Art Deco Wrist Watches

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. I was selected because of my attention to detail and originality. It is a true story of events that took place during the 1920’s. What an honor for Vintage Watch Corner. I will share one Actor name, Robert Di Niro. This offering would of been perfect for the movie, it was not available at the time of the movies filming. As of three weeks ago I was picked up for another movie that was originally made in 1936, they are doing a remake. I am supplying the watches for that movie. Everyone once and awhile I get a treasure. This offering is originates from 1918, yes, that is correct 1918. There are several distinct characteristics that make this a real treasure to collect, keep reading if you are curious. The watches size is the special attribute. It is very hard to find 6 size wrist watches from the WW1 / Trench watch era. A genuine Bold Military dial that has been professionally refinished to its original status; this is the highlight of this listing. Luminous material has been applied. Don’t wait! Very hard to find an original WW1 Dial! This offering is super hard to find. You could wait years before another one comes up for sale. Take close notes, save the pictures, it will be a long time before you see another one. NOTE: To have a 6 size with a genuine WW1 / Trench watch dial is extraordinary. They are very difficult to find. This is the first one in about 10 years! For collectors who are reading this listing, they know how hard it is to find one in pristine condition. Let alone one with a higher caliber movement, 15 Jewels. The case measures approximately 40MM, unheard of during this era! Very Very Rare! I have gently hand polished this case with Simichrome, it is a polish that does wonders for silver, nickel, oresilver, silveroid etc. This watch was serviced November 2023. It runs beautifully as of this listing., It has a new crystal installed as well, I finished the watch with a 18MM black “Buffalo” leather open ended Trench Watch band with a stainless-steel buckle to match the case Please keep in mind the watches that are 100+ years young do not keep time like modern watches. The do not have modern seals to acts a s a dust or moisture barrier. Look at the pictures to compare against another watch. One has to know a bit of background to understand Trench / Wire Lug watches History about Trench Watches What is a “Trench Watch”? They were created using 3/0 and 0 size and very rarely 6 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases (as described below) to house the movement. So, the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection. The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, Philadelphia, Fays etc and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900’s. The movements often came from women pocket watches because the wristwatch as we know was just being discovered. It is not uncommon to see various movements used in different cases, with various years. Remember the wristwatch was just being developed. They often have some of the following characteristics: Fixed or Wire Lug, some rare style have Swing Lugs: No traditional spring bar attachment as found in today’s watches. Case Material: Solid Gold / Sterling Silver {925} / Nickel / Silverode or Gold Filled were used. {This case lid snaps snug on the case. This is important to note as many cases were badly damaged by their owners over the past 100 years. This watch case has been taken care of throughout its 100 years, it is in remarkable shape} *For more practical purposes, a special alloy was developed which went by several different names, such as, “Silveroid, Silverore, Silverode or Silverine. “Silveroid” appears to have become the standard name for this metal that consisted of 45% nickel, 54% copper and 1% manganese. This metal was fairly hard wearing and could withstand the rigors of everyday use, for instance on the Railroads. Case Manufactures: There were many case manufacturers that made cases for Trench Watches. Some of the more well know were: Dennison (English Manufacturer) Illinois (not affiliated with the Illinois Watch Company) J Depollier and Sons, Wadsworth, Fahys, Philadelphia, Fortune and many more WW1 was 1914 to 1918, that is the time frame of many Trench Watches. Grade: 295 Manufacturer: Elgin Manufacturer Location: Elgin, Illinois Movement Serial Number: 20427929 Grade: 295 Model: 2 Class: 115 Estimated Production Year: 1918 Run Quantity: 2,000 Total Production: 210,000 Size: 6 size Jewels: 15 Jewel Movement Configuration: Hunting Movement Finish: Nickel Movement Setting: Pendant Plate: 3/4 Plate Barrel: Going Train: Quick Regulator: Plain Hairspring: Breguet Escapement Type: Straight-line Adjusted: No Railroad Grade: No U.S. Patents: 77078 Data Research: 1904 Elgin...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Dueber Hampden Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Diadem METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1919 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Width 29m...

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. Item Description: Rare Waltham Trench Watch...

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...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid Gold CIRCA YEAR: 1910 DIMENSIONS: 30mm X 28mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Arabic Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator 14mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. This classic American Military Style watch is actually 110 years old and can still be worn all the time and counted on. The watch and case are entirely hand constructed. The movement, beautifully finished has jewels set into bushings and beautifully damascened plates...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign / Military METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 35mm Length X 32mm Diameter MOVEMENT / ...

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. Item Description: Rare Waltham Trench / WW1 Watch...

I have a shameless commercial plug for my shop. Many of my watches were used in the filming of an Epic Film due to be released in May 2023. The studio selected my shop due to the authentic restoration couple with the time period of 1919-1926. I will mention two actors who are in the upcoming movie, Leonardo Di Capra and Robert Di Nero… more to come. It was an honor and validated my shop for its authentic restoration practices. What a treat! Have you ever run across a “Wandering Second” WW1 / Trench watch. But……it is not your ordinary offering, look at the gold colored screws and gold-colored wheels. What a treat. This combination is very difficult to source in operating condition today, so many have abused as Father Time has passed us by. This is a 15-jewel movement, this was better than most that were 7 jewels, it was more reliable. This style is called a cushion for its shape which was popular in the early wrist watch era. The often-housed round dials with no seconds or a traditional second hand at six o’clock. Many of the WW1 wrist watches use 0 size movements, see below was size reference. 5/0s 26.25 mm 1.033 in 1 130 in 4/0s 27.09 mm 1.067 in 1 115 in 3/0s 27.94 mm 1.100 in 1 110 in 2/0s 28.79 mm 1.133 in 1 215 in 0s 29.63 mm 1.167 in 1 16 in I used the terms Trench Watch. What exactly is that? History about Trench Watches What is a “Trench Watch” ? They were created using 3-0 and 0 size pocket watch movements and installing into watch cases that were meant to worn on the wrist. The watch movement companies would send their movements to independent jewelers, who in turn would select the cases to house the movement. So the ordering process might go like this. A customer walks into a jeweler, with the help of the jeweler, the customer selects a 15 jeweled movement, then they go on to the case selection. The jeweler may recommend a higher end case manufactures like Depollier, and then it is the style of case as many manufactures had several different styles. Once a complete selection was made, the jeweler put it together and delivered the watch. That is how many Trench Watches (wrist watches) were born in the early 1900's. The movements often came from women pocket watches...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA: 1918 DIMENSIONS: Length 28mm X Diameter 27mm MOVEMENT /...

