Benrus is often underestimated as a brand. They made really nice watches (as you can see here), but are often overlooked in favor of more expensive ones. We think this is a tragedy, because Benrus watches are great looking and well-made!
This particular Benrus has a highly engraved "clipped corner case", typical of the Art Deco period. The case is 18k solid white gold while the band is white gold-filled. The case measures 17 mm wide (not including the crown), by 32 mm lug-to-lug, by 8 mm thick (including the crystal). The crown is graced with a blue sapphire cabochon that really compliments the plume shape blued steel hands. The silvered dial is in great shape, with the proper patina we'd expect of a watch this age. It has an interesting engraved dial center that echos the case engraving.
The band is almost harder to find than the watch, but it really makes the look sing. It is an expansion band with a pierced floral motif on the links and that fits about a 6" wrist, with some additional expansion available. There is some brassing, which shows that it was worn and loved, but it doesn't detract from the overall effect. In my imagination, I can conjure a Flapper from the 1920's sporting this watch to pair with a fabulous dress. Our watchmakers have this 15 jewel beauty winding, setting, and keeping time just the way Benrus intended 100 years ago. For not much dough, this cool solid gold watch can reside on your wrist and be kept for generations to come. Remember, all of our watches come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you can buy with confidence.
Gruen is one of our favorite brands here at Father Time and this watch is representative of why we are enamored of this company. First, the shape is a classic square with a slight beveled bezel at the corners. Secondly, the dial is the model of subtle design. It sports a beautiful silvered dial with a satin finish and a slightly-recessed seconds bit (at the six o'clock position) that has a "gun sight crosshair" configuration. There are elongated "parallelogram" applied hour markers in between the Arabic numerals at the cardinal points, all in a matching gold-tone. They are perfectly complimented by the "dagger" hands, for a clean look that is easy to read.
The yellow gold-plated case (with stainless steel back for wearing longevity) measures 28 mm wide (not including the crown), by 34 mm lug to lug, by 10 mm thick (including the crystal). The Cal. 415R, 17 jewel movement is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did way back in 1969. It is a manual wind movement with a 41 hour power reserve. By this time, Gruen was manufacturing all of its watches in Switzerland, although its heritage as a great American watchmaker was still well known.
This "Precision" watch is a great timekeeper that you will be able to rely on every day. Here is a really nice example of Gruen's later production that won't break the bank. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor, will allow you to own it with confidence.
The Ball name is legendary in the Railroad lexicon of great watches and great American watchmakers. "Wear a Ball and Time Them All" was the tag line that Ball used for their Railroad pocket watches... and it stuck. As a matter of fact, when they were producing pocket watches, they were so dependable that the phrase "On the Ball" was coined as a reference to their accuracy.
When the pocket watch was in decline, there was still a need for very accurate timepieces and that is why a line of Ball Railroad wristwatches were developed. Their attributes are very similar to the Railroad pocket watches in that they had to be very readable and very accurate. This watch certainly fills the bill with its white enamel dial, black hands, red sweep second hand, and 25 jewel automatic movement. The bold Arabic numerals are also a feature that we saw on earlier pocket watches for ease of reading, along with the minute track along the outer edge of the dial. As an added reference, an inner track of red Arabic numerals specify the time according to the 24 hour clock -- a feature not commonly found on similarly styled pocket watches.
The script "RR" logo underneath the 12 o'clock position is now the Ball "railroad" logo. The "Official Standard" words above the 6 o'clock position speak to the history of when Webb C. Ball implemented the first widely accepted system for regulating timekeeping for the industry in 1891.
To speak to the watch's accuracy, notice the 25 jewel automatic movement that is running like the proverbial top. It is a high-grade Swiss movement that was adjusted in 5 positions to account for the physical variations the watch is likely to see throughout the day. It also has a "hacking seconds" feature to allow for precise time coordination. Its inner cover inside the case back also helps to seal the movement and protect it against particulates.
The handsome brushed stainless steel case measures 34 mm in diameter (without the crown), by 40 mm lug to lug, with a thickness of 11 mm. Its "cushion case" style certainly speaks to its 70's origins while still maintaining modern appeal. We have fitted it with an 18 mm stitched and padded black shark skin band for wearing longevity.
