Waltham was a wonderful and prolific watch manufacturer located in Waltham, Ma. and they were in business from 1851 to 1957, in various iterations. Their earlier efforts, circa 1850, in Roxbury, MA, resulted in the Howard, Dennison & Davis moniker later changed to Boston Watch Company, then Appleton, Tracey, & Co., the American Watch Co., and finally the Waltham Watch Company. They were one of the giants of the industry and second largest only to Elgin.
This Waltham is a 1975 iteration from the Hallmark Watch Company of Chicago that purchased the rights to use the Waltham name on imported Swiss watches. This one is in fantastic condition. It is a stainless steel day/date, with central sweep seconds so that you can tell at a glance what the current day and date are. It is a 17 jewel, self-winding (automatic), with Incabloc shock absorbing springs in the balance assembly. What really makes it stand out is the day and date features, which are in opposition to one another at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. There is a light blue inner minute track that is interrupted by the hour markers. It is quite eye-pleasing. The red, central sweep seconds hand really sets off the look. The stainless steel case which measures 37mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 43mm top to bottom, by 13mm thick including the crystal, is a cushion shape that is very appropriate for its age. Finally, there is a unidirectional rotating bezel that allows the user to set the indicator opposite the current location of the minute hand so that elapsed time can be had from any point on the dial. The condition of this watch is near perfect and our head watchmaker has it ticking like the proverbial top. It is a great watch for the dough and our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.
The American Waltham Watch Company (later Waltham) is one of America's oldest watchmakers. They held forth in Roxbury and later Waltham, Mass. and were one of the giants of the American watch industry. They made millions of pocket watches, but not so many wristwatches, due to the fact that they only made wristwatches until 1949. They were in business at the factory until 1957, but only in order to re-case and sell inventory on-hand. As the wristwatch rose in its ascendancy, Waltham was on the decline and, consequently, there are not many extant from this period. This Waltham, however, was made circa 1943, when they were in stiff competition for the hearts of Americans, and were happy to help with the World War II effort. It is a handsome piece to behold, housed in a stainless steel, screw-back, case with bold Lume-filled Arabic numerals and hands. The Lume no longer glows, but it is all original. It has that perfect patination of an original dial and hands. This shows the mellow color that only time can create. If you look carefully at the 10 o'clock position on the dial (in one of the photos), you can see where the radium (when it was still active) has etched its shadow on the dial surface. This means that it sat for quite a while with the hands in that position and was unused. This is great news for us today. The less a watch was used, the more life it will have in future years. This watch also has its period-appropriate white gold filled chain link band that looks fantastic. The stainless steel case measures 30mm wide (not including the crown), by 36mm from lug to lug, by 12mm thick (including the crystal). The back of the case is marked with the ORD Corps USA designation. The movement is a spotless 9 jewel engine that our watchmakers have fully restored to like-new condition mechanically. You could own this scarce watch and be the pride of the neighborhood. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
Tissot has been a luxury brand since its founding in 1853 in Le Locle, Switzerland. They have been revered for their quality since day one and have been a brand that has stood the test of time. This watch is one of the nicest condition Tissots that we have ever had! Not only is it pristine, but it is also beautifully styled. The silvered dial just gleams with an elegance you rarely see today. The stainless steel case measures 34 mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 40.5 mm in lug to lug, by 9.5 mm in thick (including the crystal) which is as smooth as a baby's behind. This Tissot "Seastar" has a 17 jewel movement that winds, sets, and performs like the day it was made. When you strap this one on your wrist it really becomes a handsome addition to a real male's wardrobe. What makes this particular watch a stand out is the elegant sleek design of the case and dial. This is not only a graceful watch, but very handsome one as well. Like all Father Time watches, it has been completely restored and is running just like new! Look at the case back - it's virtually devoid of wear! When you see a chewed up back on a watch you know what you'll find on the inside! Not this one! This one has been carefully worn and serviced over the years. With continued care and maintenance you can have this elegant timepiece for a lifetime.
Don't be alarmed! This watch will make a statement on your wrist! It's an 10K yellow gold-filled LeCoultre "Memovox" alarm, gentleman's oversize wristwatch that measures 35mm in diameter (without the crown), by 39mm lug to lug, by 11mm thick (including the crystal).
