ILLINOIS ULTRA RARE "PICCADILLY" MODEL 2 ART-DECO TIME PIECE WITH 17 JEWELS ALL ORIGINAL ORIGINAL DIAL FULLY SERVICED  1929

STOCK NUMBER #ILLINOIS45--------first time I have owned a "Piccadilly" Illinois model  have ever have, in 29 years. I finally found a clean Illinois Piccadilly model 2 and I serviced this rare bird with much T.L.C. This was and still is considered the holy grail when it comes to Art-deco Illinois timepieces from the 1929 era. This is a signed gold filled 3 piece case with the serial number 20,546.  On the inside of the back of this snap in back it reads "Model 164 and no personal engravings on this smooth bezel case. Please notice I buffed out to very clean condition this original glass Illinois crystal though I had to clean and redo the lume with the original hands. The dial is excellent consider the fact it is 92 years old! The movement is a model 2, 17 clean and inspected jewel movement and it is a 3/0 size piece  with broad Geneve Swiss damskeen stripes. The jewels if I may say are all in gold jewel settings. Even the  center wheel, third wheel and forth wheel are casted in sold gold. This is a stunning super clean serviced movement with the serial number 5,277,096. The band is Calf  extra long and 16mm in width. Produced at the Illinois USA watch factory in 1929.  As rare as an "honest Politician !!!!!!.

 

2000.00 USD

HAMILTON "VEGA" ELECTRIC GOLD FILLED WRIST WATCH FULLY SERVICED  AN ICONIC TIMEPIECE  1963

STOCK NUMBER #HAMILTON505--------This is a fully serviced Hamilton electric 505 movement and done the proper way. This is the famous and iconic electric "Vega" model from the Hamilton factories in the USA. From lug to lug this Hamilton signed gold filled case is 42mm long and wide in the middle of this case it is 29mm so it is a nice size indeed. The case serial number is S-627,414 and there are no personal engravings on this snap in gold filled back. The dial as you can see has patina change and it is in it's original condition never altered never touch as well as the hands. I did change the crystal  and it is perfect not a flaw. The movement once again I have serviced the proper way and with a fresh power cell. I have cleaned and inspected all jewels and the balance is perfectly poised. Produced in the year 1963 once again at the factory. The band is leather at 18mm in width. Vega is one of the hard models to find and most are with redone dials and cheap quartz movements inside as not many of us left that can service these gems to factory spec. As I am writing this description it lies in front of me ticking away in a perfect beat ;-)

 

1800.00 USD

It' amazing to think back in 1963 this gem sold new in the box for 100 or so dollars!

ENICAR SHERPA AUTOMATIC SUPER DIVE ROTATING INNER BEZEL FULL SERVCIED 2 CROWN CASE LARGE TIMEPIECE!  1966

STOCK NUMBER #ENICAR550--------Firstly I always print the flaws up front. This is an original dial and repaired as all the markers we reapplied at 75% thus the price has been reduced.  The hands are relumed properly and the back has lines though not Earth shattering at all. This is the original acrylic thick crystal. From lug to lug this Enicar  tonneau signed case (Tonneau is barrel in French) is 46mm long and wide it is 44mm less the replacement crowns. The case reference number is 126/002 and signed Enicar on the compressor screw in back. The movement has been serviced the proper way with never a short cut taken. This is an Enicar day and date piece and the caliber is 1147 with 24 clean and inspected ruby jewels. When you pull out the top crown the inner black and orange bezel rotates in both directions, when you push the top crown it the bezel cannot turn. The bottom crown needless to say changes the time. The day and date wheels both snap over perfectly ar 12 pm. To change the "day" disc you go to 12 midnight and when it flips over to the next day you turn the hands backwards to 11:20 then go forward and when the time hits the 12 position the "day" wheel will snap over to the next day. As clean as can be keeps excellent time and produced at the Enicar Swiss factory in the year 1966. The  band is semi padded leather at 22mm in width never worn not a bend. This really is quite a striking timepiece and not so easy to find!

 

3000.00 USD

CROTON "CHRONOMASTER SEA DIVER AVIATOR" 2 REGISTER CHRONOGRAPH ROTATING BEZEL FULLY SERVCIED IMPECCABLE CONDITION 1964

STOCK NUMBER # CROTON880-------I have for sale a very rare and impeccably serviced Croton double register chronograph in a 2 piece stainless steel case and a rotating original bezel. From lug to lug this Croton signed case is 46.5mm long and wide less the crown it is 40mm. The back is a screw in with no personal engravings. The case serial number is 903,006 and the case reference number is 105/9080. The dial is factory original never touched by human hands never altered as well as the 5 hands. The crystal is acrylic with a reflector ring and new old stock and perfect. The movement is properly serviced and it is signed "Croton Watch Co Inc". This is a caliber for this Croton movement CL5-F195 with 17 clean and inspected jewels.  All chronograph complications are in perfect order and the sweep hand fly's back to 12 pm perfectly when pressing the return chrono button. The band is an add on and compliments this piece to no end. This truly is a rare piece and agian properly serviced and keeps great time. This Croton was produced in Switzerland at the Croton factory in the year 1964.