With our one year warranty for parts and labor you can buy with confidence and this cool "Ball Trainmaster" can be yours!
Gruen was a premier watch manufacturer and was, perhaps, one of the companies that you wanted to emulate if you were in the business of making wristwatches. Everything they put their hand to was first-rate. They were the inventors of the "Curvex," a revolutionary, curved watch from the late 1930s. Gruen held the patent on the curved movement, but they also made fine timepieces that contained flat movements.
This Gruen is their Doctor's Watch that has the same movement that Rolex used in their Doctor's Watch. Gruen had a factory in Switzerland in conjunction with Rolex where this watch came to life way back in 1938. This factory made movements for both brands. This tells you something about their quality and strict standards. This 10k yellow gold-filled case is in great condition showing only the most minor handling wear. It measures 21 mm in width (not including the crown), by 44 mm from lug to lug, by 9 mm thick (including the crystal)... a nice size for a vintage watch! This is a very handsome Gruen that looks fabulous. The seventeen jewel, Swiss movement is in fantastic condition and our head watchmaker has it setting, winding, and keeping time just as it did when new, over 85 years ago.
It has a spectacular matte, white dial with contrasting gold Arabic Numerals that give this watch great eye appeal and makes the time easy to read. Also, notice the enlarged seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position: it was so the doctor could take a pulse easily. We have had a few of these watches in our 44 years in the business, but not one as nice as this one. Don't miss it! Our one-year warranty for parts and labor, will give you the peace of mind that this wonderful Gruen wristwatch will perform the job for you while it looks great on your wrist!
During WW2, there was a great need for tool watches that met the rigors of harsh environments, both on land and in water. To meet this need the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Ships (BUSHIPS) opened up a contract bidding process that would require a particular manufacturer to produce a "dive" watch. There were three manufacturers that answered the call: Elgin, Bulova, and Hamilton. These three were already producing the A-11 watches that were employed by the military. Now the conundrum was how to make it waterproof. They cleverly met this challenge by fusing the bezel and crystal to the case and by adding a screw-down "cap" to cover the crown. This not only protected the crown, but it also sealed it against water. This became known as the "Canteen". It was used by the UDT teams during WW2 and by Navy personnel in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It became the first ever "Diver's Watch" that was mass produced. This became the foundation of all future dive watches.
The one we have on offer here is in wonderful condition and is running like the proverbial top. The stainless steel case measures 32 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 40 mm from lug to lug, by 15 mm thick (including the crystal). It houses the original 17 jewel Elgin movement that is in great condition. The manufacturers were not allow to have prominent markings on the dials so they blacked out the company name and the watch designation. If you hold the watch to the light at just the right angle you can read "ELGIN" just below the 12 and "USN BUSHIPS" just above the 6.
The case back also has the "USN BUSHIPS" marking. Once the case back is removed you will see an inner pressure dome that protects from water ingress. You will also see how pristine the movement is. This watch was destined for the Korean war but bears none of the wear, or damage, we normally see on these watches. It is almost like it has been preserved in like new condition for your wrist. We have only one so don't miss it. Our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
The Ernest Borel "Cocktail" watch was first introduced in 1953 and became their best-seller in the 1960s. It has a kaleidoscopic system of rotating dials that mesmerize the onlooker. There were a variety of case styles and patterns including "Sunburst", "Starburst", "Flower", and "Arrows". This particular watch has a yellow gold-plated case with a stainless steel back and the original "Sunburst" kaleidoscope pattern. You may even recognize this model from its appearance in the TV show "Only Murders in the Building" as the watch Steven Martin's father owned!
Borel has been in the business since 1856 and held forth in the Asian market until the late 1940s, when it was casting around for a new market due to the Chinese Civil War. The Communist takeover in 1949 meant the end of their business in China and they moved into the American market with a real purpose. In the 1960s, the hippies wanted this "psychedelic" watch that was so "Far Out Man!" The ladies' watches were the first ones produced, but the men wanted a version that they could wear. So, Borel obliged and produced the watch we are offering here. Many tourists came home from their vacation wearing their new "Cocktail" watch and were the envy of all the neighbors. You could even buy them at duty-free ports and on-board many cruise ships!
