This exotic bird pin is a fabulous piece executed in sterling silver and multi-colored enamel. The head and tail feathers feature a bright turquoise colored enamel, tipped with cobalt blue. The wings have a gradation of 3 colors of purple enamel, which emphasize the curved nature of the piece. Marcasites adorn the top of the wing, the three curved feathers underneath the bird, and a single marcasite creates the eye.
This is a large pin, measuring 2.65" tall by 2" wide from feather tip to feather tip. More impressive, though, is the thickness of the pin created by the concave shape and layering of the feathers. It stands up roughly 0.65", giving real dimension and a sense of life that will leap off your lapel!
On the back, this brooch is stamped "STERLING" at the tip of one of the feathers. With some polishing, it will shine even brighter! There are 2 slight imperfections in the enamel on the wings, but luckily being in the dark section of the purple enamel they are only noticeable on close inspection. The timeless design is hard to date, but we think it could date to the early 1950s. This is a the perfect statement accessory for bird lovers or anyone who wants to be noticed! We've never seen another like it!
Do you want a well-made entry level vintage wristwatch that won't break the bank? Then this may be the watch for you! It is from the Clinton Watch Company who started out life in 1922. Clinton was founded by Hyman Wein, a Russian immigrant residing in Chicago in 1922 and named after an area in Chicago, and a ccounty in Illinois.
The movements were not made in-house, but rather reliable, imported Swiss movements which were then assembled and sold in the U.S. under the Clinton name. Their factory was located on South Wabash Avenue, and they assembled watches there as well as in the US Virgin Islands. In 1981, Clinton acquired Benrus and adopted their name, forgoing the "Clinton" brand for good. This may be why it is a lesser-known brand today.
The watch on offer here has a very nice Swiss, 17 jewel, manual wind, shock resistant movement that is running like a top. It is housed in a chrome over brass case that measures 35 mm in diameter (without the crown), by 40 mm lug to lug, by 10 mm thick (including the crystal). The case is showing some brassing at the lugs but is otherwise in good condition. The dial has a very nice silvered finish and the dagger hands are centered by a sweep second hand. All the even chapters are in Arabic Numerals while the odds are stylized, pointed, double markers. Here's a chance to get a piece of early Chicago history and one that speaks of its age. Our one year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence.
First, and most importantly, Omega is a great brand that has endured the test of time (no pun intended). Oversize, "Jumbo" Omegas, like this one, are very scarce and desirable. We constantly look for great examples. This one came from a private collection of a gentleman that took really good care of his possessions. It was a model made for the South American market and is a size rarely seen in North America, as it was not a size marketed to North America in any great numbers.
Not only is this Omega an oversize, measuring 38 mm in diameter (not including the crown) by 45 mm lug to lug, by 10 mm thick, but it also sports a two-tone silvered dial that is to die for. The inner circle is a reflective silver that can look lighter or darker than the outer ring depending on how it catches the light! It really comes alive when you see it in person--the photos do not fully do it justice. Minute marks edge the inner silver circle, and the large seconds bit takes up all the space between the 6 o'clock position and the center of the dial (very large indeed). The even chapter numbers are painted in rose gold Arabic numerals in the outer ring of the dial with applied rose gold triangular markers for the odd chapters. The applied rose gold Omega logo and rose gold tapered hands complete the look.
The 17 jewel, caliber 332, bumper automatic movement is in great condition and is running like a top. Our head watchmaker has completely restored this beauty so that it is winding, setting, and keeping time just like it did back in the 1940's. It will attract looks from your friends and acquaintances once you put it on your wrist. Our one year warranty for parts and labor will assure you of trouble-free performance. Why not own an interesting and historic Omega... it could be yours!
Back in 1917 two brothers, Werner and Ernst Schlup, decided to become watchmakers....a decision that would not only affect themselves but many of us in the future. They started out in their family home in Lengnau, Switzerland. They were energetic entrepreneurs and quickly negotiated agreements with a variety of importers from all parts of the globe. At the close of World War II their name was always associated with Swiss-made quality which gave them the impetus to launch their own brand. Rado ("wheel" in Esperanto) was born...and they never looked back. Their motto was "If we can imagine it, we can make it."
