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!
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.
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.
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.
Omega is one of our favorite brands, having produced the high-quality timepieces that endure the test of time. Oversize Omegas, like this one, are very desirable and we constantly look for great examples for our customers who prefer this more 'modern' size. It was a model made for the South American market and, therefore, is a size rarely seen in North America where 34mm was frequently the largest size worn. This Omega "Jumbo" measures 38mm in diameter (not including the crown) by 44mm lug to lug, by 10mm thick (including the crystal). The thin profile means that while this watch has a great presence on the wrist, it also easily slips under a shirt cuff.
It sports an aged silvered dial that is still in great shape, despite showing some minor age spots. The "Omega" logo and name sits below the 12 o'clock position. The large seconds bit overlaps the "6" and takes up all the space in between the 6 o'clock position and the center of the dial--very large indeed! Its "record grooves" catch the light at different angles to the body of the dial, creating a two-tone effect. Rose gold painted Arabic numerals mark the even numbers, with arrow markers in the odd positions. Paired with the rose gold hands, the warmer tones are a nice contrast to the silvered dial.
The 15 jewel, manual wind movement is in great condition and is running like a top. Our head watchmaker has completely restored this beauty so that it is winding, setting, and keeping time just like it did back in the day, circa 1947. The stainless steel case assures you of many, many years of wear without looking worn. Why not own an interesting and historic Omega? It could be yours!
If you are a regular here at the Father Time site you already know that we believe that Hamilton was the best manufacturer in America. Not only were they the best in terms of total quality, they were also very competitive. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the watch company designers were focused on making slightly larger and longer wristwatches. The rectangular shape was in style and there were many riffs on this theme. This particular Hamilton "Donald" is one of the real classic looks in solid yellow gold that they produced in 1941. Its solid gold case measures 28mm in width by 36mm lug to lug. The silvered dial sports applied gold Arabic numerals, gold "dagger" hands, and a brown lizard band with a 14k solid gold buckle completes the look. The 19 jewel movement is in pristine condition and is winding, setting, and keeping time just as it should. This is the kind of dress watch that you can own for a lifetime...don't miss it!
Longines has been a mover and shaker in the watch world since its inception in Saint-Imier, Switzerland in 1832. Founded by Auguste Agassiz, Longines has been a steady beacon for timekeeping. This watch is representative of their quality and robustness in the market. It was made circa 1972 and executed in brushed stainless steel case, with a charcoal dial and applied stainless steel bar markers at the chapters, and a date window at the 3 o'clock position. The model is the "Conquest" Automatic (self winding) with a central sweep seconds hand. The case measures 37 mm in width by 40 mm lug to lug and we now have it paired with an original brushed stainless steel bracelet (not shown in the photos). The movement is a 25 jewel workhorse that will give you great service for generations to come. This is a model we have never had the privilege to own before, due to its scarcity in the market. What really caught our attention, other than its great looks, is the pristine condition of the case, dial, and movement. This is as nice as it gets... what a handsome watch...and it can be yours. Remember all of our watches come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may 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 is what we call a "Tonneau" case, due to its shape. It houses a seven jewel movement that our head watchmaker has running like a top. The case is a three-part, yellow gold filled and it measures 28mm, at its widest, by 22mm, at its thinnest, by 37mm lug to lug. The case center shows off some fancy engraving that carries the theme of the engraving on the case front. The silvered dial is very nice and is contrasted by very stylized blued steel hands. It sports a black, lizard band that completes the look. For a watch made circa 1932, it is a real winner. Our one-year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to buy with confidence.