As you may know Elgin was the largest producer of timepieces in America and they were in business for 100 years at the factory in Elgin, Illinois. They produced a wonderful line of clocks, pocket watches, and wristwatches, many of which are still in use today. This is not only a testament to their technical prowess, but also to their classic styling. This particular gentleman's Elgin is the "DeLuxe," as you can see from the name on the dial. This one is quite elegant, not only because of its silvered dial and stylized gold numerals, but also because of the way the case embraces the movement. It is a 17 jewel (caliber 555) movement in a gold-filled case, sporting a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position, the shape of which mimics the overall tonneau case shape. The case measures 25mm in width (not including the crown) by 36mm lug-to-lug by 11mm thick (including the domed crystal). We have fitted it with a dark brown croco band to complete the look. The watch is in wonderful condition and is a size that can easily be worn by a man or a woman. Our head watchmaker has it running like the day it was made back in 1945. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will give you the confidence to acquire this elegant watch for you or someone you love.
Because of our proximity to the town of Elgin, Illinois, we have ready access to many watches that were purchased in Chicago, the hub for railroad transportation in the 1940s when a lot of freight moved by rail. Sure, Elgins were available all over the USA, but we had a hometown advantage. This proximity also has allowed us to purchase many original Elgin parts over the years from factory employees, local watchmakers, and jewelers as they went out of business. Consequently, there aren't many that we don't have original parts for and this fact bodes well for the future of many vintage Elgin wristwatches. I think we can safely say that we will be able to service your Elgin for a lifetime.
What? You don't have an Elgin? Well then, here is a great one for you. It is the Elgin "DeLuxe", a 17 jewel, yellow gold-filled rectangular watch with subtle tonneau sides. The case measures 22mm wide (not including the crown) by 34mm lug-to-lug by 9mm thick, including the height of the crystal. We have fitted it with a nice dark brown, smooth leather strap that suits it well. The dial has a beautiful creamy colored background that has aged perfectly and which provides a nice contrast for the applied gold Arabic numerals in every position except for at the 3, 6, and 9. At the 3 and 9 position is instead just a horizontal line, adding some distinct personality to the traditional layout. The leaf shaped hands are elegant and easy to read. It also has a sunken seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position, whose shape is identical to the shape of the case.
Once you look at the photo of the movement in the "Zoom-In" views, you will see what great condition the movement is in. Our head watchmaker tells me that it has a perfect timing pattern on the Vibrograph (the timing machine). Although this is a gentleman's watch it could be the perfect size for a lady's wrist as well. At a price which won't break the bank, it is quite a buy. Don't miss it! Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will assure you of great performance for many years to come.
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 premier product. It was produced in 19, 21, and 23 jewels. This particular Elgin is a 21 jewel beauty that is very cool watch in more ways than one. First the 21 jewel movement is a thing of mechanical beauty. Second, the original cream colored dial has a great patina due to age. Third, the stylized Roman numeral "12" is very unusual with alternating arrowhead markers and squares. Lastly, the swooping lugs and domed crystal are very handsome. If you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos you can see a slight pitting of the dial, due to age - a sure sign that it is original. This gives the watch a very vintage 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. The seconds hand revolves once a minute and the shape of the seconds bit mimics the shape of the case. In short, this is one killer wristwatch from the late 1940s. The case is yellow gold-filled, measuring 21mm in width by 35mm lug to lug by 10mm thick (including crystal) and it is running like the proverbial top. This handsome timepiece is in fantastic, original condition and just waiting for a 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.
Movado is a Swiss manufacturer known for its Museum Watch. Designed in 1947 by Bauhaus-influenced artist Nathan George Horwitt, the watch dial has a very simple design where the dial is defined by a solitary dot at 12, symbolizing the sun at high noon, but Movado also made some very nice solid gold dress watches that are of superior quality... this is one of those. It is an 18k Solid Gold, gentleman's wristwatch that is "Chronometer" rated, indicating that it has passed rigid standards for accuracy. It is, in fact, at the pinnacle of mechanical watches in a world where few qualify for this mark.
Some Movado watch models have Esperanto names such as Bela ("beautiful"), Belamodo ("beautiful fashion"), Fiero ("pride"), Brila ("brilliant"), Linio ("line"), and Verto. The company's name means "movement" in Esperanto.
This Movado has the high grade, 28 jewel "Kingmatic" movement with the model name just above the 6 o'clock position indicating that it is an automatic (self-winding) watch. Another neat thing is that has a date feature at the 3 o'clock position. The case which measures 36mm in diameter, by 41mm lug to lug, by 8mm thick, is 18k solid gold which is a beauty to behold... it is a very handsome watch! To gild the lily we have fitted it with a luxurious dark brown genuine crocodile band that really suites it. Here is a solid gold watch, in a nice size case that is a top quality performer for a very reasonable price when you compare modern watches of the same quality but at twice the price. This would be a great watch to wear "In The Heat of the Night"!" Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence.
The Wittnauer Co. had a longstanding relationship with Longines that endured until 1936. We think that the brand is one that is often overlooked, but this is a big mistake because they made very nice watches like the one we are offering here. The Wittnauer family sold their interests in 1936 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 no exception. It is a 17 jewel, rectangular case, with stepped lugs. The yellow gold-filled case (with a stainless steel back) measures 27mm in width (without the crown), by 38mm lug to lug, by 8mm thick. It takes a 16mm band and we have fitted it with a very nice dark brown, handmade, Louisiana crocodile beauty. The case sides are very slightly curved to give it a tonneau appearance and it has a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position that is a recessed square shape. The Arabic numerals are applied gold that stand proud of the silvered dial surface. The gold baton hands complete the look. Made in 1950 it exemplifies the age. Our watch makers have it well within factory specs so that it winds, runs, and keeps time just as it did circa 1950. Our one-year warranty will assure you of years of reliable service.
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.