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 

14K Baume and Mercier "Geneve"

Baume & Mercier is a company that is always associated with elegance and unusual design. Such is

the case here. This wonderful ladies wristwatch is executed in 14k solid gold and it sports a beautiful, minimalist gold dial devoid of markers, showing only the brand mark and logo. The case measures 13mm wide (not including the crown), by 33mm long by 7mm thick (including the crystal). What makes this one so unusual is its shape and the size of the movement. The long, lozenge-like case has quite a presence on the wrist and the movement takes advantage of that length by filling it with a movement with larger components, thereby giving it a more robust performance. Many lady's watches are of a lower jewel count but, not this one... it is a 17 jewel precision time piece that can perform for generations. If you are seeking a watch that is out of the ordinary, then this may be the one for you! Our one year warranty for parts and labor will give you the confidence to dive right in.

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

Hamilton Flight II

It doesn't matter if you are Eloi, or Morlock, this Hamilton "Flight II" will look great on your wrist. This reference to H.G. Wells' "Time Machine" does have its parallels with the passage of time and the ability to go back and re-live those forever-lost moments in time. Made 58 years ago, in the Hamilton Watch Factory in Lancaster, Pa., this wonderful wristwatch was launched as one of Hamilton's avant-garde styling triumphs. The "Boomerang" motif was proof of their advanced styling, which was right in tune with the automotive industry of that time. As a matter of fact, Hamilton had hired Richard Arbib from that industry to help bring the unusual shape to the Hamilton "Ventura" (the first electric watch). This "Flight II" is housed in a 10k gold-filled case that measures 28mm at its mid point

(between the 9 & the 3), by 35mm at its extreme height, by 10mm thick (including the crystal). It is a mechanical, manual wind, caliber 770, 22 jewel movement that our head watch maker has running like the day it was made. This is the nicest one of these scarce watches that we have owned in over 38 years. It sports its original gold dial that has Arabic numerals at all the cardinal points with gold "Pips" at all the other chapters. It also has the cross hair "Gun Site" markings at the dial center. The original finish is nothing short of spectacular. No one seems to know exactly how many of these watches were made, or how many survive today, but I can tell you it is a fairly low number. When you take a look at the photo array notice how crisp the cross-hatch texture is in the "Boomerang" shape at the top of the case and how it wraps all the way around the left side of the case. Many times this is where you will notice a great deal of wear...but not on this watch. We paired it with a textured expansion band that carries the motif all the way around your wrist. Our one year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to put this watch on your wrist with complete confidence.
We have only one.....don't miss it!

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

Hamilton "Military"

Hamilton is a legendary company that we here at Father Time think of with the highest praise. They started business way back in 1892 with the first watch offered for sale in 1893. They were formed to produced fine pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks and they filled that bill for over 77 years. Hamilton was a large conglomeration, due to some mergers and acquisitions that had occurred over the years, ultimately culminating in its acquisition by the Swatch Group. As a part of their glorious history, this particular watch was brought to the market, circa 1955, and it has a wonderful look and

an even nicer Swiss, 17 jewel, automatic, caliber 661 movement that is housed in a very nice, stainless steel case that measures 37mm in diameter (not including the crown), by 47mm lug to lug, by 14mm thick (including the crystal). This is a very nice size for a watch of this age. Make sure you look at the "Zoom-In" views to see how nice the dial is. It has the mellow, perfectly aged, "cream-in-your-coffee" color for the hand and marker lume, which just sings when contrasted by the matte black dial. It has the Hamilton logo and name just underneath the 12 and it also sports the fat triangular markers at the cardinal points. If you look carefully you will see the "Automatic" designation, just above the 6 o'clock position, and the "Swiss" imprint, just under the 6 o'clock position. Yes, this was made at a time when Hamilton was using the Kurth Freres 28.45 movement for these beauties. It also has a rotating, black bezel insert that allows the owner to calculate "Units per Hour" with the Tachymeter scale for speed readily at hand. We have fitted it with a spectacular, minimally stitched & distressed, Italian leather band. All-in-all, this is one handsome watch that is running like the proverbial top. Our one year warranty for parts and labor will allow you to be confident when you put it on your wrist!