1800.00 USD

In a letter to Croton, Admiral Byrd had this to say of the watches: “They were subjected to prolonged immersion, extreme altitude and high-magnetism. They were dropped and knocked against ice. They were never wound. Through all these tests, [the watches] kept perfect time.”

This hardy nature was certainly not limited to the watches Admiral Byrd and his crewmen wore. The brand prided itself on the rugged durability of its products, and Operation Deep Freeze only proved them right. Throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s, the brand launched a succession of sports watches that are desirable even now.

This watch, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, is one of them. In a period marked by exploration, watch brands released scores of watches to meet explorers’ every need. Released in 1963, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver (or, in its earliest iteration, the Chronograph Aviator Sea Diver) had much in common with other sporty chronographs like the Omega Speedmaster or the Heuer Carrera. However, due to the increasing popularity of SCUBA diving as a recreational sport, Croton Nivada Grenchen incorporated a rotating diving bezel.

INTERNATIONAL WATCH COMPANY (IWC) SCHAFFHAUSEN 18 KARAT SOLID GOLD AND IMPECCABLY SERVCIED 1947

STOCK NUMBER #IWC44330--------I offer for sale a fully serviced the proper watch IWC signed 18 karat solid gold case and without personal engravings. This 3 piece IWC case is 45mm long and wide less the crown it is 35mm. The back of this signed "IWC" case is a snap in with a mirror finish. The case reference number is 1,332,951.  The dial is factory 100% original and very clean with a bit of patina to it. The hands are original and the crystal needless to say has been changed and fit properly. The movement is a IWC in house factory caliber 88 with 17 clean and inspected ruby jewels. The serial number for this well maintained and serviced manual wind movement is 1,138,292 which tells me it is from the era 1947. As clean as can be and keeps great time for sure. The band is 18mm in width new never worn. A classic design and truly an elegant timepiece.

 

3250.00 USD

SEAMAN SWISS MADE LARGE DIVERS AUTOMATIC DIVER'S WATCH QUICK SET DAY AND DATE WELL SERVCIED  1971

STOCK NUMBER # SEAMAN100------This is a huge piece as from lug to lug this case is a whopping 47mm and across less the crown it is 42mm. The crystal is original and polished to perfection.  The back of the case is stainless and it is a screw in with no personal engravings.  The dial is more than excellent and original from the Swiss factory never touched nor altered. The hands as well are excellent and original. The bezel is bi-directional and as it has been cleaned and greased properly so the rotating action is perfect. The movement is automatic as you can see by the oscillating rotor and with 25 clean and inspected jewels caliber 2066 . This is a double roller inca-bloc balance wheel system and as it has been properly serviced and keeps great time indeed. This piece was produced in the year 1971 and looks amazing for its vintage age. The bracelet is an add on and it is a two tone steel piece with middle gold links. If your looking a a bit on the big side serviced diver's watch well this is the piece for you and comes with a 2 year warranty like all timepieces.

725.00 USD

ENICAR "SHERPA JET 33" FIRST GENERATION WRIST WATCH ALL ORIGINAL PROPERLY SERVICED 1964

SOLD ;-)

UNIVERSAL GENEVE BUMPER AUTOMATIC GENUINE ORIGINAL "COCA COLA" DIAL NEVER TOUCHED WELL SERVCIED 1952

STOCK NUMBER # UNIVERSAL75------Just freshly serviced and oiled properly with  Mobious synthetic oils! This is a gold filled Universal Geneve bumper automatic time piece and as clean as can be with the original "Coca Cola" dial never touched never altered factory original! From lug to lug this Universal Geneve case is 41mm long and wide less the crown it is 35mm. The case is a screw in back and no personal engravings as it is with a mirror finish. The case serial number is 9,961,173 signed "Star Watch Case Company". The movement is once again serviced the proper way and it is a Universal Geneve in house caliber 139 and as mentioned it is a bumper automatic movement. There are 17 clean and inspected jewels to this gem and for sure keeps great time. Produced at the Universal Geneve Swiss factory in the year 1952.

