This is a classic alarm clock made by Westclox of La Salle-Peru, Illinois and it has the great vintage look of the 1920s & 30s. The large case is beautifully chromed and the alarm bell sounds like a fire bell going off. What's not to like? The case measures 5.25 inches in diameter, by 7 inches tall, by 4 inches deep. With levers on the top of the case, you may choose a "steady" alarm or a "repeating" alarm and, of course, you can choose "silent" or "alarm", at your whim. This Model 1a was first introduced in 1918 and discontinued in 1935. The Big Ben case was improved to make it dustproof, as described in patent #1,300,278, issued on April 15, 1919. This dustproofing is accomplished by fittings around the set knobs, winding keys and the regulator. The iconic name was, of course, borrowed from the name of the clock in the Houses of Parliament in London, England. Truth be told, it is actually the name of the massive 13 ton bell that is heard all over London. Never-the-less, the name is legendary! With this clock, you can have your own piece of history that you will tend and wind on a daily basis. It has a 30 hour mainspring that will allow you to wind it every night before bedtime for 24 hours of timekeeping (plus 6 hours in reserve) just in case you have a late night. Our head clockmaker has restored this beauty to fully functional operation and the alarm is wonderful to experience. Don't miss it!
The Columbus Watch Company was making pocket watches in Columbus, Ohio from 1874 until 1903. As a matter of fact, Dietrich Gruen (later of the Gruen Watch Company) was the founder at the age of 27. He had developed a safety pinion (which prevented damage to the watch gears if a mainspring broke) and was granted a patent that same year. He started by finishing movements imported from Madretsch, Switzerland (a suburb of Biel...a well known watch-making area). By 1882, D. Gruen and his partner W. J. Savage began making watches locally and by 1884 were also making their own dials. This particular Columbus was made circa 1891 and is housed in a yellow gold-filled, 18 size, hunting case. It contains a full-plate, lever-set, gilded, 7 jewel movement with the famous "Patented Pinion". By 1894, the company went into receivership and Gruen started again as D. Gruen & Sons, emerging with the later fame of the Gruen Watch Company. This watch has such an interesting case, due to the mirror-like center design on both lids. This is surrounded by a fancy, overall floral engraving that gives a rich appearance. The front lid has an un-engraved cartouche and the back lid is centered by a single flower in full bloom. Is is quite unusual. The porcelain dial displays Roman numerals, a sunken seconds bit, and blued-steel hands. The set lever is at the 5 o'clock position and the crystal bezel has a reeded edge. Even the case middle is engraved with the floral design and the case lids snap down with real authority. Of course, our watchmakers have it winding, setting, and keeping time like the fine watch it was meant to be. Don't miss it!
Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will assure you of years of continued pleasure and service from this very nice Columbus.
We get a lot of Waltham Pocket Watches here at Father Time Antiques but, we have never had this particular model before. It is a "Seaside", 7 jewel, three-quarter plate, gilded movement that is in fantastic condition. We think that it was only used on a blue moon month and then every other year. Seriously, it shows such minor use that we have no qualms recommending it for acquisition by someone who wants a watch that is in great condition. The inner case dust cover is mirror-like and the engraving is as clear as it was the day it left the factory. The front lid has those intertwined initials that form an intricate design (a "B" and an "H") and the back lid has the most wonderful engraving of a lighthouse at the - wait for it - "seaside". Both of these lids have floral and woodland engravings that cover 90% of the available space and each has a reeded lid edge. The lids are simply fantastic in their design and condition. The 6 size, yellow-gold filled case measures 41mm in diameter, by 58mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 13mm thick. For a watch made circa 1885, this one is stellar.
It winds, sets, and keeps time just as it should! Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with peace of mind.