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

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

This is a gentleman's "Oyster Perpetual " two-tone model that is exceedingly handsome because it has a perfectly aged "Tropical" Dial! This is a dial that due to exposure to sunlight, as one would expect in the "Tropics", has a perfect patina that can only come with age and very even exposure. This is an extremely desirable look and highly sought after. No, the watch has not been exposed to water, just sunlight which has caused this wonderful effect over the many years of exposure. The watch is circa 1955 and is just plain beautiful in it's simplicity. The dial patina, the stainless steel chapter markers, stainless case, solid gold bezel, and stainless "Oyster" band all add up to more than the parts. Rolex really knocked it out of the park with this watch. This is a watch with great quality built-in, and a look that gives it a very kool appearance. It exhibits a 26 jewel, automatic movement that is a virtual trouble free performer. The photos just cannot do this watch justice. Can you tell that we here at Father Time think this one is a real winner? The dial has the classic Gold Rolex Logo Crown.

Happy New Year!!

LeCoultre Automatic

This Le Coultre is an automatic watch with a winding indicator window just below the 12 o'clock position so that you can refer to the amount of reserve time you have on your mainspring. It is in excellent condition in every regard! Just look at the case and dial, they are in great condition. The case is yellow gold-filled and it measures 33mm in diameter by 40mm from lug to lug. This watch represents the pinnacle of watch making, circa 1951, at Le Coultre, long before Jaeger came around! Yep, they could compete with any watch company in the business at this time and you can see why! This is a watch with a technical complication that adds a new level of service for the consumer and, because it is a "Bumper Automatic" every motion of your wrist (while you are wearing it) winds the mainspring. You can visually see what power reserve you have at a glance. The dial is just beautiful in its simplicity and is complimented by the arcaded seconds track and the red sweep second hand. It's subtle yet provocative! Ha! Our watchmakers have it timed to a very fine standard and it is keeping time like the day it was made.Remember all of our watches come with our famous one year warranty for parts and labor so that you may purchase a watch from us with complete confidence. Don't miss this fine example of the watchmakers art!

Price: $1895
Year: 1951
SKU: w2948
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Rolex 9k "Prince"

"Someday My Prince Will Come" ...and today is the day. Father Time has had the pleasure to own several Rolex "Prince" models over our 37 years in the business, but this is the earliest one we have ever acquired. The Rolex Company was in the hands of Aegler and Wilsdorf when, on August 26th, 1926, a patent was filed with the Swiss Patent Authorities. About a year later on October 1, 1927, it was granted patent number 120849 for the movement that came to be called "The Prince". 

Only four years later "Jack" celebrated his 21st birthday and guess what his present was.....A Rolex "Prince"! This is that very same watch... and what a handsome watch it is. The 9 karat solid gold case measures 20mm wide by 40mm long and is in fantastic, original condition and still bears the dedication to "Jack" on the back. The original patent described one of the main advantages of the watch which was that it enabled the use of a much larger, and therefore, more visible seconds hand. 

This was accomplished by placing the barrel for the mainspring at the opposite end of the case from the balance wheel. This allowed for a larger barrel, and balance wheel. This not only meant that the watch could run longer because it could contain a larger mainspring but, with a larger balance wheel, it could be more accurate and reliable. Two facts that proved to be true. The larger balance wheel additionally used solid gold screws to add mass and thereby momentum for a more accurate timepiece. 

The "Prince" proved to be one of the most accurate wristwatches of its era. These are also sometimes called "Doctor's Watches" due to the fact that doctors used them to take pulses because they could easily see the larger seconds bit. These beauties are getting harder and harder to find in good condition and are very scarce in the condition of "Jack's" watch. The movement is a 15 jewel workhorse that is adjust to temperature, isochronism, and six positions.

 The gold case has brushed portions above and below the twelve and the six respectively, while the case sides are high polish. This contrast gives the watch a very elegant look and, coupled with the spectacular dial, makes for a fantastic piece of "Wrist Art". The watch still has its original "Rolex Logo" crown and its 9 kt gold buckle (rarely seen). The movement, dial, case, and crown are all signed and proper. Our head watchmaker has it winding, setting, and keeping time just as it did for Jack back in 1931. It can have a new life on your wrist! In short everything about this watch beckons you to acquire it. Remember our one year warranty, for parts and labor, will allow you to buy with complete confidence.