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 exceptionally nice displaying an unusual "Charcoal Dial". It is a 17 jewel, with a round white gold-filled case that measures 36mm in diameter (without the crown), by 39mm lug to lug, by 7mm thick. We have fitted it with an 18mm, dark brown, croco grain band that suits it to a "T". It is in excellent running condition and is representative of watches made in the late 1960's. You will go "Ape" over this watch! Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence!
The Lord Elgin was the pinnacle of the Elgin wristwatch line and they were made in 19, 21 and 23 jewel versions. They were simply the best the factory could produce and they have stood the test of time... no pun intended. This particular Lord Elgin is a very nice 21 jewel that is housed in a yellow gold-filled case with a faceted crystal that articulates like a roof with the peak traversing the width of the watch from the 3 o'clock position to the 9 o'clock position. It measures 23mm in width, by 37mm lug to lug, by 9mm thick, and it takes a 16mm band. We have fitted it with a nice, dark brown, croco grain band. The yellow gold-filled case bears a personalization on the back that says "Dick Charles 6-'43". It's a mid-1940s treasure that is running, winding, and keeping time just as it did back in 1943. The lugs protrude in a stylized "U" shape from the main case body for a unique look. Now, take a look at the spectacular dial. The main portion is a rich gold but this is set off by a narrow, silvered chapter band bearing the minute markings. It also has an inset seconds bit, at the 6 o'clock position, that mimics the shape of the case. This is a great looking watch that can be worn by a man or a woman, even though it started life as a gentleman's watch. It is a great watch for not much moola...don't miss it! It comes with our one-year warranty for parts and labor.
Surely, you have heard of Helbros... no? Helbros was a household name in America until the 1970s! They were a company that started by assembling Swiss movements made by other companies and they competed directly with Hamilton and Bulova for the American watch buyer. Today, Helbros is owned by Jules Jurgensen. They provide a very affordable and good value proposition for the entry level buyer. Helbros made some watches themselves but were much more of an assembler/marketer than a manufacturer. This is the reason that you can find movements in their cases that came from Switzerland, Germany, and France. The good news for the buyer today is that all of their movements were solid, well engineered, timepieces that one can buy at a very attractive price point. This particular Helbros is a very attractive seven jewel, yellow gold-filled, tonneau shaped wristwatch with a stainless steel back for wearing longevity. The case measures 29mm in width, by 35mm lug to lug, by 9mm thick. We have fitted it with a brown 16mm snake grain band that seems to suit it to a "T". This is a great "entry watch" into the world of vintage wristwatches for a modest investment. Our head watchmaker has lovingly restored it to the same performance level it had back in 1936. Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy this one with confidence!
Bulova was a very prolific Swiss company that made great watches for which there are many parts still available. These were well-designed, not only from a cosmetic perspective, but also from an engineering standpoint. This is a really nice watch that, although it was originally designed for a gentleman's wrist, would likely be worn by a lady today.
It is a 17 jewel movement in a yellow gold-filled case with a very pale blue dial, gold stick hands, and a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position that mimics the overall case shape. The Arabic numerals and the "Bulova" name are applied gold, giving some added dimension and interest to the dial. Within the seconds bit, the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 are stylized to sit within the delineated sections. The rectangular outer track carries the black color through to the edge of the dial, providing minute marks with solid black squares at each chapter. The case measures 21mm wide (not including the crown), by 42mm lug to lug, by 7mm thick.
What's really unusual about this one is the lugs. They are centrally located, taking up about one third of the case width, and they hold a cord band through a central hole. The watch still has its original brown, leather cord that adds to the great vintage look. A very nice, elegant watch that will give you years of service, and our one-year warranty for parts and labor will give you the confidence you need when purchasing a vintage wristwatch.
Wow, what an unusual ladies' rose gold wristwatch! It is what we would call "retro" today. During the 1930s, the Art Deco style was in full bloom and this watch takes inspiration from the angular geometry and elongated forms of the era. Make sure you take a look at the "Zoom-In" views of this beautiful case--the shot of the side view tells the story perfectly. The case swoops up from the base to a plateau that holds 7 rubies at the top and at the bottom of the dial. On top of each of the lugs themselves sit three diamonds and, as if this is not enough, the entire case is 18k solid rose gold with a matching beaded rose gold band. The case measures 12mm in width (not including the crown) by 38mm lug to lug, by 10mm thick.
Now, take a look at the crystal... it follows the curved arch of the case and amplifies the look of the silvered dial. In addition to all of this, the Arabic numerals on the dial are mirrored gold. The 15 jewel Swiss movement is performing perfectly and our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence. We've never seen another like it!
Every once and awhile, a watch crosses our path that we have never seen before. That is certainly the case here. This is an Eloga Bracelet Watch. Yes, we have had this brand before, but never this configuration, and that is because it is a custom designed watch made from ladies' slide chain slides that adorned the slide chains for ladies pendant watches from the late 1890s.
