling, at your bedside. It comes with its own leather pouch to protect it when traveling.
It has a rotating inner dial that is set by the second crown and indicated by an arrow that points to the time the watch will alarm. Once you wind the separate mainspring to power the alarm function and set the inner dial, all is in ready until the appointed time. Once the alarm is triggered, it can be shut off by depressing the alarm crown and/or moving the arrow (on the inner dial) to a new position. Or, if you don't wish to use the alarm, simply let the mainspring power down. LeCoultre is a legendary Swiss watch manufacturer and everything they turned their hand to was perfection. Their manufacture 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, the first manufacture under one roof in the Valle de Joux. This is one of their really elegant watches and one that is becoming scarce... especially in 18k solid gold! In 1950, the manufacture released the Memovox, or the “voice of memory.” Its striking mechanism could be used as an alarm for waking up, appointments, timetables, etc. The first models were hand wound and equipped with the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 489.
In 1955, LeCoultre made this interesting pocket alarm. It is a stellar piece, which 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 one is a real classic... don't miss it!
The "Memovox" was first introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre, circa 1950/51, employing the manually wound, 17 jewel, Calibre 489. The name "Memovox" is a composite of two Latin word, Memor (remembering) and Vox (voice), meaning "the voice of remembering," an apt choice for a timepiece that "remembers the time". While we are quite jaded today by all the electronic devices that will tell us the time, that was not so years ago when alarm watches were quite the innovative personal possession. Make sure you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to get the real feel of the beauty of this wonderful watch. The yellow gold filled case measures 44mm long, by 46mm at its widest, by 11mm thick (including the crystal). You set the inner alarm dial by pulling out the crown in the eleven o'clock position and rotating the crown counterclockwise. You would position the triangular indicator opposite the time that you wished to have the alarm sound. You would also wind the spring that causes this effect by using this same crown. The crown that winds the timekeeping mainspring is in the one o'clock position and it functions like any other manual wind watch. Don't forget, all of our timepieces are warrantied for one-year, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.