Japanese 14Kt. Gold Watch Fob with Matte Salts Enameled Finish 1920's

FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference "Spur" METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt White Gold / Kiln Fired Enamel Print CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 19 Jewels / Caliber 979 DIAL / HANDS: Original Sterling Silver with Kiln Fired Enamel Print / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / BRACELET: Leather, 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Yikes... we never see this model and have only seen a few in the last 50 years, and never one with what appears to be the original box. This was one of Hamiltons most legendary wristwatches and it is exceptional condition. Since it has been in a vault for about 50 years the price includes a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker. Asymmetrical models are among the most sought after wrist watches in the vintage world. Hamilton produced one of the earliest and most intriguing examples, which they called the "Spur" for obvious reasons. it was first introduced in 1928, the Spur remained in production until 1932. Oddly, it only appeared in the Hamilton catalogs for a single year, 1930. It can be presumed that the "Great Depression" had something to do with this. This rare timepiece boasts a distinctive case with a black enamel bezel. The Spur started a trend with Hamiltion and they next produced the "Piping Rock" models. The Spur has hidden lugs that are tucked behind a series of cascading fins, creating a truly unique design. A tiny watch, even by vintage standards, the Spur features a delicate 12mm strap. Originally priced at $125, production numbers were limited, with a total of 1,183 pieces created: 683 in white gold, 499 in yellow gold, and a single, elusive example in green gold. Just two years later, in 1928, Hamilton introduced another groundbreaking design: the "Piping Rock." This watch featured a tonneau-shaped gold case with a striking black enamel bezel. Its unique aesthetic captured the attention of the era, and it was chosen to commemorate the New York Yankees' World Series victory that same year. Specially engraved editions were presented to legendary players like Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, solidifying the Piping Rock's place in Hamilton's history of iconic timepieces. HAMILTON HISTORY The wrong train, on the wrong track, at the wrong time at the end of the 19th century frequently resulted in disastrous train wrecks. In response to the critical need for accuracy on the nation’s railroads, laws were passed in 1891 establishing set standards of accuracy. All engineers and railroad workers were required to purchase and maintain their watches to keep accurate time based on set standards, about 30 seconds per week was the tolerance. This was the inspiration for The Hamilton Watch Company which was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and by the early 1900s, the company was supplying watches to the US military. In 1917, Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch for service men entering the first World War. The wristwatch quickly became popular with both soldiers and civilians recognizing how practical they were. Hamilton continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and by the 1940s, the company was one of the largest watchmakers in the world. Hamilton had exceptional engineers and designers, and their watches were elegantly styled as well as dependable. As a watchmaker myself I consider Hamilton to be one of the worlds “best” watches. It was mass produced perfection. Even today, you can take 100 old Hamilton’s of the same model apart and shake them up in a bag and reassemble 100 watches that will work perfectly with almost no adjustment. This is an achievement. In the early 1930’s our family store in Los Angeles was the a “Hamilton” Store. Even during the depression though Hamilton did not allow you to discount the price to sell a watch. Also, in the neighborhood was another Hamilton store and one day the owner sent in a “shill” to buy a Hamilton from us. Someone gave them a slight discount. Well, that was all it took for Hamilton to “pull the line” from us. In those days the local jewelry supply houses sold you the watches and they were all told not to sell to us. We simply contacted Gruen, and they were very excited to have a new account in Los Angeles and we immediately became a Gruen Store. A few months later, the other jeweler in the neighborhood went out of business and Hamilton came back to us asking if we wanted “the line” again. No thanks was the response and we never carried Hamilton again. During World War II, Hamilton supplied watches to the US military again. In addition, with contracts for the Navy, they produced the world’s most accurate navigational chronometers. The company also developed several new technologies for use in military watches. After the war, Hamilton continued to innovate, and the company introduced several new watch designs for the future. Unfortunately, they made one very poor executive decision in the 1950’s. Having invented the first “electric” or battery watch they decided to launch it before all the “bugs'' were worked out. Too many of them failed and at the same time, Bulova launched their version of the electric, or battery watch called the Accutron. It did not fail and that was the demise of one of America's most successful and influential companies. Their watches, however, still live on and parts are available and the average Hamilton, with only average care, will last hundreds of years. Their commitment to excellence has never been surpassed by any watch company. The Hamilton Spur...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1929 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Diameter 31mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber 3/0 DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired with Luminous Arabic Numerals / Original Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 14mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Just around the corner from the global stock market crash, this watch came to be. What a great and original Waltham Watch this is. We seldom see watches from this era in such fine condition. Imagine navigating your modern day with a nearly 100 year old device (I wear a watch from 1919 every day and it always gets me there on time). This piece is fitted with a solid gold case by America's finest case maker, Depollier. They made custom cases for all the finest American watch companies, including those renowned Swiss houses imported to America. The watch is also fitted with its original and flawless Kiln Fired Enamel Dial and it still has its original Blued Steel Luminous Hands as well. Lastly, it appears to have its original crown as well. The watch keeps dependable time and can be worn all the time as well. You will likely never see another truly vintage American Watch in finer condition than this one. Through the American civil war and two World Wars, and beyond, Waltham's legacy and spirit lives on in this wonderful vintage watch. It is truly a representation of the idea of American Exceptionalism. The wonderfully crafted design is timeless. Even after 100 years or more, this watch can dependably be worn, used and counted on to get you there on time, every time. It is versatile enough to be worn for all types of occasions and various clothes. Wear it with a suit or even for more casual occasions but, certainly, feel confident that you are wearing a piece of history. The Waltham Watch Company was an American watch manufacturing house founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It was the first American company to mass-produce watches using interchangeable parts. The company's watches were known for their quality and affordability, and they quickly became popular with consumers. Waltham played a major role in the development of the American watch industry as well as establishing the concept of “mass produced” products. By the way, Henry Ford was a watchmaker, and he was inspired to build cars the same way Waltham Watches were produced, for the masses with interchangeable parts. Waltham’s success helped to make the United States a major player in the global watch market as well as promote the idea of “industrialization.” Before the Waltham Watch Company, watches were generally produced by hand, in “cottage” industries. They were owned by the wealthier class or the “working class” that needed to know the time. The company's affordable watches made them accessible to a wider range of people and helped to change the way people thought about time. Prior to this, people used their local Church bells to direct them in their daily lives. The Company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. During the American Civil War, they supplied watches to the military, and of course they grew because of this association. In 1885, they moved their headquarters to Waltham, Massachusetts, and changed their name to the American Waltham Watch Company. Waltham was a major exhibitor at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The company's exhibit at the exposition was housed in a large pavilion that was designed to resemble a factory. The pavilion was filled with watches of all shapes and sizes, as well as machinery used in the manufacturing process. The exhibit was a major success, and it helped to raise the profile of Waltham watches around the world. Amongst the visitors at the exhibition was a contingent from Switzerland. When they realized what Waltham was doing, they quickly understood that their methods were outdated and soon enough they would be a country unable to compete. They also went to the Waltham factory for a visit after the exhibition. It is said that they purchased a few of Waltham’s higher grade movements. The director of factory said he would have them “adjusted” before they left, but they said, it was not necessary. When they arrived back in Switzerland, they checked them and were shocked at the level of quality and accuracy. This prompted them to buy some of the equipment that Waltham was using so they could start building better watches that were less expensive and more accurate. Some of that machinery ended up in the small town of Schaffhausen and became The International Watch Company. They are still in business today making exceptional watches. The military, for any nation, is a powerful source of revenue for industrial contracts. So, any industry would prosper during war and Waltham continued to be a supplier to the military for over 100 years. Through WW 1...

The piece on display is an absolute marvel of craftsmanship that is bound to leave you in awe. It is a testament to the skilled artisans who created it, showcasing elaborate and deta...

A fine Victorian handkerchief holder. In 14k yellow gold. With an engraved, textured and enameled design to the holder end. A gold loop slides...