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.
You probably know by now that Elgin was the giant in the watch industry in America and that their product was superior to most of the Swiss imports that were flooding the market back in the early 1950s. The Lord Elgin was their best watch, and this one is a 21 jewel workhorse with a "Durapower Unbreakable Mainspring". This was quite the technical advantage at that time and a wonderful thing for us to have today. This is a very handsome, rectangular watch that will look great and perform beautifully for generations to come because it was well made and well cared for over its life. We have learned from the engraving on the back of the watch that Mr. George Boivin received this watch in 1953 from his friends at the I.C. (probably the Illinois Central Railroad) and no doubt he cherished it as the very special gift it was. The yellow gold-filled case measures 23mm in width by 38mm lug-to-lug by 10mm thick (including the crystal). The dial has aged beautifully to a light coffee color which is indicative of perfect aging and makes for a wonderful vintage look. Make sure you zoom in on the photos to get a good look at the movement and you can tell that it is spotless. Here's a great watch for very little dough that is in great shape... don't miss it! Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with wild abandon!
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.
If you were a resident of Lucerne, circa 1888, you might have noticed the opening of a new watch and jewelry store in your town, for that was the year that Carl-Friedrich Bucherer and his wife Luise opened the family business. It didn't take long before the Bucherer name was synonymous with quality and luxury. When they were established in Lucerne, they branched out to other Swiss cities and tourist destinations. Once Americans brought back some of their treasures from their trips abroad, the name was on the lips of others who wanted to partake. By 1977, the third generation of the family was in charge of this flourishing enterprise. In 2013, Bucherer celebrated their 125th jubilee by opening the world's largest watch and jewelry store in Paris. In 2017, there was the addition of four more boutiques in London. Today, Bucherer values its partnership with Rolex as one of its most important. They also value their reputation for high quality timepieces.
As a case-in-point, take a gander at this very nice 25 jewel, automatic, day/date in a yellow gold-filled, cushion shaped case with screw-down stainless steel back for wearing longevity. It is circa 1968, with a silvered dial that sports very dramatic gold block markers contrasted by rectangular blunt end hands and a central sweep second hand. The day/date feature is at the three o'clock position and it has a gold frame that delineates the feature. The case measures 34mm wide, by 39mm lug-to-lug, by 10mm thick. We have fitted it with a 20mm croco grain brown band that suits the watch perfectly. It is fully restored and warrantied for one-year 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 Hamilton Watch Company was founded in 1892 but they didn't produce their first watch until 1893. The first watch was designed by one of the companies founding members - H.J. Cain. Their pocket watches commanded immediate respect and became prominent timepieces for railroad engineers as well as the general public. The "Broadway Limited" was introduced in their first year of business! These watches were so respected that they became the official watch of the American Expeditionary Forces world-wide! A special wristwatch version was made and supplied General Pershing and his men in WWI. Admiral Byrd relied on the same watch on both his Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Auguste Piccard used a Hamilton timepiece on his balloon ascent into the stratosphere in the early 1930s. The first American to summit Mount Everest - Jim Whittaker - was wearing a Hamilton in 1963! Suffice it to say that Hamilton made the best American watches... bar none! This particular Hamilton "Whitney" was made circa 1931 and was one of only 3009 made in gold filled. How many survive today is anyone's guess. It was the first model that Hamilton introduced in 1931 and was named for the inventor of the cotton gin-another famous American who got his early training at the watchmaker's bench. The "Whitney" is a 17 jewel Hamilton, grade 897-F. The original list price was $67.50 which made it fairly expensive for the time although Hamilton said it was a moderately priced strap watch that would delight consumers. I think they were right! The yellow gold-filled case measures 30mm at its widest by 22mm at its thinnest, by 8mm thick, by 36mm lug to lug, and it is stepped in a continuous cascade around the tonneau shaped case. It has a recessed crown that gives it a more streamlined look. The silvered dial has a luster that it has earned over time along with the lume filled hands and numerals. We have fitted it with a very nice dark brown 16mm lizard grain strap so that it will grace your wrist with style. With a Hamilton "Whitney" on your wrist "it's a wonderful life!" Uncle Billy would like one for Christmas. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will assure you this "Whitney" is in great running condition as are all of our timepieces.
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.