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!
Elgin produced watches in Elgin, Illinois (a Chicago suburb), for over 100 years. They were the largest and most prolific of the American manufacturers and everything they turned their hand to was well made and, as a testament to their prowess, there are many Elgins still ticking away, today. This gentleman's Elgin is one of them and what a handsome case and dial configuration it has. This is what we call a "Tonneau" case, due to its shape. It houses a seven jewel movement that our head watchmaker has running like a top. The case is a three-part, yellow gold filled and it measures 28mm, at its widest, by 22mm, at its thinnest, by 37mm lug to lug. The case center shows off some fancy engraving that carries the theme of the engraving on the case front. The silvered dial is very nice and is contrasted by very stylized blued steel hands. It sports a black, lizard band that completes the look. For a watch made circa 1932, it is a real winner. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
We here at Father Time Antiques are very lucky in that we currently have two Hamilton "Top Hat" diamond dial watches! It is rare for us to get even one within a ten year period. The case is 14K solid white gold and measures 38mm long by 25mm wide. It has a dramatic diamond dial markers with diamond encrusted numerals at the cardinal points. Additionally, it has a row of 5 diamonds just above and 5 diamonds just below the dial opening. This is really a spectacular statement on the wrist!
Hamilton made some very dramatic looking watches in the 1950s and this one is exceptional for its era, circa 1954. 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 slash set diamond markers with solid white gold bezels at all of the other chapters. The unusual case measures 38mm lug to lug, by 25mm wide by 9mm thick (including the crystal). 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. 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 left the Hamilton factory at Lancaster, PA. The movement is a 22 jewel caliber 770 that is a joy to see as the balance wheel oscillates. 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.
Don't cry for me... I have a really cool gentleman's Cyma watch! Its chrome case measures 38mm in diameter. The manual wind movement has 15 jewels and is in perfect condition. Don't know about Cyma, then let's hear from the company itself:
Behind the brand of Cyma
1862-1902
"Fusing timeless elegance with contemporary flair, Cyma timepieces are the descendants of a long tradition of watchmaking that stretches back one-and-a-half centuries. The name Cyma has its roots in the French word “cime”, meaning “summit”, which, in turn, is derived from the Latin word “cyma”, meaning “a shoot”. It is a name that reflects not only the company’s constant striving for perfection but also the inextricable link with its birthplace in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland.
Initially, it was the harshness of the climate in the high valleys of the Jura – buried for more than half the year beneath deep snow and frequently cut off from the outside world – that gave rise to watchmaking activity during the long winters of isolation. During the 18th century, the efforts of the region’s industrious and ingenious inhabitants gradually led to the establishment of fully-fledged workshops for the design and manufacture of watches, and by 1780 watchmaking had developed into a process involving 30 distinct operations.
Inheritors of the horological gene that pervades the Jura, the two brothers Joseph and Theodore Schwob decided in 1862 to set up their own watchmaking company, Cyma, focusing much of their attention on avant-garde mechanical production techniques. Indeed, with its ongoing achievements in technical innovation, Cyma was one of the companies that made Neuchâtel the renowned centre of the watchmaking industry it is today.
Some 30 years later, the brothers went into partnership with a businessman called Frederic Henri Sandoz who had created a new watch company in Le Locle, another cradle of fine Swiss watchmaking. By this time, Cyma had established itself as a pioneer in the manufacture of intricate repeater watches, high complications and chronographs. The daily production was 150 pieces."
1903-1929
"From the early 20th century onwards, the company received numerous awards, notably for its prowess in extra-slim watches. In 1903, it was awarded the coveted chronometer certificate issued by the Neuchâtel Observatory for its invention of a new extra-flat lever movement fitted inside a pocket watch. Two years later, Cyma introduced the calibre 701 with a thickness of just 3.85mm – a remarkable achievement for the time. In recognition of its watchmaking feats, the company won first prize at the World Fair in Brussels in 1910.
Output, meanwhile, had risen significantly, with some 2,500 movements being assembled daily in the workshops. From 1915, Cyma’s highly skilled designers and technicians were elaborating shock-resistant movements of unparalleled strength, along with the first waterproof models, which were finished to an equally high standard.
During the 1920s, the company was at the forefront of component interchangeability, which enabled its workshops to produce watches on a much bigger scale. By 1929, Cyma boasted the biggest workshop in Europe and employed 2,000 people to assemble 4,000 watches a day. In the same year, the company received first prize at the International Barcelona Exposition."
1930-1959
"While men’s watches still accounted for the lion’s share of the business, in 1930 Cyma made an early foray into the ladies’ market with the Captive. It quickly became known for its elegance and precision, and was adopted by the legendary French writer, Collette, who was then at the height of her fame. She described the watch in her characteristic style: “It is a captive in the most romantic sense of the word... it is bought and sold. Sensitive and compliant, it yields if you handle it masterfully, revealing its face, divulging all its secrets, and each surrender simply adds to its charms...”
In 1943, Cyma unveiled its first automatic wristwatch, endowed with a 420 calibre featuring a unidirectional rotor. This presaged the ‘Autorotor’ 485 calibre of 1957.
The brand’s reputation was further enhanced with innovative products such as an eight-day mechanical alarm clock with single winding key (1945), the Sonomatic alarm clock (1957), and the gold Time-O-Vox alarm clock watch, which received official chronometer certification in 1956. The latter was the only one with the pleasant timbre of that period to ally a 464 calibre, 12 1/2 inch, with a single barrel and small second."
