Elgin Ladies'

Elgin was the largest watch manufacturer in the world, when this watch was made circa 1937. It is a seventeen jewel ladies' wristwatch that is in great condition. It has a yellow gold-filled case that measures only 14mm wide (not including the crown), by 29mm lug to lug, by 6mm thick (including the crystal). The back has the initials "S.M.C." This watch was meant to be a beautiful addition to a lady's wrist that would be unobtrusive. Not only did Elgin accomplish that, but they made it very stylish to boot. The seventeen jewel movement was a higher-end timepiece, usually reserved for gentlemen's watches. Our watchmaker has it setting, winding, and keeping time, just like the day it came from the Elgin plant way back when. It is a remnant from a by-gone age that you can own, today, to remind you of the days of old. It is fitted with a yellow gold-filled metal cord band that really sets it off! Here is a very nice watch for not much dough. This may be for someone special in your life or maybe you just want to buy yourself something nice... either way it could be yours!

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques

Gruen Ladies' "Curvex Precision"

Gruen was the inventor and innovator of the watch called "Curvex" and they produced many different models of the "Curvex," for both men and women, in the mid to late 1930s through the 1940s. The ladies' models are harder to find, today, but just as interesting as the gentlemen's model. The "Curvex" was not only an interesting "to look at" model, but it was also ergonomic in its shape. A little known fact is that the curved movement allowed Gruen to fill more of the case with movement, rather than dead space, just in order to give the curved appearance that other companies attempted, but could not duplicate, due to strict patent infringement laws. In the Gruen "Curvex," this made for a larger balance wheel, bigger mainspring, etc. While not as dramatic in the ladies' version, it is indicative of Gruen's quality and attention to detail. This Ladies' "Curvex" is 14K gold-filled with a 17 jewel movement that our head watchmaker has lovingly restored to factory standards for timekeeping. It is winding, setting, and running with great ease. The case measures 12mm wide (not including the crown), by 38mm lug to lug, by 6.5mm thick (including the crystal). It has a matching 12K gold-filled cord band that suits it to a "T". These are getting hard to find. So, don't miss it if you think this is the one for you!

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques

Omega Seamaster GMT Chronometer

We here at Father Time are in love with the Omega brand, because of their commitment to quality. This 50th Anniversary Edition of the "Seamaster GMT" was originally created in 1998 and they have done a stellar job with this watch. It is the 2534.50.00 Cal. 1128 which is a 23 jewel, circular grained rhodium-plated movement with a forty-four-hour reserve. It is water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters and displays a central sweep second hand. The black dial is made with a "Wave Design" that gives it a spectacular look. This wonderful dial is contrasted by large "Superlite" hour markers and "Superlite" coated skeleton hands. It also has a screw-in crown. The case is stainless steel, measuring 42mm in diameter (without the crown), by 46mm lug to lug, by 13mm thick (including the crystal).

The bezel is alternately silver and black to distinguish between day and night while the 24 hour hand is in red, as is the GMT designation, for easy identification. The matching stainless steel band is very comfortable to wear and bears a small, gold Omega logo on the clasp. The watch is in excellent condition, showing only very minor wear commensurate with its age. This is a watch you are going to really love wearing and showing to your friends.

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques

Ladies' Elgin "Hourglass" Automatic

This is the only one of these watches we have ever had, let alone seen. Suffice it to say, it is

extremely rare! Not only is it a rare model, but it also is quite unusual in its appearance. It emulates an "Hourglass" shape with the lug configuration as well as the shape of the crown and the visual balance of a false crown below the 6 o'clock position. That alone would make it a stand-out piece... "but wait there's more"... this is an automatic movement... yes, I said automatic! I can count on one hand the number of ladies' automatics I have seen in this small size, after being in the business for 39 years. Add to all of this the fact that it is 14K solid gold and you have a combination that can't be beat! Both the case and the 17 jewel movement are in excellent condition. It measures a mere 17mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 36mm lug to lug, by 8.5mm thick (including the crystal), and is strung on a gold mesh cord band to complete the look. The dial is a beauty, displaying the fact that it is "self-winding" and bearing the logo of Elgin's unbreakable mainspring between the center arbor and the 6. This is a stellar product that came out of the Elgin Factory in the late 1950s and it can be yours! Remember, our one year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with confidence. As Maurice would say, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" but that is an adage that, thankfully, is now outdated. Today, we might say that we are lucky to be blessed with strong and confident women!