The company had its origins in 1917, when Fritz and Hans Spahr started a watch-making concern in Lengnau in Berne, Switzerland - a very bold step in the midst of the First World War. During this turbulent period of history the Swiss watch-making industry continued to gain headway both qualitatively and quantitatively, and the timepieces produced by the Spahr brothers under the name Eloga gained in prestige.
Fritz Spahr junior became managing director after his father retired, and with the support of his uncle he displayed the necessary courage and perseverance required to build a new factory in 1941, in the dark days of the Second World War. Built near the train station in Lenglau, the premises were ultra-modern and met the demands of the increasingly sophisticated manufacturing methods.
It was not long before the younger Spahr’s solid training, professional skills and experience contributed to the growth and diversification of the company’s production of wrist watches. He mastered to perfection artistic and scientific timepieces, from sophisticated and sumptuously adorned ladies’ watches to high-calibre and complex sporting men’s watches.
It was in this era that the trade press named Eloga as one of the leading specialists in sports watches, with the diver’s model receiving particular acclaim. Fritz Spahr junior continued to guide the company with his customary brilliance and foresight until his premature death in 1965.
A Woman at the Helm
His widow, Grety Spahr, next took over the company’s reins, expertly shouldering all her husband’s responsibilities. With the help of daughter Gisela a new day dawned for Eloga watches, with the women offering more feminine and graceful Eloga watches. They ultimately launched the production of luxury watches for a more sophisticated European clientele.
Eloga, the Diamond watch
Allowing their imaginations free rein, the Eloga women designed and created innumerable elegant Eloga watch designs, from diamond-studded brooch watches to bracelet jewelry, like the one we are presenting here, containing a concealed timepiece. Eloga watches fascinated women across Europe and over the Atlantic and the emergence of infinitely more varied and daring designs garnered many adherents in the prestigious world society. The company moved ahead by using high-grade diamonds and other precious gems. Eloga became acclaimed for its unique collection of jewelled watches, while the longevity and reliability means that an Eloga timepiece is truly of timeless value.
When Father Time was first getting started, circa 1979, it was the fashion for ladies to collect Victorian Slides and have them made into bracelets. During Victorian times, ladies wore small pocket watches on a chain around their neck and the chain had a small slide that the owner could move up or down the chain to adapt to different collar configurations. This is where these slides came from. Some fashionable woman at Eloga wanted to combine the look of the Victorian Slide Bracelets to give this watch a unique appearance. This is the result. The Eloga movement is from the mid-1950s. The unique combination of these two styles have made a truly stunning and unique watch. It is also unusual because it is all 14K solid gold. There were many gold-filled slides but not too many 14K solid gold ones. So, the original hunt for these slides must have taken a long time. Take time to notice that the slides contain an amethyst, a cabochon coral, a ruby, a tiger's eye, 2 cameos, two emeralds, two garnets, and 4 seed pearls... what more could you want? The icing on the cake however is the spring loaded enameled gold cap that makes the watch into a hunting case (where the dial is hidden under the lid). It also has a unique framework around the watch head that sports 4 blue sapphires. The owner would lift the beautiful enameled portrait lid to reveal the watch dial. Once the time was discerned the lid would snap back into place covering the dial and the bracelet would be displayed with no hint of the watch evident. Quite dramatic! If you or your loved one wants something unique then this may be the watch for you. One one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
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 handsome, rectangular case houses a very nice, 17 jewel movement that our head watchmaker has running like a top. The case is yellow gold-filled and it measures 27mm, by 8mm thick, by 37mm lug to lug. The case is in good shape, showing only minor wear. The two-tone silvered dial is very unusual because it is contrasted by a yellow chapter column, Roman numerals at the even chapters, a seconds bit that echos the case shape, and gold baton hands. There is a scratch at the 10 o'clock position but it is, after all, the original dial. It sports a snake grain band that completes the look. For a watch made circa 1947, it is a real winner for not much dough. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
Gruen watches are top quality and this one is a cut above many of their other watches. Its unusual appearance is due to two factors. The slender profile and rose-colored dial combine to give a unique, Art Deco look to an easy-to-carry timepiece. It is also very thin for its era and, because of this, is classified as an "Opera Watch". This designation signified that it was easy to carry in a tuxedo vest while in attendance at the opera. It is a 15 jewel, Caliber 381 thoroughbred movement in a yellow gold-filled case with stylized gold hands and a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position. The case measures 39mm in diameter by 51mm from the bottom of the case to the top of the bow by 8.5mm thick. It also sports an oblong bow and a great, original dial with gold applied numerals, circa 1939. This Gruen is very unusual and scarce and it can be yours. Fully restored and warrantied. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
Elgin was the largest watch manufacturer in the world and when this solid gold Elgin multi-color hunter was made, circa 1918, in Elgin, Illinois and they were dominating the pocket watch market. Their popularity was due to the fact that they made a very reliable and accurate timepiece for a reasonable amount of money. This one is a 16 size, box hinge, that was carried traditionally by men, as it was the standard size for everyday use. The case is a 14k, solid gold, multi-color, box hinge, beauty that was the pinnacle of solid gold pocket watches. On the solid gold case lids you can see yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and green gold in a fantastic foliate design on the front cover and a multi-color stag in the center of the back lid. With the addition of the classic white porcelain dial, it makes for a winning combination! The movement, which is as clean as a whistle, is a 3/4 plate, 17 jewel, nickel movement, an engineering marvel, that is running perfectly. The porcelain dial is in excellent condition and is a good contrast for the blued steel, spade-style hands. Also, take note of the bow. It is what we term a "stirrup" bow that was very desirable. The case measures 48mm in diameter, by 66mm top to bottom, by 12mm thick. Remember, all of our timepieces come with our one-year warranty for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
This is one of the "Art Deco" 17 jewel, open face Howards that was made circa 1924. It has an original box and papers that are from the era but, do not exactly match the serial number. My guess is that there were two watches purchased and the boxes got switched at some time in the past because the serial numbers are so close. Nevertheless, it is an original box with original papers. It is a 12 size (measuring 46mm in width by 59mm from the case bottom to the top of the bow), white gold filled, "Extra" case (the thickest gold filled case made) and the case condition is wonderful. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did 100 years ago!