The atelier then moved from their family home to new digs at a purpose-built factory. First came the Rado "Green Horse" in 1957, then the Rado "DiaStar" in 1962, and in 1975 Rado's first diving watch, the "Captain Cook." Needless to say, by the time this "voyager" was made, circa 1977, Rado was a real force in the market.
This Rado is a 26 jewel, stainless steel, automatic with an unusual vertical day/date window located at the 6 o'clock position. The stainless steel case measures 35 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 41 mm lug to lug, by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). The black dial is spectacular and is contrasted by the Red Anchor Logo just beneath the 12 that oscillates with every move of your wrist. The day of the week is displayed in silver with Sunday being red. The date is in silver against a black background and it will change at midnight, but it can also be easily set by pushing in on the crown--a very nice feature!
The overall shape of the case is very retro 70s and makes for a striking appearance on the wrist. This watch is in such great condition that you will want to put it on your wrist immediately. Our head watchmaker only needed to clean it to bring it into perfect timing compliance. Don't miss it...we have only one!
Once and a while, a watch comes along that makes the heart of a true aficionado sing... this is just such a watch! While Tiffany did not make any of their own watches, they hired only the best-of-the-best to do just that! This wonderful oval ladies Tiffany was made by the prestigious Blancpain-Rayville watch company. The founder of the brand, Johan-Jacques Blancpain, initiated the manufacture of watches circa 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland. He was working out of the second story of his house in the present day Bernese, Jura. By 1815, Frederic-Louis Blancpain, the great grandson of Jehan-Jacques (the founder) modernized production methods that allowed serial production. By the second half of the 19th century they built a two-story factory by the river Suze, employing the water power (for electricity) to aid production. By 1926 they merged with Harwood and marketed the first automatic wristwatch. By 1932 the firm ownership had passed to two staff members who had been close to the family. It was then that they were obliged to change the name due to the law at the time. The firm would be called Rayville S.A. succ de Blancpain, "Rayville" being a phonetic anagram of Villerret. The identity of the manufacturer was maintained even though it was under a new name. This ladies watch came along in 1959 and was proudly sold by Tiffany. By this time, Rayville-Blancpain was producing over 100,000 watches per year.
Needless to say, this is a stellar ladies watch executed in sterling silver with an unusual hoop band that hooks and unhooks at the lug ring for ease of donning and comfortable wearing. It is in fantastic condition and even sports a blue sapphire cap jewel in the winding crown. The oval case and dial are stunning and quite unusual. The case measures 25 mm at the widest part of the oval (not including the crown), by 22 mm top to bottom (not including the ring lugs), by 8 mm thick (including the crystal). The blue sapphire atop the crown is the icing on the cake. If you wear this one in public you will attract envious glances! It is a real winner. Our head watchmaker has the 17 jewel movement winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did over 64 years ago....don't miss it...we have only one!
This is a very useful tool watch that bears the name "Astronaut Mark II". It has a 'Two Time Zone' hand where your home time or GMT can be read on an additional white hand Not only do you know what time it is, but there is also a date window at the 12 o'clock position and a very prominent red sweep second hand that is centrally located. The case is stainless steel for wearing longevity and it measures 34mm in width, by 40mm lug to lug, by 12mm thick (including the crystal) and it has an original "Accutron" marked 17mm black band. What makes it even more dramatic is the red and black contrast of the dial, the silver markers, and the red date! The "Accutron" is the world's first "tuning fork" watch, the most accurate watch of its day. The story is told that in the 1960s the American government wanted to keep this timing technology out of the hands of the Russians. So, they asked Bulova to keep it a secret a little longer since we were using this very accurate timekeeper in our space program. When you take a look at the informational pamphlet that Bulova put out to introduce this new idea to jewelers and watchmakers, it has a very space-age, cutting-edge look (for the day). In the pamphlet, it is explained that the seconds are parsed into very discrete segments by the vibrations of a small tuning fork at the heart of the movement. Bulova advertised it as the "watch that hums"! The general public was very much into innovative and stylish watches and Bulova made this very interesting "Astronaut" for space traveling men, women to strap on their wrists. So the next time you are "over the moon" make sure you are wearing this wonderful Accutron Astronaut! Our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence!