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques 

Royce "Art Deco" Ladies' Stainless

There aren't many ladies' wristwatches that really fill the bill when it comes to Art Deco stainless

steel watches... but this one does! It is a beautiful, Swiss, 15 jewel with a stainless steel case that has a very dramatic lug configuration. The case measures 16mm wide (not including the crown), by 41mm lug to lug, by 10mm thick (including the crystal). The profile of the case, seen in the photos, is quite dramatic in its presentation and is highlighted by the very curved "Hi-Dome" crystal. The sculpted lug design is to die for as is the two-tone dial with its rose gold dial center and outer minute track centered by a silvered chapter square that displays the cardinal Arabic numerals with dots at the intervening chapters. Even the crown is special, with the shape of a derby hat. The black cord band suits it to a "T" and can be custom fit to your wrist quite easily. The movement is as clean as a whistle and running great! This is simply a wonderful ladies' "Art Deco" watch from the late 1930s that can be yours. Our famous one year warranty will allow you to buy with confidence... don't miss it!

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques

Gruen "Shield" Ladies' Wristwatch

As many of you that visit our site regularly already know, we are very fond of Gruen watches and are

always pleased to locate one in great shape that has a bit of pizazz to it. Here is such a find! This 17 jewel, 14k solid gold ladies' Gruen is in wonderful condition and running like the proverbial top. It measures 16mm in width, at its widest (not including the crown), by 27mm lug to lug, by 7mm thick (including the crystal). This was a presentation watch for loyal service which was the norm back-in-the-day. It is engraved on the reverse with the following: "Presented to Tobie Altmaek for 5 years of loyal service 9-28-64". We always think that this is a big plus, because it nails down the date and also carries with it a sense of history of the owner, even if we don't know his or her story. Being solid gold adds to the value and longevity of the presentation. Make sure you notice the "Shield" shape of the dial and the bezel... it is what makes this one a stand-out. Our one year warranty will allow you to put this one on without any trepidation about its performance.

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques

Jules Jergensen Chronograph

"Opie, it is said that the time progresses in three stages, son. It's what we call the past, present and future. However, the past and the future intersect each other with such intensity that hardly anything is left for the present. With lightning speed, time has been transformed and, what we describe as the present, is only useful to us when we borrow a bit from both the recent past as well as from the nearest future and add them to the present. Now Op, here's what a man, wiser than me, said about it way, way, back when".

“What is time? We surely know what we mean when we speak of it. We also know what is meant when we hear someone else talking about it. What then is time? Provided that no one asks me, I know. If I want to explain it to an inquirer, I do not know”.

Augustine 354-430

This is surely sage advice from Andy. If we delve into the past, circa 1745, with our time machine, we would be able to be present at the birth of Jurgen Jurgensen, in Denmark. He was to become the founding father of the horological dynasty that became Jules Jurgensen. His son, Urban Jurgensen, became a famous Danish watchmaker that launched the manufacture of high quality pocket watches. The early company name was Larpent & Jurgensen and they started production of pocket watches in 1781. As a matter of fact, Jurgen Jurgensen was appointed as Court Horologist by King Fredrik VI, in 1784. In 1801, Urban introduced a bi-metallic pocket thermometer and, by 1804, successfully published his book "General Principles Concerning Timekeeping by Clocks and Watches". 1810 saw the production of Marine Chronometers and, by 1815, Urban was accepted into the Royal Danish Academy of Science. By 1822, Urban announced a new idea, that of a detached double-wheel Chronometer. Sadly, 1830 brought the death of Urban, but his two sons, Louis and Jules, continued under the company name of UJS.

By 1936, Jurgensen has been permanently established in Le Locle, Switzerland and this signaled the start of "Jules Jurgensen", in Copenhagen. From here on out, the company was garnering one award for excellence after another; over 34 from 1834 to 1912. To this very day, the company is revered for their prowess in horology.

The Jules Jurgensen Chronograph we present here is a watch devoutly to be wished for. It is a wonderful, stainless steel, Black Panda Dial Chronograph from the late 1960s that is in wonderful condition. It sports a Landeron, 17 jewel movement that is spotless. Our head watchmaker has it running, winding, and setting like the day it made its way here to America. Make sure you take a gander at the dial. It is impressive with its reverse Panda subsidiary dials and precise markings on both the dial perimeter and the bezel. The case measure 37mm in diameter, by 47mm lug to lug, by 13mm thick including the crystal. We have fitted it with an 18mm, minimally stitched, leather, racing band that suites it well. "Yes Opie, this can be yours, if you are a good boy!"

Father Time Antiques
2108 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-880-5599
Father Time Antiques