Once in a great while, a watch comes along that makes the heart of an aficionado sing. The Gubelin company made a wonderful watch and this one is stellar among their production. It is a complicated triple date with moon-phase in an 18K solid gold case that was made for their best customers, circa 1954. The dial of the watch shows the date by means of a red tipped hand that points at the date indices just inside of the chapters. The day of the week is shown in a window just below the twelve o'clock position and, in a window next to it, is the month. The phases of the moon appear in a crescent just above the six o'clock position. There is additionally a central red sweep second hand. All of the complications can be advanced manually by means of buttons on the case sides. The case itself is a classic square with quite a bit of heft and stylized teardrop lugs. This complicated movement is running and keeping time like the day it was made. The movement is a 25 jewel automatic mechanical work of art. The automatic feature is great for wearing everyday and it ensures that this accurate time keeper is constantly wound and right on the money. The 18K solid gold case measures 45mm lug to lug, by 32mm wide, by 15mm thick. This is a real man's timepiece that was made for the guy that wants something special. Don't forget all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year parts and labor warranty!
Vintage watches, from a variety of manufacturers, run the gamut from ordinary to spectacular, but it seems that everything Hamilton put their collective minds to came out great! We here at Father Time feel that they are the greatest of the US companies, bar none! In 1953, Hamilton introduced the "Carl." And this particular "Carl" is a real gem! It's all-original, too! Just look at the case and dial - they're nearly perfect. The lugs on this watch are cleverly scalloped to give the watch an elegant flair. The subtle two-tone dial has raised gold markers with only the noon position displayed as the number twelve at the top, while the other chapters are indicated by gold pyramidal markers and double dashes at the 3 and the 9! This unusual eye-catching design feature was only one of many that set Hamilton apart from the crowd. The case is gold filled and measures 24mm wide by 39mm in length. This watch was certainly not indicative of typical 1950s sensibilities, since it was the result of an evolution of design that came from the previous decades of careful study, rather than an attempt at kitsch culture. Take a look at the careful detail with which Hamilton executed this beautiful 17 jewel movement. The plates are handsomely damascened and elegantly engineered for several lifetimes of service. This is a wonderful vintage timepiece that can be passed on in your family for generations to come. Grab it while you can as it may be a long time before we see another one as nice!
This Westfield Driver's Watch was designed to wear on the edge of your wrist, so that could see the time easily with your hands on the wheel of your car. That way you don't have to remove your hands from the wheel when you are steering the car! The watch has a gold filled case with a stainless steel back that measures 27mm wide and 31mm from lug to lug. The Swiss movement has 7 jewels, and our watchmakers have it winding, setting, and keeping time like the day it arrived here from Switzerland, circa 1939. If you want an unusual watch for your wrist or collection this may be it. Remember all of our timepieces come with a one-year warranty so that you may buy with confidence.
This is one of the most progressive, asymetrical watches Zodiac made! Not only is it stylistically advanced for its time, it is also a mechanically advanced timepiece. The automatic (self-winding) movement has 21 jewels and is running just like new. The gold filled case is wedge shaped and measures 35mm at the widest point and 42mm from lug to lug. The watch has a gold-on-gold motif that carries all the way through the dial color. The mystery hour hand appears to be disconnected from the movement and has the appearance of floating around the dial. The center of the dial is actually a platter that rotates as it carries the hour hand creating the mystery. The crown is at the 2 o'clock position and displays the Zodiac logo. The watch has a stainless steel snap-back that makes it perfect for everyday wear. These watches are getting harder and harder to find in good condition and this one is a beauty. Don't miss it! Our one-year warranty means you get a watch in top condition with the most security available!
This is a gentleman's Touchon & Co. minute repeater, one of the best repeaters in the world! Touchon & Co. was a stellar Swiss company, started in 1907, that made high grade watches for the world's finest retailers. Tiffany was their largest client and they demanded only the best for their customers. They were not only one of the best watches produced but, since production ceased in 1921, one of the scarcest. Minute repeaters are, in and of themselves, one of the most complicated watches ever manufactured, and when one is as nice as this one, really rare. When the repeater slide is activated, along the case side, the watch will chime revealing the hour, the quarter hour, and finally the exact minute! The owner could then know the time to the precise minute without looking at the dial - a very handy feature in the dark. Everything about this watch has been fashioned to very exacting standards. The beautiful dial, the elegant 18K solid gold case, the smooth slide, and classic design all combine to make it a fantastic timepiece. Notice how the stylized personalization on the case back creates an interesting design... if only this watch could talk and reveal its, now secret, owner. Not only is this a beautiful watch, but the engineering needed to make all these complications function in such a slender case is nothing short of astounding. Take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to see how nice this complicated movement is. It is signed "Touchon" under the dial and displays a three finger bridge, large ruby jewels, and perfectly situated gongs. The sound of these gongs is delightful to hear and gives one a real feel for the precision and desirability of a true minute repeater. I can imagine a gentleman at the opera in a tuxedo activating the repeater function, during intermission, to have his Touchon chime the time, consulting the dial for the correct time and triggering the repeater to give everyone within earshot a real treat. This Touchon is a 29 jewel, extremely high grade timepiece, that we have converted from a pocket watch to a wristwatch so that you may wear it easily and have a nice big statement on your wrist. The 18K solid gold case measures 47mm in diameter, by 56mm lug-to-lug. It is in perfect running condition and it winds, sets, and keeps time like the day it came from Switzerland. There are very few wrist minute repeaters in the world, and this will rank among the best extant. Since the production for Touchon was only 14 years these watches are as scarce as hen's teeth. As I once read on a website devoted entirely to Touchon, "if you are offered the opportunity to buy a Touchon & Co. repeater, then I advise you to do so." The prices have risen dramatically in the last few years and we expect them to continue their rise quite dramatically in the coming years as these are the possessions of a precious few.
This is by far one of the nicest wristwatch repeaters we have ever had the pleasure to offer for sale... don't miss it! Remember, all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
This is truly a one of a kind watch! Listen to the watch chime on our Facebook page.
This watch is a perfect example of the direct competition between Hamilton and Elgin. Hamilton actually made a watch that looked almost identical to this one - called the "Justin." Interestingly, this watch was made before the "Justin." This was a real progressive design for the late 1940s. Could it be that Elgin spurred the ultra modern designs that Hamilton initiated in the 1950s? Well, you can bet that Elgin was doing their best to keep Hamilton at bay! This watch reflects that fact. This is a watch to be admired for its cosmetics and its quality, 19 jewel, "Shockmaster" movement. The case has an elegant, hooded lug that is very distinctive. The yellow gold filled case measures 35mm long by 27mm wide. The watch is in excellent condition and the dial is original. So, what more could you want from an Elgin from this era? If you're an Elgin collector, you'll want this one! Our warranty guarantees that the watch is precisely as we have described it, that it is in good, running condition and ready for your wrist.
Jakob Josef Mauritz Breitschmid was a watchmaker in Lucerne in 1854, as his business bloomed he hired an apprentice named Eduard Jakob Gubelin who eventually married Breitschmid's daughter, Bertha, and then bought into Breitschmid's business. In an attempt to improve their situation, Breitschmid and Gubelin moved their shop to a location where royalty and the upper classes were frequent visitors. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Gubelin is a name that is world famous. We are delighted to be able to offer a rare rectangular E. Gubelin in a stainless steel case with its original finish dial. Purists, please take note! Zoom in on the photos to see how wonderful this dial is. It displays a very interesting minute track with contrasting border and a large seconds bit. The unusual hand shape completes the package. The 15 jewel movement is in pristine condition and our master watchmakers have it winding, running, and keeping time to an amazing standard that is as good as factory new. The Swiss really knew how to make a fantastic watch and this is the proof of the pudding. The stainless steel case is in very nice condition showing only minor wear for a piece of this vintage. Attached to this cool watch is a very interesting period band that carries the Art Deco theme around the wrist. If you are looking for a rare watch, circa 1930, then this may be the one for you! Remember: all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
Roamer was founded in Solothurn, Switzerland in 1888 by Fritz Meyer, and after many changes and iterations their production grew to over a million watches by 1923. They made a good number of cylinder escapement watches under different names, but their better quality watches were sold under the name "Roamer". The Roamers contained great quality, jeweled, lever escapement movements that have stood the test of time (so to speak)! By 1923 production grew to over one million units. The top quality jeweled lever escapement watches were sold under the brand 'Roamer', but cylinder escapements, and later, pin-lever watches were sold under the brands Medana and Meda. In 1932, the company started its own dial production line. In 1945, a representative office opened in New York City and in 1952 Meyer and Studeli officially changed its name to Roamer Watch Co. SA. In 1955 Roamer patented the Anfibio watertight watch case, which proved to be a commercial success.
This particular Roamer we are offering is circa 1932 is a very interesting watch, and it is in fantastic condition. If you are aching for a real nice, original, Art Deco wristwatch, then take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos and see how nice this wristwatch appears. The case is beautifully polished chrome measuring 22mm wide (not including the crown), by 40mm lug to lug. The movement has 15 jewels and looks like new. The watch is winding, setting, and keeping time like the excellent Swiss timepiece it is. Now take a peak at the dial, it is a sleek, silver, work of art that has stylized numerals and a two-tone contrast. Notice how the track for the seconds bit mimics the shape of the case. This one can be yours, but don't hesitate because we have only one!
In 2003, Roamer returned to manufacturing of mechanical watches. Currently, it remains an independent watchmaking company, selling its products to over 70 countries. Roamer Watch Co. is a member of Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.
This might be the fanciest gentleman's Hamilton ever made! The case is 14K solid white gold and measures 40mm long by 22mm wide. It has a dramatic diamond dial with diamond encrusted numerals at the cardinal points.
Hamilton made some very dramatic looking watches in later years however this one was exceptional for its era circa 1947. The diamond dial Hamiltons were just spectacular in their appearance and very "Art Deco" in their design. Notice the diamond filled 12, 3, & 9 and the single set diamonds with solid white gold bezels at all of the other chapters. The long case measures 40mm lug to lug by 22mm wide by 11mm thick. The movement is a 17 jewel caliber 980 that is a joy to see as the balance wheel swings effortlessly back and forth. This is what is called a "Hooded-Lug" where the band actually goes up under the case edge however this style with the "Diamond Dial" is usually called called a "Top Hat" which refers to its dress watch heritage. I have never seen another like this in my 25 years in business. The case lugs are segmented on top of the lug attachment in a nice "Art Deco" configuration. You will know that you have something special on your wrist when you strap this one on. The case is 14K solid white gold and in excellent condition. Our master watchmaker has this watch winding smoothly, setting easily, and keeping time like the day it was born. If you have been waiting for an unusual and intriguing diamond dial this may be the watch for you! Don't let it get away... we have only one! Don't forget all of our watches come with a one-year parts and labor warranty.