It was way back in 1886 that Edmond Mathey-Tissot began making complicated pocket watches in Les Ponts-de-Martel. He became known for watches of high quality, in some of the most complicated pocket watches made at that time, especially repeaters that chime the time on demand. He also began producing highly-rated chronometers and, during the Second Boer War, was a supplier to the military and that demanded his expansion of the manufacture. It is said that a Scottish nobleman ordered 2500 watches to give to every member of his son's regiment, with officers receiving solid gold repeaters and the other enlisted men receiving silver repeaters. Wow! What a gift!
In 1914, Mathey-Tissot was represented at the Kew Observatory Competition by six Observatory Chronometers capable of split-second timing, all six being rated 'Class A' with the comment "specially good." The same year, Mathey-Tissot gained the Grand Prix at the Swiss National Exhibition. During WWI, the company supplied the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with precision chronographs in large quantities, while General Pershing, commanding the U.S. Expeditionary Forces, chose the watch to award to members of his own staff. Both before and after WWII, the company continued to supply the U.S. Army and the Royal Navy. By 1937, the E. Mathey-Tissot & Co. was a protected trademark in the U.S.
So, as you can see, the company has an excellent pedigree and the watch we are offering here is the beneficiary of that long line of excellence. It is a wonderful stainless steel automatic from 1951 and it bears a personalization on the back that reads "Pete from Hal 1954". If only these watches could tell us the tale of where they had been, and what they had seen. The square case measures 32 mm (not including the crown) by 32 mm, by 13 mm thick (including the crystal). It houses a wonderful 17 jewel, automatic movement tha our head watchmaker has winding, setting, and keeping time just as it should. The dial is a handsome silvered beauty that really makes the look of this excellent timepiece. It has such a presence on the wrist that everyone who sees it will marvel at its appearance. It all could be yours. Remember our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
The Wakmann Watch Company was a distributor of Luxury watches in Portugal circa 1943 but made the move to New York in 1946, and began both importing and manufacturing high-end quality watches with an emphasis on Chronograph production. Their reputation grew when the American public realized that their watches were well made and very reliable. Their mantra was to provide "high-quality professional timepieces, combining modern design choices with dependable distribution to deliver quality products, backed by innovation, research and improved technologies". At this time there were substantial duties imposed on imported watches, due to the burdensome tax structure on the importation of Swiss wristwatches. Wakmann saw opportunity in their industry by partnering with Breitling, who supplied the brand with watch components to be given a final assembly, and later sold. Their success would lead to the supplying of timepieces for the US military and other professional issue applications, and an eventual Breitling buyout. Wakmann already manufactured aircraft cockpit clocks that complied with various US military specifications and was an official US supplier to the war effort. They supplied clocks to Douglass, Lockheed and several other manufacturers and airlines post war.
This wonderful military wristwatch has such a great look that you will want to strap it on the minute you get your hand on it. It is a 17 Jewel Automatic, Incabloc movement that is running like a champ. The stainless steel case measures 38 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 44 mm lug to lug, by 12 mm thick (including the crystal). The dial and hands have aged to that perfect mellow patina that is so desirable. It also sports a date window at the 3 o'clock position with numbers that alternate in red and black. The wonderful "lollipop" sweep second hand takes your eye immediately. This is a watch that you will be proud to wear. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did 74 years ago when it made its debut. Don't miss it...it is the only one like this that we have had the pleasure to own in our 43 years in business!