But first, I have a shameless plug! 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. The movie will be release this month. What an extraordinary timepiece to be shown. I have never seen one as original as this one. All functioning parts work like they should. Look and study what you see in front of you. This is the only one that I have offered. This watch in its 106 year old history has been taken care of, it is evident from the collective condition This brand of watch needs no introduction. The style of watch may not be known too well as well. This is a very rare offering, I don’t use that word lightly (rare) . This watch is specifically called...

FACTORY / HOUSE: La Esmeralda STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Trench Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 42mm Length X 34mm Diameter MOVEMENT / CALIBER: ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Juvenia Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA: 1920's DIMENSIONS: Length 41mm X Diameter 36mm MOVEMENT /...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Lancet Presentation Watch STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign / Reference 9536 METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: W.W. 1 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 41mm Length X 35mm Diameter MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Flawless Original Kiln Fired Enamel with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather Campain, Trench Style 13mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is the only example of this watch we have ever seen. It was a presentation piece honoring the French General of the armed forces of France. General Joseph Joffre was born in 1852 and died in 1931. The cover reads, J. J. C. Joffre Generalissime Armees Francaises...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Concord Watch Co. for Cuervo & Sobrinos STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 3...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Regina Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military Campaign or Trench Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENS...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Regina Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Sterling CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS: Length 39mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Arabic Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a classic example of a WW1 military...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Movado Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 50mm x Diameter 32mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Luminous Hands / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 10mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This very unique watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany & Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Calendar Day Wheel METAL / MATERIAL: 18k White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Diame...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Repeating Wrist Watch on Gongs METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1910 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Diameter 18mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 31 Jewels / Caliber High Grade Repeater DIAL / HANDS: / Original Kiln Fired Enamel with Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This remarkable high grade hand made watch watch was produced by Tiffany sometime between 1910 and 1920. The watch is of the highest quality with 31 jewels and with a 5 minute repeating mechanism. It may have originally been done as a pendant watch but we cannot confirm this. The movement looks like it is a Patek Philippe quality...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Eterna Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign / Trench Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 49mm X Diameter 42mm ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Trench / WW 1 METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1910's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tortue Shaped (Tortoise) METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1912 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 25mm X Width 32mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Jeweled Series DIAL / HANDS: Original with Kiln Fired Enamel Printing / Original Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT WOW...This is an amazing early American Wrist Watch. We have never seen this exceptional model before. The entire watch, case, dial and movement are hand made. The case is custom made for Tiffany and is dated and patented in 1912. This watch came out nearly exactly the same year that Cartier introduced his Tortue watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Reference 374 METAL / MATERIAL: 9 CT Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 29mm X Diameter ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Cuervo Y Sobrinos STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau Shaped / Military Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver and Niello Inlay CIRCA / YE...

FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson Jewelers STYLE / REFERENCE: Covered Trench Shrapnel / Campaign Series METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm x Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare example of a true trench watch was originally sold by the legendary house of J.W. Benson in London. Benson's were the jewelers to all the British...

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

FACTORY / HOUSE: Zenith Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Russian Market METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Two Tone Gold Yellow and White CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm x Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel with Breguet Style Numerals / Original Blued Steel Breguet Style Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Hand Made 6mm Width / 7 Inches or 17cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unusual and all original watch was produced by the legendary house of Zenith sometime in the mid teens. The movement is Swiss made but the case and bracelet were done in Russia around the time of the Russian Revolution...

FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Wire Lugs METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm x Diameter 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Breguet Style Numbers / Breguet Style Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather Wire Lugs 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT J.W. Benson were the jewelers and watchmakers to the British Royalty...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Military / Campaign METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1913 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm x Diameter 30mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 11-87 DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Roman Numerals ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Crocodile 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique and early wrist watch by the legendary house of Longines dates from 1913 and is engraved on the back "John Hill McKinney, U.S. Air Service." The watch is entirely hand made and is still dependable. 1913 is as early a watch as you will ever find for the Air Service. We can only imagine what it must have been like flying a...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Shreve & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Right Handed Drivers METAL / MATERIAL: Gun Metal / Rose Gold Bezel CIRCA / YEAR: 1910 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Diameter 33mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel / Blued Steel Spade Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18 mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a unique, right handed drivers watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Racine Watch Company / Bijou STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Silver with Inlaid Niello CIRCA / YEAR: Mid Teens DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original with Cartouche Numerals / Original Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Silver and Niello Spring Link Bracelet / Length 6 1/2 Inches or 16cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This charming ladies watch is in excellent original condition and is still fitted with its original bracelet as well. We seldom see these truly vintage watches with original spring loaded link bracelets that still function well. This watch was produced by Racine, a small but prestigious house based in Le Locle, however the Racine's were involved in many different watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W Benson STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 42mm Length X 36mm Diameter MOVEMENT / C...