It has a rotating inner dial that is set by the second crown and indicated by an arrow that points to the time the watch will alarm. Once you wind the separate mainspring that will power the alarm function and set the inner dial all is in ready until the appointed time. Once the alarm is triggered it can be shut off by depressing the alarm crown and/or moving the arrow, on the inner dial, to a new position. Or, if you don't wish to use the alarm, simply let the mainspring power down. The slightly larger size of this watch really catches the eye due to its "cushion shaped" case. Not only is this a fabulous alarm watch but it also has a date feature with a window at the 3 o'clock position! LeCoultre is a legendary Swiss watch manufacturer and every thing they turned their hand to was perfection. Their manufacture stemmed from the many inventions that they produced. Founded in 1833, they invented a machine to cut steel pinions for watches and went on to produce hundreds of inventions and thousands of calibers in the years since. One of the most impressive accomplishments, achieved in 1844, was the invention of the Millionmeter the world's most precise measuring instrument. In 1847, they invented a device that did away with key winding, and by 1866 the first manufacture under one roof in the Valle de Joux. This is one of their really elegant watches and one that is becoming scarce...especially in 18k solid gold! In 1950, the Manufacture released the Memovox, or the “voice of memory”. Its striking mechanism could be used as an alarm for waking up, appointments, timetables, etc. The first models were hand wound and equipped with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 489.
In 1956, a Memovox featuring the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 815 became the first self-winding alarm watch in history, while shortly thereafter the company made this watch the caliber K911 with the date feature as well. It is a stellar piece which can be yours. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one year warranty, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence. This one is a real classic... don't miss it!
The "Memovox" was first introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre circa 1950/51 employing the manually wound Calibre 489. The name "Memovox" is a composite of two Latin word, Memor (remembering) and Vox (voice), meaning "the voice of remembering," an apt choice for a timepiece that "remembers the time". While we are quite jaded today by all the electronic devices that will tell us the time that was not so years ago when alarm watches were quite the innovative personal possession. Make sure you take a look at the "Zoom-In" photos to get the real feel of the beauty of this wonderful watch. You set the inner alarm dial by pulling out the crown in the two o'clock position and rotating the crown counterclockwise. You would position the triangular indicator opposite the time that you wished to have the alarm sound. You would also wind the spring that causes this effect by using this same crown. The crown that winds the timekeeping mainspring is in the 4 o'clock position and it functions like any other manual wind watch. Don't forget all of our timepieces are warrantied for one-year, for parts and labor, so that you may buy with confidence.
The firm was founded in 1895 by Moise Dreyfuss in the Swiss town of La Chaux de Fonds. Rotary is still owned by the Dreyfuss Group.
The founder, Moise Dreyfuss, was dedicated to creating beautiful watches with timeless elegance. His attention to detail and insistence on first class personal service ensured the business grew quickly. Within 12 years of the founding of the company, their success led to the opening of a UK office.
In 1925, the now famous winged Rotary logo was introduced and after the war, under the leadership of Teddy Dreyfuss, the brand developed further, with innovative watches, sophisticated marketing and powerful advertising campaigns. This particular Rotary is in such nice condition and our head watch maker has pointed out that this particular model has a solid gold escape wheel and fork, a rarely seen combination. What makes it handsome for me is the wonderful two-tone dial. It has been perfectly preserved and the lume on the Arabic Numerals and in the blued-steel skeletonized hands has aged to that mellow yellow color we search for but rarely find. The dial center is a matte silver and the chapter ring is a matte white that is encompassed in a gold ring just outside the chapters. Next to that is a delineated minute track. Just above the 6 o'clock position, there is a good size seconds bit that is just slightly recessed and above which, in an arc, the designation "17 jewels". The combination and originality is just spectacular! The stainless steel case which measures 30.5mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 37mm lug to lug, by 9mm thick (including the crystal), is in great condition showing only very minor handling wear. The case back is engraved with the following information from the factory: waterproof, non-magnetic, incabloc, and finally the serial number. It is a screw-down back that seals beautifully.