The watch's case measures 32 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 41 mm lug to lug, by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). The dial is a black gloss with bright red contrasting hand tips on the edge of the patterned discs. The dotted minute track to the outside of the kaleidoscope discs allow you to easily read the time without distracting from the over-all style. Just within the minute track, "ERNEST BOREL" is written at the 12 o'clock position and "Cocktail" at the 6 o'clock position. The rectangular applied chapter markers along the outside are executed in gold and are suspended in three dimensional beauty, with the 12, 3, 6, and the 9 o'clock positions being slightly wider than the rest. The case lugs are stylized "L" shapes that really emphasize the roundness of the case by their embrace. There is a debossed mark on the original crown from the stylized "EB" script logo.
To make it even better, this watch has an automatic, 17 jewel movement that is in great condition. Our head watchmaker has it ticking just as it did back in 1965 and our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence. You've just got to see this one in action... it is spectacular!
Not only is this a fun watch to see and wear but it is also a high-grade 23 jewel, automatic! Having been in the business for over 44 years there aren't many watches that we have not seen, but this is one we have never had the pleasure to see, or own, before. We even have the original box, which shows the "Excellence Collection by Bulova" gold seal on the top.
The impact it has when you first see it is impressive, but once you put it on your wrist you will be hooked. The stainless steel case measures 38 mm in width (not including the crown), by 40 mm lug to lug, by 12 mm thick (including the crystal). The styling is so dramatic and futuristic for its era. The oval case is complimented by the original band stainless steel mesh band, which has black inserts on its surface that emphasizes the spectacular black dial. Diamonds sit at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions within stainless steel applied diamond shapes. The dial also has the advantage of a Day/Date window at the 3 o'clock position. Across the dial at the 9 o'clock position is the "Automatic" text and the "23" beneath the Bulova name references the number of jewels in the movement. It has it all and is in pristine condition!
Our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence. Don't miss it...we have only see one!
These are near impossible to find now in the correct case, with the correct movement! Because the original configuration is so desirable we are seeing a lot of pretenders coming into the market. This one is all original and has all the proper markings to make it a true Omega "Ranchero". And what a desirable timepiece it is! As you may know, we here at Father Time are high on Omega wristwatches and are especially pumped by this current addition to our inventory....the Omega "Ranchero". This is a watch to conjure with! Take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to really appreciate this killer wristwatch.
The stainless steel case, measuring 44mm lug to lug, by 12 mm thick (including the crystals), by 36mm in diameter not including the crown, is in very nice condition and it has the proper "Waterproof" markings and reference number. It sports a very nice "distressed" leather band which has an original Omega Logo buckle. The professionally refinished dial has the look of aged tobacco and, contrasted against the flat black dial surface, the markings have a creamy appearance which makes the "Arrowhead" hour hand look even cooler.
Just beneath the 12 is the Greek letter symbol that is the Omega logo and, of course, the Omega name. Underneath the name is the "Ranchero" designation in a neat script and beneath that you can see the "30mm", 17 jewel, movement designation. The hour markers are a great looking coffee color and are interspersed with thin minute hash marks. At the 12, 3, and 9 while Arabic numerals call out the quarter hours. Just above the 6 o'clock position is the sunken seconds bit that mimics the case shape. The movement is clean and functioning perfectly and bears the proper Cal. 267 designation. All these details are spectacular but it is the overall mystique of this "Ranchero" that calls to the prospective owner. Whomever ultimately wears this handsome watch WILL be noticed for their great taste and their understanding of fine timepieces. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
Hamilton was the best maker in America and one look at this watch will give you a clue to how superior they were in the market. This is a Hamilton "Cross Country" with a 17 jewel, high-grade movement that is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did when new circa 1957.
One look at the dial, and you'll see how this watch earned its name. The watchmaker sets the hour hand to your time zone (in this case Central Time), and the other arrows indicate the other time zones across America, as well as one for Greenwich Mean Time. When you set the time, you'll easily see the inner dial rotate along with the hour hand. Not only is the two-tone dial skillfully rendered, it also has a sweeping seconds hand on the central arbor. Gold "Dagger" hands are the perfect contrasting elements so that the time is easily read. Applied triangular chapter markers along the outer ring finish it off. Yes, this one has it all!