750.00 USD    

HEUER "TEMORADA" FIBERGLASS  WATER PROOF CASE  IN AWESOME ALL OVER CONDITION AND SERVCIED PROPERLY 1976

STOCK NUMBER #HEUER15--------I have for sale a pretty much never worn genuine 100% original Heuer "Temporada" 2 register chronograph and again in excellent all over condition. This Heuer signed case is moulded fibreglass with an aluminium bezel and the bezel is 90% excellent condition. On the outside of back this case it is written "Shock resistant, Swiss made, Antimagnetic, Water resistant". The case reference number is 733809. And as the scan shows you on the inside of the back of this case it is written "Heuer Swiss". From lug to lug this case is 42mm. The dial is factory original as well as the hands and acrylic crystal, never touched nor altered. The movement is pristine and it is a signed Heuer 17 jewel piece made by the Valjoux Swiss factory. All 17 jewels have been properly inspected and oiled. The caliber for this double register chronograpgh is 7733. As I have just serviced this piece a few days ago it keeps great time and all functions are proper. The orange sweep hand fly's perfectly back to 12 pm. Produced at the Heuer factory in the year 1976. The nylon two tone band really compliments the dial and case.

2700.00 USD

DARRYL, THIS IS A MOMENT OF GLORY FOR YOU! I MUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR ULTRA-HONEST OPINION. WITHOUT IT I WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DELUDED REGARDING THE VALUE OF THE IWC. And dealing with Central xxx made me realise how reasonable your prices are.

Many thanks
John B
(Sydney, Australia)
 

R.C.A.F!!!!   RODANIA ULTRA RARE 1 BUTTON CANADIAN MILITARY CHRONOGRAPH WELL SERVCIED ORIGINAL DIAL AND HANDS  1959

STOCK NUMBER #RODANIA40--------I have for sale a freshly serviced Rodania R.C.A.F Canadian Air force time piece and aprox 1959 is the age for this well serviced piece. This is a 2 piece case with a screw in R.C.A.F signed rodania back. There is etching and abrasive rubbing on the back of this case in the middle and must be mentioned. The case reference number is 4449-H and signed Rodania on the inside of the back of this case. From lug to to lug this rodania R.C.A.F case is 45mm long and wide less the crown it is 38mm. This is a 100% factory unmolested dial and the hands still have the original luminous material untouched. The crystal needless to say is changed and and if you will excuse the pun  it is "crystal clear!".  The movement is signed Rodania on the center wheel bridge and there are 17 clean and inspected jewels to this Venus caliber 175 movement. All parts were inspected then in to our cleaning system then inspected again. Mobious oils and lubricants used and reassembled to what is now an excellent time keeper indeed. The year of production for this Rodania Canadian R.C.A.F 1 button chronograpgh is 1957. The band is rubber with a working compass which I personally thought is a neat idea. A rare piece with military history and all chronograph functions are in perfect order!

5500.00 USD

WE UNDERSTAND "OLD SCHOOL"  CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

WE ARE A FULL SERVICE CENTER FOR ALL VINTAGE POCKET AND WRIST WATCHES 2 YEAR WARRANTY INCLUDED (UNLESS DROPPED) WE SELL VINTAGE PARTS TO THE PUBLIC

AMAZING MICROSCOPIC VIEWS OF A PALLAT FORK HORN (PIC 1)  , PALLAT FOR END OF PIVOT PIC 2 AND PIC 3 IS A PALLAT STAFF SHAFT.

REALLY NEAT WORK BY A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE THAT DOES THIS FOR A LIVING AND VERY SUCCESSFUL AT THAT. MANY THANKS CHAD FOR LETTING ME SHARE THIS WITH MY FRIENDS AND CLIENTS.