Stunning and rare are two terms you might use to describe this Hamilton, 10K yellow gold filled, "Seckron" Duo Dial Doctor's Wristwatch. This design was made to be promoted to doctors with an extra large second hand that made it easy to read, as opposed to conventional subsidiary second hands. This made it very easy to take pulses. Because it had a limited target market, it was sold in small numbers making it quite scarce today. It is in excellent original condition, something that is rarely found in today's market. Two case styles were introduced, one in 1936 that had a rigidly rectangular case that was prone to wear at the corners and then in 1941 the one we are offering here, with a slightly curved case and a more streamlined shape that was right on target for fashion of the time. This version is actually scarcer than the earlier one due to the start of WWII when production was curtailed. The 10K yellow gold filled case is in great condition overall. Gorgeous original dial with great patina. Excellent crystal and crown. Inside, the hand winding, 17 jewel movement (cal. 980 A) is running strong and keeping excellent time having just been serviced by our master watchmaker. This watch employs the 980 A with special gearing for the dial train. We have fitted it with a new, high quality De Beers crocodile strap with yellow gold tone buckle. The case measures 21 mm wide (not including the crown) by 42mm lug to lug, by 9mm thick (including the crystal). Like everything else in the vintage and antique world, condition is everything!!!
This one is the nicest original Hamilton "Seckron" we have had in over 40 years. I think that the original condition of the dial is what seduces you on first glance. It has the patina of the age and speaks to what this watch must have seen during its life here since 1940. If it could only speak!
The Omega "Chronostop" is a very interesting landmark in Omega's long lineage of fantastic chronographs. They were introduced in the 1960s and had a great run through the 1970s. It is a very unusual chronograph, in that is only has one push button and there is no recorded minutes, recorded hours, or constant seconds. This makes it a very utilitarian tool watch at a very attractive price point. Chronostops offered a 60-second stopwatch feature that is activated by a single pusher, located just above the crown. The first push starts the sweep hand. The second push stops it and resets it to 12 (once released). This makes it extremely simple to time some event and get an instant read-out and then it resets for the next competitor, race car, horse, or pulse. These watches are very useful tools for athletes, drivers, and medical professionals, and sold well during their production run.
Most Chronostops can be easily worn by all but the largest wrists. The stainless steel case is in great condition and measures 35 mm in width (not including the crown), by 39 mm lug to lug, by 12 mm thick (including the crystal). Our head watchmaker has the manually-wound Omega Calibre 865 movement developed specifically for this model working just as it did back 1969. This Chronostop is in the best condition for one of these awesome watches that we have ever had the pleasure to own... don't miss it!
Eterna has a long history, starting back in 1856, when Dr. Joseph Girard and Urs Schild founded an ebauche factory (one that makes basic movements for other companies to brand) in Grenchen. They were known for luxury watches and forward-looking innovation in the industry. By the 1900s, wristwatches were appearing on the wrists of early adopters and the fashion started to take off. Schild Freres, as they were then known, were producing wristwatches from the adaptation of smaller pocket watches for the wrist. This was a fairly new idea that would start to gain ground after "Johnny" came marching home from WWI. By 1905. they had changed their name to Eterna and by 1908. had patented the very first "Wrist Alarm". It was launched in 1914, at the Swiss National Exhibition in Bern, Switzerland and they were off to the races.
This killer Eterna we are offering has the most marvelous charcoal dial and is a great contrast against the rose gold filled case. It also has a screw-down, stainless steel back for wearing longevity and hypo-allergenic properties. It is one of the most interesting "Bumper" Automatics (winding while on your wrist) and is running like the day it came from Switzerland. The case measures 34 mm in diameter (without the crown), by 44 mm lug to lug, by 11 mm thick (including the crystal). What really makes it different is that the dial markings are Roman numerals at the cardinal points and "diamond" markers at all the other chapters. There is also a delineated minute track just outside of the chapter ring. The "skeletonized", lumed, "blued steel" hands no longer glow but, they are all intact and original. The central sweep hand is also "blued steel." The screw-down steel back shows the "Anti-Magnetic", "Shock-Absorber," and "Waterproof" designations. Yes, this one has it all! Our one-year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to put this one on your wrist with complete confidence.