The Elgin Watch Company had a great sense of what the public wanted and how to make those watches that filled the bill. This ladies' solid gold, "O" size hunting case really hit the nail on the head. It was elegant and unobtrusive and it added just the right touch to a lady's costume, circa 1897. The 14k solid gold case measures 36mm in diameter, by 49mm (from the case bottom to the top of the bow), by 11mm thick... just the right size to wear on a slide chain or on a watch pin. It is a 7 jewel (typical for a ladies watch at this time) and it bears the inscription (on the inner dust cover) "Cora Partlow from Grandpa January 17, 1897"... if only they could talk and tell us what they had seen in the late 1890s. The porcelain dial is beautiful in its simplicity and is contrasted by the delicate blued steel hands. This is the only one we have had the pleasure to own with these fascinating concentric circles as the case design. The cartouche has the letter "N" engraved in script on the front case lid. So it's perfect if your name is Nancy, Norma, Nina, Natalie, Nellie... well you get the idea! Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence.
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 15 jewel, three-quarter plate, nickel movement in a yellow gold-filled, 16 size hunting case measuring 47mm in diameter, by 41mm from the bottom of the case to the top of the bow, by 8mm thick. The watch has been lovingly cared for since 1910 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 Arabic 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 cartouche has the original owner's initials engraved in a very fancy script that appears as an integral design of the watch. 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!
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 Waltham is a 21 Jewel, "Crescent Street", adjusted to temperature and 5 positions. It is a lever-set, yellow gold-filled case, double sunk porcelain dial (with bold Arabic numerals), railroad watch that measures 51mm in diameter, by 62mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow, by 18mm 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 16 size railroad pocket watch! It is running well within railroad standards, just as it should, and the engraved bezels (front and back) give it a handsome look. There is minor brassing on the case back high points but it does not detract. This 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 Rockford Watch company held forth from 1873 until 1915, a fairly short time in the history of watch factories, but they really made their mark due to their quality pocket watches. They only made 1,000,000 watches over that time period. So, there are not many about, today. The factory started with machinery that they purchased from the Cornell Watch Company and, at their zenith, employed about 400 workers. There is a contemporary account of production being about 70 watches a day with a sidebar saying that they were behind in their orders. By 1888, they had increased production to 150 per day and by 1901 they were re-organized with plans for increased production, but there were many impediments in the way. On September 26th, 1903, their 100 foot tall brick chimney was struck by lightening damaging a 40 foot section and causing a ton of bricks to fall and break out the windows on the north side of the building, were light was admitted for the benefit of those workers who were assembling watches. A Miss Carrie Hensel, who was an employee of the train department, "was taken home in serious condition on the verge of nervous prostration." A machinist by the name of Mr. Braconian said "his apron was torn off during the excitement" and that "he was stunned for a short time." By 1915, it was all over. The downturn in the watch market contributed to their demise, as did many other factors, but while they were in business they were a well-respected company who made great watches.
This particular Rockford is an 18 size, circa 1880, 11 jewel, coin silver, sidewinder, which is in a 59mm diameter case that is 23mm thick (including the crystal) and is 84mm from the bottom of the case to the top of the bow. It is massive... what one of the old-timers would call a real "turnip." Our master watchmaker has it performing just as it did way back when... a testament to their engineering. Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence.
Orvin was a Swiss brand that was exclusive to the Sears retailer, starting in about 1951. The name comes from the Jura region of Switzerland, where there were many watch manufacturing concerns. We have had both gentlemen's and ladies' Orvin watches and they are very reliable performers.
This particular ladies' Orvin is a rounded diamond shape yellow gold-filled case with a stainless steel back for wearing longevity. It measures 16mm wide (without the crown), by 29mm lug to lug, by 8mm thick (including the crystal). It contains a Swiss 17 jewel movement in good condition that could last for generations to come! It is paired with a 10k gold-filled expansion bracelet for ease of wearing. Here is a great looking Orvin for very little dough and, with our one year warranty for parts and labor, it is an even better bargain.
Many ladies' wristwatches are kind of ho-hum, but not this Swiss Credos beauty! Its styling is evocative of the era of "Big Fin" automobiles and dramatic styling circa mid-1950s. It is executed in 18k solid rose gold and is the only one of these that we have ever had. The case measures 19mm wide (not including the crown) by 41mm lug to lug, by 8mm thick (including the crystal). The 17 jewel movement is in fantastic condition and our head watchmaker has it setting, winding, and keeping time just as it should.
Make sure you take a gander at the "Zoom-In" views to see the spectacular lugs on this one. They sweep your eye away from the main body of the watch with three elongated lobes on either end. These lobes form the curved lug body which is drilled to contain the thick rope cord band that gives it the ultimate vintage look. Everything about this watch is wonderful... from the design, to the performance of its movement! If this one appeals to you, grab it up... you will probably never see another as they are scarce! Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence.
Gruen was the inventor and innovator of the watch called "Curvex" and they produced many different models of the "Curvex" for both men and women from the mid 1930s through the 1940s. The ladies' models are harder to find today, but just as interesting as the gentlemen's models. The "Curvex" models were not only visually appealing, but they were also ergonomic in shape. A little known fact is that the curved movement allowed Gruen to fill more of the curved case with the movement, as opposed to using a smaller flat movement. Many other companies attempted to create similar curved case watches, but could not duplicate the movement technology due to strict patent infringement laws. In the Gruen "Curvex", this made for a larger balance wheel, bigger mainspring, etc., which meant greater reliability for the wearer.
While the curve is not as dramatic in the ladies' version, it still carries Gruen's quality and attention to detail. This Ladies' watch is known as the "Curvex Duchess" model. It has a 14K yellow gold-filled case with a 17 jewel "Precision" manual-wind movement that our head watchmaker has lovingly restored to factory standards for timekeeping. It is winding, setting, and running with great ease.
The original dial has applied gold Arabic numerals and is cream colored with some patina. The overall effect does not detract, but beautifully shows the true vintage of the piece. The case measures 12 mm wide (not including the crown), by 38mm lug to lug, by 6.5mm thick in the center (including the crystal). It has a matching 12K yellow gold-filled bracelet that suits it to a "T". These are getting hard to find...so, don't miss it if you think this is the one for you!
There aren't many ladies' wristwatches that really fit the bill when it comes to Art Deco stainless steel watches... but this one does! It is a beautiful piece with a Swiss, 15 jewel movement and a stainless steel case that has a very dramatic lug design. The case measures 16mm wide (not including the crown), by 41mm lug to lug, by 10mm thick (including the crystal). The profile of the case, seen in the side-view photo, is quite impressive in its presentation and is highlighted by the very curved "Hi-Dome" crystal.
The sculpted lug design is to die for, as is the two-tone dial with its rose gold dial center and outer minute track centered by a silvered chapter square that displays the cardinal Arabic numerals with dots at the intervening chapters. Even the crown is special, with the shape of a derby hat. The black cord band suits it to a "T" and can be custom fit to your wrist quite easily. The movement is as clean as a whistle and running great! This is simply a wonderful ladies' art deco watch from the late 1930s that can be yours. Our famous one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence... don't miss it!
As many of you that visit our site regularly already know, we are very fond of Gruen watches and are always pleased to locate one in great shape that has a bit of pizzazz to it. Here is such a find! This 17 jewel, 14k solid gold ladies' Gruen is in wonderful condition and running like the proverbial top. It's serial number dates the movement to 1950. It measures 16mm in width, at its widest (not including the crown), by 27mm lug to lug, by 7mm thick (including the crystal).
This was a presentation watch for loyal service which was the norm back-in-the-day. It is engraved on the reverse with the following: "Presented to Tobie Altmaek for 5 years of loyal service 9-28-64". We always think that this is a big plus, because it nails down the date of the watch's first owner and also carries with it a sense of history, even if we don't know his or her story. Being solid gold adds to the value and longevity of the presentation. Make sure you notice the "Shield" shape of the dial and the bezel... it is what makes this one a stand-out. Our one-year warranty will allow you to put this one on without any trepidation about its performance.