What really makes it sing, however, is the "Art Deco" silvered dial. It is just a thing of beauty that is doubly accented by the pierced, blued steel hands, the engraved pendant, the stylized numerals, and the unusual bow shape. This fabulous case contains a Series Seven that is in pristine condition. Howard has a sterling reputation for quality and this watch is no exception. We warranty all of our timepieces for one year, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence. It can be yours.
Howard was the Rolls Royce of American pocket watches at the end of the 1800s and they were the standard by which all other companies were measured. The Boston based E. Howard & Co. introduced the first "quick beat" train to American watchmaking and were also the first company to produce, and market, a stem winding watch in the U.S. as well as the first to adjust timing to all 6 positions. Yes, they were an amazing company who led the American pocket watch onslaught with great panache. By 1902, Howard was purchased by the Keystone Watch Case Company and they carried on the great Howard tradition. Their watches were marked "E. Howard Watch Co. Boston U.S.A." All their watches were cased and timed at the factory and came as complete watches only, unlike the earlier Howard company who contracted with as many as 23 different companies to fabricate cases for them. The production was terminated in 1930 after having made only about 650,000 complete watches. If you compare this total with Elgin, who made roughly 55,000,000 over 100 years of production time, you can see why the Howard watch is scarce today. This particular Howard is as nice as they get for a twelve size, open face Series Seven, 17 jewel. It sports Breguet style, blued steel, "Lunette" hands (including the second hand), Roman numerals, a porcelain dial, and a wonderfully simple, plain polish case that was the thickest gold-filled case made. The "Extra" designation that you can see on the interior of the case back lets the user know that it is guaranteed to wear permanently. Gold filled cases were rated in terms of years of wear provided. This is a yellow gold filled case that is real classic. Normally, one can see the year designations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years inscribed on the case but, rarely the term "Extra" which meant it was the thickest amount of gold that could be used while still having the more rigid base metal on the interior of the case. Very, very few of these cases were made, since it was a very costly proposition to produce one. Add to all of this the fact that the case is a "book style, swing-out" case in fantastic condition. We think that this watch was rarely used over its lifetime and you only have to look at the tiny, beaded rim on the case covers to see what we mean. The beading is still beautiful in its simplicity. This may be your chance to own a Howard that is easy to carry in modern clothing, stunning in its appearance, and in fantastic running condition. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
There were many Swiss pocket watches made but very few that had the good looks of this Coventry Sterling Silver, open face, key-wind and key-set gentleman's watch. It was made circa 1887 and it is still in fantastic condition. Maybe it was only used for special occasions or it was simply lovingly cared for. What ever the reason, it is all the better for us today. The sterling silver case measures 50mm in diameter, by 18mm thick and it looks great. The hinges for the front bezel and rear lid are solid rose gold and the case band (middle) is what we call a coin edge design so that you can grip it quite easily. The back lid opens effortlessly with the push of the button on the pendant revealing the winding hole and the original owner's name, John Carver. This watch was made for the English market and it bears all the correct hallmarks for purity, maker's mark, and date. The watch was made in Coventry by Adam Burdess and it is a high quality, fusee, tip-out, movement which displays the most spectacular silver dial that is adorned with multi-color gold embellishments. Make sure you zoom in on the photos to see how intricate the dial design is. Roman numerals surround the textured dial center where you can see a foliate arrangement in multi-color gold. This is a nice size, gentleman's, key-wind pocket watch that you will be proud to wear and show off. We have only one...don't miss it!