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.
The "Pie-Crust" ladies pendant watches were all the rage, circa 1895, and they are still popular, today. Elgin, the world's largest watch manufacturer made this beauty in that year. It is a seven jewel, three-quarter plate (gilded brass) movement in a yellow gold-filled, hunting case that measures 38 mm in diameter, by 54 mm (from the case bottom to the top of the bow), by 11 mm thick. It is an "O" size that is perfect for wearing on a slide chain or on a watch pin. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did back in 1895. The watch sports an excellent, white, porcelain dial with Roman numerals and a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position. The blued steel hands have spade shaped ends that indicate the hours and the minutes easily. What really makes this one stand out is the "pie crust" case edge... it is spectacular... don't miss it.
We here at Father Time have a close relationship with Elgin watches just like you do with your home town 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 7 jewel, three-quarter plate, gilded movement in a yellow gold-filled, "O" size hunting case measuring 37 mm in diameter, by 51 mm from the bottom of the case to the top of the bow, by 12 mm thick. The watch has been lovingly cared for since 1896 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 engraving is on the case lid and back. The central design is that of a star with concentric circles of smaller stars surrounding the central one. It is quite unusual and dramatic. It is a very nice hunter that can be yours. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to enjoy it worry-free!
It was a very chauvinistic mindset to think that a lady wouldn't need to have her watch tell time as accurately as a gentleman's watch, but that was the conventional thinking (by men) back in the day. Bulova, however, didn't ascribe to that view as is evidenced by this very high-grade ladies' white gold wristwatch. It has a 23 jewel movement, which was their top grade and it is housed in a very nice 14k solid white gold case that measures 14 mm wide (not including the crown), by 26 mm lug to lug, by 7 mm thick (including the crystal).
Not only is it a high-grade watch, but it also has a very pleasant slight-hexagonal shape with beautiful central lugs. The silvered dial has a crosshatch pattern with some patina, but the eye is immediately drawn to the unusual texture! Adding to the interest of the dial are the applied chapter markers. They are all rectangular, but with wider ones at the cardinal positions and thinner in between. The articulated bracelet band is 10k white gold-filled with a safety chain for security in wearing. Made circa 1959, it has lived a life of complete pampering and, as a result, it is in fantastic original condition today. This may be the one for you... don't miss it. Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with complete confidence.
Produced between 1861 and 1871, the E. Howard series III is a very historical key-wind, key-set pocket watch. The total production was only 24,500. How many survive today is anybody's guess! Certainly there are not many left. On December 11, 1858, the Howard Watch Company was conceived for the manufacture of high grade watches. This particular watch is housed in an 4 ounce "coin silver" case and is running wonderfully. The "N" size watch is slightly larger than an American 18 size. The case measures 59 mm in diameter, by 86 mm form the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 16 mm thick (with the case closed). This 11 jewel beauty has a "Reeds Patented Barrel". On Feb. 4, 1868, Howard patented a new motor barrel that superseded the Reeds. The presence of the Reeds barrel places its manufacture between 1861 and 1868. The timing pattern on this piece reflects the precision one would expect from a Howard watch. The case shows signs of loving wear on the high points, giving it a mellow appearance. The central cartouche, on the front lid, is un-engraved and the back lid is plain polish. The porcelain dial is original to the piece and has a subtle repair just above the seconds bit. The original hands are blued steel and are quite elegant. The Roman numerals and the "E. Howard & Co. Boston" are elegantly hand-scripted just below the twelve in a small script. This is truly a definitive example of the watchmaking art form in America at that time. Here is an heirloom that your family can cherish for decades to come. Remember all of our watches come with our one-year warranty.
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.
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 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!