The yellow gold-filled case measures 34 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 41 mm lug-to-lug, by 10 mm in thickness (including the crystal). A stainless steel back gives you wearing longevity. Not only is this an extremely well-made watch, but it is a very unusual artifact that can now be displayed on the wrist and be right on trend. Our one year warranty for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence. We have only one!
This Gruen is one of the most desirable "Curvexes" ever made--second only to the "Majesty". The two similar models, called the "Majesty" and "The General", are respectively 52mm and 50 or 48 mm long -- the longest "Curvexes" in Gruen's history. Some call them the "Bone to Bone" watches as they stretch from one wrist bone to the other.
This watch, "The General", at 50 mm long, was very popular with movie stars of the 1930's, and is dramatic in its high-arching curve and graceful bowed, tonneau case. This particular watch has all of the dramatic curve of the "Majesty" (just 2 mm shorter) but with the gently curved case sides that make it look even more striking. It measures 22 mm wide (not including the crown), by 50 mm lug to lug, by 9 mm thick at its central point (including the crystal).
The original dial is dramatic, displaying ornate applied gold Arabic numerals on what was once a silver-colored background, but has now turned to a mellow gold color with patina. For the purists out there, this watch has great character! It shows a seconds bit above the 6 o'clock position that echoes the case shape, above which is written the word "Precision". The 14k yellow gold-filled case is in excellent condition and has no personalization to detract. The hands are "lunette" style and add a bit of panache to the entire piece.
The spotless movement displays 17 jewels and is in excellent running condition for a watch made circa 1940. It is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it should. Like all of our watches, it comes with a full one year warranty.
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 the "Lord Elgin" was their premiere product. It was produced in 19, 21, and 23 jewels. This particular Elgin "Black Knight" is very cool watch in more ways than one. First and foremost, the 21 jewel movement is a thing of mechanical beauty. Second, the "fish scale" black dial is an unusual textural element that adds a lot of interest, highlighted by the original conical crystal. Third, the stylized numerals are very unusual, and fourth, the curved hooded lugs are a very handsome finishing touch!
We also have the original box which is a thing of joy all by itself. It is lined with burgundy velvet and satin. It still even has the original "Black Knight" label and "What you should know about your Elgin" pamphlet to complete the set. A rare find these days!
If you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos you can almost see the point at the top of the crystal in the side shot. This pointed crystal gives the watch a very futuristic look. You will also notice that there is a symbol just below the Elgin name and this means the watch is fitted with an unbreakable "Durapower" mainspring....quite a feat back in the day. In short this is one killer wristwatch from the 1950s.
The case is 14k yellow gold filled (as stamped on the back) and measures 28 mm in diameter by 38 mm lug to lug, by 11 mm thick (to the top of the conical crystal). This handsome timepiece is in fantastic original condition, running like the proverbial top, and just waiting for a man's wrist to adorn. 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 an impressive pin that offers great versatility to the wearer. Of course it can be worn as a brooch, pinned to a lapel or blouse. However, the loop also allows one to hang it as a pendant on a necklace or to hang a watch from the bottom, creating a watch pin. We've shown it here paired with the Elgin Multi-Color Ladies' Pendant Watch.
The piece is made from sterling silver, with a clear mark on the back indicating it is a "Danecraft" piece, a brand that came from Italian roots and was established in Rhode Island. This brand was trademarked in 1938 and the mark was used post-1945, so is our best indication of the date of the piece. The pin measures 46mm tall, by 40mm wide, by 12.5mm thick (not including the pin or loop).
The central gem is an amethyst, cut in a faceted oval shape measuring roughly 21mm tall by 16mm wide. It has a beautiful clarity and warm, deep purple color that catches the light nicely. The curved, 3-dimensional filigree work in between the rope details around the bezel setting lets the gem stand out while allowing light through and providing an eye-catching level of detail. The curved forms on the outside finish the piece with a large oval frame that can be worn in any direction.
This is a beautiful, timeless piece that would feature nicely in anyone's wardrobe! It would even be the perfect piece for anyone born in February, with amethyst being their birthstone. Don't miss it, we have only one!