 PIC 2  pic 3      

IWC "DIRTY DOZEN" FACTORY ORIGINAL DIAL  AND WELL SERVICED MILITARY PIECE  1949

STOCK NUMBER # IWC90000------This is not an IWC case rather it is a custom piece and made to fit this genuine IWC caliber 89 center sweep movement and factory original IWC "Dirty Dozen" dial and hands. I can say this is a 3 piece all stainless steel case and from lug to lug the total length of this custom case is 43mm long. Across less the large steel crown it is 35mm. The dial once again has never been molested , touched or altered, it is in the same condition as it left the factory back in 1949/50. The hands I did re lume and now they are bright at night and the exact same patina as the original as I am very careful of this fact I did change the Center Sweep pinion that holds the sweep hand so the action is smooth as silk as the sweep hand goes around. The movement again is a caliber 89 with 17 clean and inspected jewels. The serial number for this movement is 1,206,740 which gives me the date of 1949/50. This movement has been taken apart and cleaned the proper way so expect a clean running military (non broad arrow) movement and dial in a generic perfect fit case. There are a slim and select few movements with the military broad arrow to the center wheel bridge and this one does not have it. Saying this, over the years 95% of all caliber 89 movements have been serviced and parts exchanged and swapped out for new old stock parts so in my point of view I am ok with this piece being sold as a generic case and a genuine caliber 89 International Watch movement. After the war they did have these pieces still with the broad arrow case but non broad arrow signed center wheel bridge so it is correct not forged at all. If this case had the markings with the broad arrow then you would expect to pay 12,000 USD or more with ease. So here is your chance to own a piece of military history at a way affordable down to Earth price with a 2 year warranty ;-)

The Dirty Dozen is the name of a movie from the 1960s, depicting the misadventures of 12 fictional soldiers during the Second World War. It is also, in watch collecting circles, the name given to a group of 12 watches worn by those who actually fought in it – specifically, British soldiers. They were commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) during World War II, and while they may not be as highly rated as other military watches when they are presented individually, as a set, they become some of the most collectible – specifically (but not exclusively), by British collectors. The British military had always been equipped with the most contemporary timekeepers of their era, from the marine chronometers of Harrison, John Arnold, and other horological pioneers, which gave the Royal Navy the essential ability to reliably determine longitude at sea, to "unbreakable glass" wristwatches advertised by Smiths watches during the First World War. But, when Great Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, few local watch companies could compete with Switzerland’s greater production capabilities, and those still in the business of making components were asked to focus their efforts on building military parts for the Air Force and the Navy. 

Switzerland would export large quantities of watches and pocket watches during WWII, to both the Allied Forces and the Germans, but these were
civilian market orders which pre-dated the war. The MOD thought these were not suitable to the needs of British soldiers, and decided to place an order
for custom-built wristwatches. These needed to be accurate, reliable and durable, which in watch making terms meant they had to be regulated to
chronometer standards, and also be waterproof and shockproof.<p>The watches also had to have a black dial, Arabic numerals, luminous hour and minute
hands, luminous hour markers, a railroad minute track, a shatterproof crystal, and a stainless-steel case. Powering them would be 15-jewel
movements, measuring between 11.75 and 13 lignes. Twelve companies would fulfill this brief: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana,
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, and Vertex

ON HOLD :-)

BREITLING "NAVITIMER" ORIGINAL DIAL CASE AND MOVEMENT WELL SERVCIED INDEED! SPECTACULAR PIECE! 1964

Dear Darryl

Thanks so much for the Navitimer. As always, thanks to your craftsmanship and expertise, the watch arrives and exceeds expectations once it’s on the wrist!! A valuable addition to my collection of iconic aviation timepieces. This is truly one for the ages.

Dr. B

Sent from my iPhone
 

PATEK PHILIPPE 18 KARAT CONVERT WRIST WATCH AND WELL SERVICED AND GENUINE  1970

STOCK NUMBER #PATEK--------SOLD ;-)

One of my friends here in St Catharines Ontario Canada bought this little gold Longines with the box, original sale receipt warranty original match serial number card and booklet.

Dates to 1942 and original sold for 62.50 today the value is well over 750 USD...remarkable isn't it.

As the banks give us next to zero it's nice to see little gems like this hold their value and more!

WORLD HALLMARKS BY WILLIAM B. WHETSTONE AND ASSOCIATES 2ND EDITION ULTRA IMPORTANT FOR THE COLLECTOR A MUST!!!!!!!

STOCK NUMBER #BOOK------As a general rule I never give out free advertising on my pages unless it pertains information second to none for the collector or pertaining to horological items and this book fits the bill in all ways you could possible imagine. This is a hard cover book with 380 pages packed with important information with most world hallmarks from the 1700's to present date, many many countries are involved and it took five years to complete. I have know Bill Whetstone since Gxd only knows when lol ! From beginning to end it was his passion and here it is. If you have a hallmark it is in this book and can guide you to proper information that you will NOT find anywhere else. The price is 250.00 USD and well worth it as far as I am concerned and as you see I bought one from Bill and I can now trace rare late 1700's and 1800's pocket watches by, the case hallmarks on the inside of the case, i.e., town marks, port of entry marks, sterling, gold, Assay's office stamps, year of production stamps, it's all here in this book and it is once again a must.

please contact me for Bill's info on how to purchase this very important book,

 and if you tell Bill you saw it on my pages he will personally sign it for you!