Wow! Quite a history and this is quite a watch. It is all original and has a great looking patina on the original finish dial. Our head watchmaker has the movement running like the proverbial top. This will be a reliable timepiece for many years to come. It is an oversize (38 mm in diameter) for its era, circa 1950. The understated elegance of the watch makes it a straight forward timepiece, but take a look at the double lug configuration in the "Zoom-In" photos it has a lingering reminiscence of the Art Deco era. Once you don this watch no one will be in doubt as to the vintage look it exudes. Our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence. Don't miss it!
LeCoultre is a legendary Swiss watch manufacturer and everything they turned their hand to was perfection. Their reputation and status 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, they were the first manufacturer under one roof in the Valle de Joux.
We here at Father Time have had a good number of gentlemen's LeCoultre wristwatches over our years in the business, but we have never seen this one before... and what a handsome men's dress watch it is! Raise a toast--this watch deserves it! It has a 14k solid gold case that measures 37 mm in diameter, which was especially large for the era and earns it the "oversize" designation. It has hidden lugs too, where the band ends are not visible, attaching out of sight. Notice the broad band of gold that surrounds the dial... no skimping here.
The silvered dial sports its original finish and it has a great looking patina that speaks to its age, circa 1955. It provides just enough contrast to the bands of gold -- even more so than are apparent in the photos! The applied chapter markers are a unique shape, with the markers at the 12, 3, 6, & 9 o'clock positions being distinguished as smaller teardrop shapes. The "12", "3", and "9" applied Arabic numerals anchor those cardinal points, where the round seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position echoes the overall round case shape. The inner band of gold between the chapter markings and the numerals carries plots of gold and functions as the minute track.
The 17 jewel, caliber 480 manual wind movement is in fantastic condition winding, setting, and keeping time just like it did when it was new. If you are looking for a really nice, solid gold dress watch then this may be the one that steals your heart! Remember, all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
The A. Wittnauer Co. was the exclusive sales agent for Longines, starting in 1880, initiating a marriage that would stand the test of 114 years. In 1936, the Wittnauer family sold their interests and the brand was renamed the Longines-Wittnauer Co., a name that became so burnished in the public lexicon that most people assume Longines and Wittnauer watches are one and the same. In fact, they produced different movements that were very individual to their brand. Wittnauer was a Swiss company that made very nice watches and this one is no exception. This particular model has what is termed a "hooded lug," where the band end is hidden under a cover that extends between the lug surfaces. This is a neat feature, but what makes it even more spectacular is the rilled case sides and the charcoal grey, textured dial with white gold, applied arrowhead markers and numerals. The case is white gold filled with a stainless steel back for wearing longevity and comfort. The 17 jewel movement is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it should and is in excellent condition. Now take a look at the segmented expansion band when you zoom in to the photos. It has black leather inserts in six of the segmented portions of the band for a very unusual look. This is a gentlemen's watch from the 1940s, but it would also look great on a lady who wants something just a little bit different. Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence. This is a great looking watch... don't miss it.
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.
Once in a great while, a watch comes along that makes the heart of an aficionado sing. The Gubelin company made a wonderful watch and this one is stellar among their production. It is a complicated triple date with moon-phase in an 18K solid gold case that was made for their best customers, circa 1954. The dial of the watch shows the date by means of a red tipped hand that points at the date indices just inside of the chapters. The day of the week is shown in a window just below the twelve o'clock position and, in a window next to it, is the month. The phases of the moon appear in a crescent just above the six o'clock position. There is additionally a central red sweep second hand. All of the complications can be advanced manually by means of buttons on the case sides. The case itself is a classic square with quite a bit of heft and stylized teardrop lugs. This complicated movement is running and keeping time like the day it was made. The movement is a 25 jewel automatic mechanical work of art. The automatic feature is great for wearing everyday and it ensures that this accurate time keeper is constantly wound and right on the money. The 18K solid gold case measures 45mm lug to lug, by 32mm wide, by 15mm thick. This is a real man's timepiece that was made for the guy that wants something special. Don't forget all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year parts and labor warranty!
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!
Vintage watches, from a variety of manufacturers, run the gamut from ordinary to spectacular, but it seems that everything Hamilton put their collective minds to came out great! We here at Father Time feel that they are the greatest of the US companies, bar none! In 1953, Hamilton introduced the "Carl." And this particular "Carl" is a real gem! It's all-original, too! Just look at the case and dial - they're nearly perfect. The lugs on this watch are cleverly scalloped to give the watch an elegant flair. The subtle two-tone dial has raised gold markers with only the noon position displayed as the number twelve at the top, while the other chapters are indicated by gold pyramidal markers and double dashes at the 3 and the 9! This unusual eye-catching design feature was only one of many that set Hamilton apart from the crowd. The case is gold filled and measures 24mm wide by 39mm in length. This watch was certainly not indicative of typical 1950s sensibilities, since it was the result of an evolution of design that came from the previous decades of careful study, rather than an attempt at kitsch culture. Take a look at the careful detail with which Hamilton executed this beautiful 17 jewel movement. The plates are handsomely damascened and elegantly engineered for several lifetimes of service. This is a wonderful vintage timepiece that can be passed on in your family for generations to come. Grab it while you can as it may be a long time before we see another one as nice!
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!