Many manufacturers were involved in the war effort during WWII and, while Gruen did not have a military contract for watches, they did supply pilot's watches with 24-hour dials for Pan American World Airways. This production was initiated circa 1943. During the war, Pan Am stopped all commercial operations and flew only for the U.S. Military. They had overseas bases and a network of airports that was highly valued in the war effort. In the early 1940s, a wristwatch with a central sweep second hand was a rarity, and one with a 24 hour dial was also unusual, but Gruen's reasoning was that men were coming home from the war and they had been used to referencing the 24-hour day for military purposes. Pilots also were used to this form of reference so they decided to introduce this Pan Am model which has a central sweep second hand, Arabic numerals from 1 to 12, and an inner chapter ring that referenced hours 13 to 24. Air travel was not common at this time and it held a certain glamorous allure for the common man. Gruen decided to feature advertisements with photos of the Pan Am set against a background of the famous Pan Am Clipper which was a flying-boat type of aircraft. This was hot stuff back in the day. Many manufacturers used the appeal of the military timepiece to tickle the fancy of the American public and Gruen was no exception. They planned to carrot-dangle the unobtainable Pan Am while it was still something the public could not purchase, knowing that after the war there would be considerable demand once it was released to everyone.
It wasn't until October of 1945 that they finally offered the watch for public sale. Airline travel was just becoming something that was within the reach of those adventurous travelers and Gruen wanted to provide just the right accessory for that airline customer. They reasoned that once folks were used to using military time that this would be a no-brainer. Jewelers were advised to stock-up on these wonderful timepieces in order to meet the demand as "Johnny came marching home". Their prescience was rewarded with vigorous sales and this provides us today with watches, that once restored, can live on as a piece of history.
The watch we are presenting for your approval here is one that our watch makers have lovingly restored to fully functional condition. It is one of the early models, and we think, one of the most desirable configurations for any of the Pan Am Series. It is housed in a rose gold filled case that measures 32 mm in diameter (without the crown), by 39 mm lug to lug, by 10 mm thick (including the crystal).
It sports a stainless steel back, for wearing longevity, with a hypo-allergenic surface against the wrist. The 17 jewel movement is Gruen's legendary 420s that is ticking along just as it did when crossing the Atlantic during the war. Now, take a look at the wonderful, original dial, its condition speaks of what it has endured and yet still looks great today. Many of these dials have been refinished over their lifetime but not this one... it is all original. Don't miss it!
If you would like a really elegant, solid gold, dress watch then take a look at this spectacular Longines from the early 1950s. Longines was at the top of their game and was highly respected in the US, as well as the rest of the world. They have a sterling reputation for quality and excellence. The "Hourglass" shape of the case is stunning, as is the domed, highly curved crystal. The silvered dial has stylized Roman numerals at the cardinal positions, while the other chapters exhibit elongated "arrowhead" markers... all in gold. There is a seconds bit just above the six o'clock position, with a recess that mimics the overall shape of the case. The 17 jewel movement is running like it did decades ago. The 14k solid gold case measures 20-25mm wide (at its widest) by 39mm lug to lug, by 11mm thick (including the crystal). We have fitted it with a classy, black, patent leather band that completes the tuxedo look. You can't go wrong with this one because our one-year warranty for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence. Don't miss it!
Orvin was a Swiss brand that was exclusive to the Sears retailer, starting in about 1951. The name comes from the Jura region of Switzerland, where there were many watch manufacturing concerns. We have had both gentlemen's and ladies' Orvin watches and they are very reliable performers.
This particular ladies' Orvin is a rounded diamond shape yellow gold-filled case with a stainless steel back for wearing longevity. It measures 16mm wide (without the crown), by 29mm lug to lug, by 8mm thick (including the crystal). It contains a Swiss 17 jewel movement in good condition that could last for generations to come! It is paired with a 10k gold-filled expansion bracelet for ease of wearing. Here is a great looking Orvin for very little dough and, with our one year warranty for parts and labor, it is an even better bargain.
Many ladies' wristwatches are kind of ho-hum, but not this Swiss Credos beauty! Its styling is evocative of the era of "Big Fin" automobiles and dramatic styling circa mid-1950s. It is executed in 18k solid rose gold and is the only one of these that we have ever had. The case measures 19mm wide (not including the crown) by 41mm lug to lug, by 8mm thick (including the crystal). The 17 jewel movement is in fantastic condition and our head watchmaker has it setting, winding, and keeping time just as it should.
Make sure you take a gander at the "Zoom-In" views to see the spectacular lugs on this one. They sweep your eye away from the main body of the watch with three elongated lobes on either end. These lobes form the curved lug body which is drilled to contain the thick rope cord band that gives it the ultimate vintage look. Everything about this watch is wonderful... from the design, to the performance of its movement! If this one appeals to you, grab it up... you will probably never see another as they are scarce! Our one-year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence.