Illinois White Gold Filled Rare Model Art Deco Tortue Shaped Watch

FACTORY / HOUSE: Illinois Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Width 27mm MO...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 7 Jewels / Caliber 0-Size DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Original Dial with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This great looking and all original watch was produced by Waltham in 1930, just after the 1929 banking collapse and the repercussions of that collapse were not yet to be felt. It appears to be fitted with an original period strap and buckle. The strap is to fragile to wear on a daily basis, but it does indicate what fine condition the watch is in. It is also fitted with an original period buckle, which we have attached to the new strap supplied with the watch. The watch has a flawless original dial, which we never see on watches this old. Also still has its original Blued Steel Hands as well. This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. You can really count on this watch as well and can wear it all the time. You will not see another like this one, I am sure of that. 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 the 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...

Circa 1930 True Art Deco Benrus Wrist Watch, 28 x 26 M.M. 14k White and Yellow Gold 2 piece hinged case with hand Chased design work on the top and sides. 17 Jewel, mechanical, manua...

1930s 14k Gold Waltham Art Deco Wristwatch with Historic Engraving A remarkable piece of horological and personal history, this 1930s Waltham wristwatch is housed in a solid 14k yel...