Lanier was a French watch retailer that used Glycine (Swiss) movements in their watches. This watch was made at the height of the Art Deco period when fashion and style were of utmost importance. Executed in 18K white gold and adorned with diamonds and emeralds, it couldn't be more attractive and stylish. The three-part case, which measures 14 mm in width (not including the crown), by 25 mm lug to lug, by 7 mm thick (including the crystal), is a stunner. It is the typical "baguette" style, but with a very art deco twist. The unusual dial aperture displays a pristine white dial with black Arabic numerals. The 13 jewel movement is adjusted to four positions (very rare in a ladies watch) and it is running, winding, and setting just as it did back in 1936. The black cord band can be sized perfectly to any ladies wrist and look spectacular! We have never had another one quite as attractive as this Lanier after being in the business for over 43 years. It can now be your prized possession. Our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to acquire this beauty without a worry. Don't miss it...we have only one!
This brooch is a real fun piece. It is both whimsical and elegant in design at the same time. The peacock is executed in sterling silver and is all hand made. It features the plumes in full array with inlaid enamel to give it the proper color and effect. The eye is a garnet while 23 rhinestones adorn the feathers, head, and feet. This wonderful pin also has a small ring just beneath the feet so that you may use it as a watch pin or you may attach an accessory chain. The piece measures 58 mm in width, by 30 mm tall, by 16 mm thick. It will be noticed when you wear it. Don't miss it, as we have only one!
The year 1957 was a landmark year for design. This is when everything that came off the designer's drawing board was unusual and it seemed like every other product that came along was futuristic in design. Such was the Elgin "Direct Reading" Jump Hour. These were made in three different cases, although the 21 jewel Cal. 719 movement was common to them all.
Elgin, the world's largest watch manufacturer, was on the cutting edge of innovative watch design. This was a time of exaggerated fins on automobiles and ducktail hairdos. So, Elgin designers wanted a watch that would take your imagination. They produced a series of what they called "Direct Readers". One was the rectangular shape that later became famous as "The Elvis", one was in a round dimpled case called the "Golf Ball", and this one is the round and smooth version in what you might call a "Chevron" configuration.
The yellow gold filled case measures 32 mm in diameter (not including the crown) by 9 mm thick. The surface of the watch has a smooth finish that is very reminiscent of "Space Age" styling of the late 1950's. It is a delight to wear and display on your wrist, and your friends will be wanting to get a closer look at how it functions.
Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and jumping just as it did in 1957. When you peer through the triangular window, just below the watch center, you will see a large number (the hour) with a disc of smaller numbers underneath the hour. This is the "Wandering Minutes" track that rotates to indicate the passing of the minutes. When the 60-minute mark is reached the next hour "jumps" into the window for yet another hour on display. The crucial test of the proper service for one of these watches is the sharp jumping of the hour disc when the hour changes. Ours jumps to attention just like it should. This one is quite spiffy! If you want a watch that you won't see walking up and down the street, don't miss this one. It is special! Our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
Everybody had their idea of what the future should look like in the 1960's! Bulova was no different.....except, they made the future a reality! Bulova was the leader in tuning fork watches and when the Accutron came to market there was nothing else like it in the world. The technology was amazing circa 1966. This is the watch that "hums"!
The watch parsed seconds by dividing time into vibrational intervals. This was accomplished by means of an electrically pulsed tuning fork. One tine of the fork had a small index jewel affixed to it that interfaced with an index wheel and moved it forward on the outbound excursion of the tine. A pawl jewel was used to hold the index wheel in place while the index jewel drew back for another forward excursion. The result was a seemingly smooth motion of the sweep second hand. It actually steps 300 times for every revolution...a truly amazing feat. We would all be wearing these watches if the quartz watch had not been discovered since these are the most accurate watches of their day.
This particular "Spaceview" (coined because you can see the movement and all of it's circuitry coupled with this "Space Age" technology) is in very nice condition and it is running like the day it was made. The yellow gold filled case is 33mm in diameter by 49mm lug to lug. If you want a watch that hums this is the one for you! Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor!