The "circle-in-a-square" is a classic design that has appeared in many elements of architecture and adornment. In the early 1960s, Wittnauer presented us with this interesting wristwatch that echoes the style. It is a stainless steel, manual wind, seventeen jewel gentlemen's wristwatch that is evocative of the many stylistic innovations of the period. The case measures 29 mm wide (not including the crown), by 37 mm lug to lug, by 9 mm thick (including the crystal). This is an easy size to slip under the cuff of one of those pencil-thin suits that you saw the Beatles wearing at the time. Looking straight down on the watch, you see only the circle and the square but, from the side, you can see how the case slopes down towards the corners and how the crystal seems to float above the case shape. The stainless steel has a subtle, brushed finish that adds to the eye appeal of the entire piece. It is a real work of art that will be a reliable companion in your daily life. Unobtrusive to wear, but very stylish when seen.
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. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting and keeping time just as it did when Abbey Road became a thing. Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence... don't miss it.
Would you like a wonderful entry-level Swiss wristwatch that will serve you for years to come. If so, this may be the watch for you. 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 as it is a dress watch in a yellow gold filled case with a stainless steel back that measures 28 mm in width (without the crown), by 39 mm lug to lug, by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). The silvered dial displays elongated stylized Arabic numerals that give it a real period style. We have fitted it with a dark brown trilled band that suits it to a "T". It has a seventeen jewel movement that is in excellent running condition and is representative of watches made in the early 1950s. Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence!
Born in Denmark circa 1745, Jørgen Jürgensen was to become the founding father of the horological dynasty that became Jules Jürgensen in 1814. He was the father of Danish watchmaking, after receiving Royal support and training apprentices to create a domestic industry. His son, Urban Jürgensen took over operations after his father's death after training to become one of the best watchmakers in the world at that time.
Jules Jürgensen watches were later produced in Switzerland until 1957, and from 1834 to 1912 the company was garnered over 34 awards for excellence. To this very day, the company is revered for their prowess in horology and their elegant timepieces.
The Jules Jürgensen dress watch that we present here is a watch to be wished for! It is a wonderful 14k solid yellow gold watch with a silvered dial from the mid-1950s that is in wonderful condition. The case measures 33 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 42 mm lug to lug, by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). Don't miss the spectacular "Crab Leg Lugs" that really set this watch apart in terms of refined style! You won't find many other watches with this case and lug configuration out there! We have fitted it with a nice black croco grain band that suits it well as a dress piece.
Next, make sure you take a gander at the impressive and subtle domed dial. It does show some patina due to its age, but it is less evident in person and the classic style still shines through. The dauphine hands pair beautifully with the gold triangular applied hour markers around the dial. At the cardinal points sit the applied Arabic numerals 3, 6, 9, 12. The arrow sweep second hand points at the dotted minute track around the outside of the dial for added functionality. Below the 12 is the brand name "Jules Jürgensen" with the "Estd 1740" tag line just underneath. Above the 6 is just the "Automatic" designation, finishing off the clean styling.
Inside, it sports a Swiss 17 jewel, automatic movement that is spotless. Our head watchmaker has it running, winding, and setting like the day it made its way here to America. This rare find can be yours, and with our 1 year warranty for parts and labor, you can buy with confidence!
In 1866, at a time when watchmaking skills were divided up among hundreds of small workshops, Antoine and his son, Elie LeCoultre (1842-1917), established the Vallée de Joux’s first full-fledged manufacture, LeCoultre & Cie., pooling their employees’ expertise under one roof. Under this set-up in 1870, they developed the first partially-mechanized production processes for complicated movements.
By the same year, the manufacture employed 500 people and was known as the “Grande Maison of the Vallée de Joux”, and by 1900, it had created over 350 different calibers, of which 128 were equipped with chronograph functions and 99 with repeater mechanisms. From 1902, and for the next 30 years, LeCoultre & Cie. produced most of the movement blanks for Patek Philippe of Geneva.
LeCoultre is one of our favorite brands here at Father Time and this particular LeCoultre "Bumper automatic" is a real winner. These are getting harder and harder to come by and this one is very nice. The stainless steel case measures 33 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 42 mm lug to lug, by 12 mm thick (including the crystal) and it is pristine. It contains a 17 jewel "bumper automatic" movement that is in fantastic condition. It winds, sets, and runs great, and it will for you too, since our one year warranty guarantees smooth and reliable operation. Take a look at the "Zoom-In" views to see how clean it is.
It sports a silvered dial with applied Arabic numerals only at the cardinal points and dots in between. The centrally located blued steel sweep seconds hand has a very dramatic sweep as it makes its way around the dial. We have fitted it with a black genuine crocodile band that emphasizes the silvered dial and black inner minute track perfectly. If you are searching for a very nice stainless steel automatic watch, LeCoultre is hard to beat! Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
In Europe, the watch company Doxa (founded in 1889) has always been highly regarded, but in America it was only through their dive watches that they achieved any acclaim. Once the company was accepted for the quality that was seen in the diver's watches, it opened the door for other models that became well respected.
This great-looking ladies wristwatch is in such great condition, and in a 14K solid rose gold case to boot! It is a 17 jewel Swiss-made watch that our watchmakers have running just as it did back in the 1950s. It measures 22 mm in diameter (without the crown), by 27 mm lug to lug, by 7 mm thick (including the crystal). The silvered dial sings its praises and the movement is as clean as a whistle. You will also notice that it says "Antimagnetique" just under the Doxa name. This is telling you that it has a special hairspring that is not affected by magnetic fields. It also has a "seconds bit" in the 6 o'clock position that was common on many men's watches, but you rarely see on a ladies' timepiece. The applied rose gold markers are Arabic numerals for the evens and pointed bars in the odd positions, for a stylistic effect.
Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with complete confidence. This one can be yours!
Benrus watches are often underestimated. They made really nice watches, as you can see here, but are often overlooked in favor of more expensive watches. We think this is a tragedy, since Benrus watches are great looking and well-made. This particular Benrus has a round stainless steel case, measuring 34 mm in diameter (not including the crown) (an American quarter measures 24 mm in diameter) by 40 mm lug to lug by 9 mm thick (including the crystal). This interesting case, with a "Florentine Bezel", houses an even nicer 17 jewel movement that is in great condition. Now, take a look at the dial, it is a silvered classic that has white gold elongated arrowhead markers at the chapters with blank spaces at the twelve, nine, and six. You will also notice the "Shock Absorber" marking just below the dial center that indicates that it has "Kif" springs holding the cap jewels in place. This was a feature that saved many a watch from shock damage and is a desirable feature for any watch. It also has an interesting "Seconds Bit" in the 6 o'clock position with a "Gunsite" demarcation. Every feature combines to make for a very handsome gentleman's timepiece.
This particular Benrus is indicative of iconic mid-century American wristwatches. Yes, it was someone's prized possession but very gently used over its lifetime, and now our master watchmakers have restored it to like-new performance. It is running, winding, setting, and keeping time like the day it arrived on these shores from Switzerland. This is a fully restored and warrantied watch that you can buy for very little dough. This is a gentleman's watch that would look great on your wrist. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may 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 worldwide! A special wristwatch version was made and supplied to 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, Hamilton made the best American watches, bar none! This particular Hamilton "Raleigh" was made circa 1929 and was a very popular model made in white, yellow, and green gold fill with either a plain bezel or an engraved one. Ours is the more desirable "engraved" bezel in white gold fill. How many survive today is anyone's guess. The "Raleigh" is a seventeen jewel Hamilton, grade 897-F, which is as clean as a whistle, and was one of Hamilton's finest grades for that time period. The white gold-filled case measures 28 mm at its widest (not including the crown), by 9 mm thick (including the crystal) by 39 mm lug-to-lug. The beautifully patinated dial has bold black Arabic numerals that really stand out. The seconds bit echoes the case shape and the lume filled hands finish the look. We have fitted it with a very nice, black, croco strap, so that it will grace your wrist with style. With a Hamilton "Raleigh" on your wrist, you can feel just like "Sir Walter." Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will assure you this "Raleigh" is in great running condition as are all of our timepieces.
Who knew what the future would reveal? Apparently, LeCoultre did! They were certainly ahead of their time when they made this watch, circa 1951. Not only was the "Futurematic" futuristic in style but in functionality as well. Notice that there is no side crown to wind this watch. It winds automatically as you wear it. In the subsidiary dial opposite the 9 o'clock position, there is a winding indicator so that the owner can see how much power is left in reserve on the mainspring. Once the hand enters the red quarter of the dial, it is time to oscillate the winding weight by your movement. This occurs naturally during your day and, if worn on a daily basis, you will never have to worry about winding. If you only wear it occasionally, you should don the watch until the indicator hand clears the red section and then re-set the time. Once the spring is fully wound, there is a latching device, engineered into the movement, that halts the oscillation of the winding weight until the power wanes once more. Then, it is automatically released. On the back of the watch is a sliding button that has a serrated edge. You slide the button toward the center of the case and this engages the setting mechanism and acts as a "hack" feature that stops the watch. This way you can restart it very accurately by sliding the button back to its original position. This is a very classy and elegant timepiece that marks an important milestone in watchmaking. The subsidiary dial, opposite the indicator dial, is a seconds indicator that runs constantly while the watch is keeping time. It also serves to visually balance the indicator dial. The 17 jewel movement, caliber 497, is in excellent condition and engineered to a fault. The balance wheel is a two-spoke Glucydur with a Nivarox spiral hairspring, and Kif (shock absorbing) jewel springs. The yellow gold-filled case is in fantastic condition measuring 35 mm in diameter, by 45 mm lug to lug, by 12 mm thick (including the crystal). We have fitted it with an 18 mm dark brown, genuine croco strap that really brings out the gold color of the case. This is a very unusual watch that will be the pride of your collection. The overall effect on the wrist is very handsome! Our warranty will ensure that you will wear this watch for years of trouble-free service!
