1919 Rare Small Font Dial Elgin "Foch" Hermetic, Solid Nickel, Stunning

Thank you for stopping by. There are watch cases that are increasingly hard to source for my “Trench Watch” projects. They are the cases that are often referred as Trench Watch cases...

Here is another sublime offering from Vintage Watch Corner. While this could be called a “Trench Watch" style, it a rare case. It is a “Hermetic Case” (screw on bezel and case back) WW1 Trench Watch...

Thank you for dropping by. I have a sublime offering that is Art Deco through and through. Elgin, one of the prolific early American wrist watch manufacturers. The played a significant role during the early wristwatch era. This is just an example. This is an incredible survivor from two generations ago. This 1928, one year before “The Great Depression” hung over the US like a dark angry cloud. This could be labeled a Streamline Moderne offering in 14 karat white gold filled. The case is in remarkable condition for being almost 100 years young. Elgin “Model 621” men’s Streamline Moderne design wristwatch in 14K white gold fill, circa 1928. Let me share with you what makes this such a coveted treasure to own, if you are on my sight, you like vintage watches. With bias I know I offer some of the best in the market today, don’t take my word, read my reviews. Back to the Elgin, sorry I got lost for a moment. This dial is the crown jewel of this offering. It is called an Incuse Exploding dial...

Welcome to Vintage Watch Corner. First a PSA (Public Service Announcement) Vintage Watch Corner was selected as the Vintage watch source to supply “period” watches (1918-1926) for a major motion picture. This picture is being filmed in Oklahoma as we speak. It is a validation of the authenticity of my restorations. What a great looking Elgin. This watch is from the late 1930’s, It is Elgin’s answer to the “waterproof” watch. The crystal has a gasket between the case and crystal, the case back has a gasket between the movement retainer ring and the case back, that by the way threads on. I love the oversized crown; it adds a distinguished look to a “functional watch. This watch was targeted for the outdoors person who wanted a watch that could withstand the elements, hence multiple gaskets and oversized crown. I love the two tone dial. It has a golden minute...

Welcome to Vintage Watch Corner. First my PSA: My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. Good day, let me introduce you to the Elgin “Art Deco...

My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches for a premier movie starring some major actors and a world famous director. They were looking for authentic watches that would represent the time period from 1915-1926. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. I have been an avid vintage watch collector for years. My soft spot is 1900-1935 American watches. I pride myself in offering the best quality and reasonable prices. Remember, "Price is what you pay, value is what you get". What a rare watch to offer. This is a most extraordinary watch to find. I have a solid gold one for sale by Cyma, a Sterling Silver from Eberhard as well. History of Marvin: Marvin is a classic watch-making brand steeped in the tradition of fine Swiss horology. It was founded over 150 years ago, in 1850 in Berne, Switzerland by the brothers Marc and Emmanuel Didisheim. The Marvin philosophy from 1850 to the today has always been to provide quality and fine finishing for reasonable prices. The founders embraced a non-elitist vision of watchmaking. To them, artful design, unquestionable quality, and obsession with detail were not incompatible with affordability. A philosophy that is mirrored in our offering of this vintage Marvin watch. For over 150 years, it has remained true to its founding principles of passion, daringness, strong ethics and humor. The Marvin brand is known for its tradition of beautiful and reliable time pieces, rich in style and history. Marvin quickly established itself as a brand that provided good design and quality finishing for reasonable money. Through the middle of the 20th century Marvin expanded and made a name for itself through motorsports sponsorship and celebrity “endorsements”. Both Marilyn Monroe and Che Guevara both wore Marvins, so you are in good company. The current modern Marvin lineup is geared towards affordable luxury, therefore whether you choose a vintage or modern Marvin, the philosophy remains the same. One cannot avoid in the passion and quest of learning and understanding the beginning of the wristwatch to bypass the story of the hermetic timepieces. “Sealed” pieces were first patented by Francois Borgel in 1891, and the semi hermetic were patented by Charles Rothen, an employee of Francois Borgel’s daughter who took over after her father died. The “fully hermetic” was originally believed to have been first patented by Jean Finger in 1921, but later it was found that it was preceded by Gruen some four years earlier (applied 1918/granted 1919). The final Rolex Oyster patent was originally patented by Perregaux and Perret on October 30, 1925, and bought by Hans Wilsdorf for the launch of the now famous Rolex Oyster in 1926. My first fully hermetic timepiece and probably the most “exotic” watch in my collection even today is my Waltham Dive Watch  This watch has been designed with swing lugs to help it fit the curvature  of the writs, another sophisticated design element of this watch Although this achieved the desired waterproof effect, it had an extra step in winding and setting the watch, the front bezel had to be unscrewed everyday so that the watch could be wound.  However, despite the design drawback, a number of manufacturers, produced watches using this case design, not many have survived It appears that Wilsdorf must have liked the design and bought the patent, because a Rolex watch called the “Hermetic” using this case design was produced from 1924, and similar designs from other manufacturers disappeared. And lest we forget, the Gruen identical patent (more or less), applied for in 1918, was granted 1919.  In January 1921 Jean Finger of Longeau, Berne, Switzerland, was granted Swiss patent number 89276 for a “Montre à remontoire avec boitier protecteur”—literally a watch with a protective box. The watch was placed inside a larger case with a screw-down bezel that formed a hermetic seal totally protecting the watch. Once the bezel was unscrewed, the smaller watchcase came out on a hinge to allow the hands to be set and the movement wound.  The watch was placed inside a larger case with a screw-down bezel that formed a hermetic seal totally protecting the watch. Once the bezel was unscrewed, the smaller watchcase came out on a hinge to allow the hands to be set and the movement wound. Rolex called the “Hermetic” using this case design was produced from 1924, and similar designs from other manufacturers disappeared. The dial is simply signed “Eberhard” and is MINT! The black script is nice and dark and the blued steel hands are immaculate and original, the also have been relumed.  I had this watch serviced by a European watch maker with 40 years of service, it runs fabulous as of this listing.  This watch is a very exotic piece that has significant historical relevance and thus very collectible The movement is signed Marvin and is a 15-jewel hand wound configuration with adjusted to 2 positions.  The case is .925 silver and is marked inside the case back FB, this is none other than Francis Borgel, one of the most venerable “Hermetic Trench Watch Case manufacturers of their day. They were considered to pinnacle of Hermetic Watch...

Wonderfully well preserved original black dial with the Marvin "crown" 1950s Simple, elegant and Chic. Silver in color, matching the baton markers. Stainless hands, inlaid with black and sweep second hand. First owner private collection. Chrome or nickel plated case with stainless steel back...

A classic Elgin chronograph ca' 1960's. Featuring a white dial with slightly sunken subsidiary black dials, orange second hand. Measuring 36mm diameter without crown and approx. 43 m...

Vintage Lord Elgin with rectangular 14k case on leather strap. With subseconds. Circa 1930s. Fine Pre-owned Elgin Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Elgin Lord Elgin watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion / Military Dial METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1919 DIMENS...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1944 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 24mm X Width 37mm MOVEMEN...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company movement made For Shreve & Co San Francisco STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel CIRCA / YEAR...