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 a very cool watch in more ways than one. First, the 21 jewel movement is a thing of mechanical beauty Second, it is a "driver's watch," meant to be worn on the side of the wrist so that you could see the face of your watch without taking your hands off of the steering wheel. What a wild idea! You will also notice that there is a symbol just below the "Lord Elgin" moniker and this means the watch is fitted with an unbreakable "Durapower" mainspring... quite a feat back in the day. In short, this is one killer wristwatch from the 1940s. The case is yellow gold-filled measuring 20mm wide, by 49 mm lug to lug, by 10 mm thick (including the crystal), and is running like the proverbial top. Yes, it is small but this was an advantage for drivers and, today, it makes it perfect for that smaller wrist, be it a man's or a lady's. It takes a 16 mm band and we have fitted it with a dark brown, croco band that gives it a very luxe look. 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.
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. Just underneath the name is a symbol that indicates it is fitted with a Durapower mainspring that was "unbreakable." Elgin had developed an alloy that allowed for strength and great flexibility, thereby doing away with the more brittle blued steel mainsprings of earlier years. This one is quite elegant, not only because of its silvered dial and stylized gold numerals, interspersed with gold dots, but also because of the way the case bezel articulates in several different planes. It is a 17 jewel 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 back tells a bit of its history. It says "Ignatz Ameru 25th Anniversary 4-23-50 Service & Meter Dept. C.E. Co." The case measures 25 mm in width (not including the crown) by 37 mm lug to lug, by 10 mm thick (including the domed crystal). We have fitted it with a brown 16 mm croco grain 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 1948. You can buy this watch with complete confidence due to our one-year warranty for parts and labor.
"The name 'Accutron' denotes a men's wrist timepiece, among other Bulova electronic products. It is the first and only watch-size timepiece, including those powered by a battery, which does not use a balance wheel and hairspring. Instead, the 'Accutron' mechanism has a tuning fork as the timekeeping element... a much more accurate timekeeping device. The tuning fork is driven with energy form a tiny power cell, or battery, by means of an electronic circuit. The vibratory motion of the tuning fork is converted into rotary motion for turning the time-indicating hands, by means of a simple but incredibly small mechanism."
The paragraph above was the opening salvo from Bulova in a pamphlet that was distributed to dealers and retailers all over America, back when the "Accutron" was first introduced, circa 1960. There was nothing even remotely like it in the market – a "tuning fork" watch – and they needed to let everyone know how revolutionary it was. This one is not only an "Accutron," but it is also a "Spaceview." The stainless steel case measures 39 mm lug to lug, by 34 mm wide, by 13 mm thick (including the crystal). It makes a real statement on the wrist. Made in 1965, it has the look of the "space age." The story is told that the American government wanted to keep this technology out of the hands of the Russians. So, they asked Bulova to keep it a secret a little longer, since we were using this very accurate timekeeper in our space program. When you take a look at the informational pamphlet that Bulova put out to introduce this new idea to jewelers and watchmakers, it has a very avant-garde, cutting-edge look (for its day). In the pamphlet, it is explained that the seconds are parsed into very discrete segments by the vibrations of a small tuning fork at the heart of the movement. Bulova advertised it as the "watch that hums!" The general public was so taken with the idea they wanted to see how it worked and Bulova obliged. They had store displays that showed the interior of the watch exposed and this caused people to want a watch on their wrist that had the same look. As a result, the "Spaceview" was born! Like all Accutrons, this one is back-set, at the rear of the stainless steel case. What's special about this one is the yellow hands and the condition – which is fantastic. Our head watchmaker has it humming just the way it did back in 1965. It could be humming on your wrist! We warranty all of our watches for one year, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
If you are looking for a real statement piece then this may be the watch for you. There will be no mistaking what you are all about if you are wearing this watch! It is a Japanese quartz watch that was obviously made for a rocker at heart, circa 2001. It even has the extrapolation of the guitar neck and frets built into the band. Your friends will be grabbing your wrist to take a gander at this outrageous watch. Not only is the watch in the shape of a guitar but the case also mimics a real guitar case. The silvered dial is easily read with black baton hands to contrast. The guitar/watch body measures 34 mm wide (without the crown), by 55 mm long from the bottom to the longest part of the guitar body, by 8 mm thick. Jimi would have to have it! What a hoot!