<P<Li>As My Pal Cautious Carl Says, Buy a Nice Watch from Mike Unlike Carl, I

imgsrc= by Swissimmigrant Albert Wittnauer in New York City, the Wittnauer Watch Co. became a true watch company in 1880, when the brand was "officially" introduced. Albert, along with his brother Louis (and later Emile) imported complete watches or just mechanisms from its Geneva, Switzerland factory. In 1889 the company ran its very first advertisement. Appearing in the20th anniversary issue of the Jewelers' Weekly, the ad notes that the company sold both "plain and complicated" watches, suggesting that it was a source for chronographs and repeating watches. By the 20th century they were firmly established as providing watches, chronometers and military timing devices to the military, famed early explorers and the general public, and are on record for producing the first waterproof watch called the "All Proof" in 1918. Long associated with the Longines Watch Co. via a U.S. partnership the firm is now owned by Bulova, once a great competitor. I am happy to offer for sale the following men's vintage Wittnauer watch, a truly harder to find Concentric Calendar model that dates to the early 1950s (ca 1950 - 1953). Folks, I had never seen this model until this year and was actually fortunate to get two of them, the first sold on eBay a few months ago. This original double date watch has a unique “quickset” day of the month where you press the crown “IN” to advance the calendar hand one day, hence why the crown naturally sits out from the case a wee bit.Triple-signed for Wittnauer, its 10kt Yellow Gold filled case measures 39.5mm lug tip to lug tip and 33.5mm in width (35mm with crown). In inches this works out to be 1-9/16” long by 1-5/16” wide, not including the winding crown. My valued watchmaker David has fully serviced its original 17 jewel, 10SC caliber mechanism, ensuring its winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time.The 100% original silver, enamel finished dial is in excellent condition, a few tiny specks only and guaranteed to be untouched since it left the factory. It features a blue 31 day outer chapter, raised gold hour markers and numerals, original gold metal Dauphine-style hands with luminous fill, a semi-quickset day of the week window adjacent to the 3, a blue steel date pointer hand (quickset by pressing the crown “IN”) and a separate seconds dial with engine-turned background and ‘sweep’ gold seconds hand. Signed WITTNAUER CALENDAR</i below the 12 and SWISS at the base of the dial, hard to see with the curvature of the crystal.Speaking of the crystal, it is a domed acrylic example in excellent, clear condition. The case is 10 Karat Yellow Gold Filled and in excellent overall condition, a few small scratches on the bezel but NO wear or engravings, very nice. I particularly like the lugs on this one, stepped and incised in the Art Deco style. Theoriginal unmarked winding crown, yellow gold finished, is in excellent condition and operates smoothly. This crown is also used to advance the Day of the Month blue steel pointer hand and you press the crown IN once for each day you want to advance. Once you get to the numerical date you want you can then change the Day of the Week calendar in a semi-quickset fashion by advancing the hands past midnight and then back before 9pm and repeat this action for each day you want to advance. I always set the day of the month to a day before what I actually want and then the day of the week to the day before as well. This way I can advance the last day manually and know I’m on the right 12 hour cycle and not have the date switch over at NOON instead of midnight.Turning the watch over I see that the screw-down back lid is in excellent PLUS condition, no marks or engravings – simply stamped “10K Gold Filled.” Peeking inside I find there is an inner dust cover that protects the mechanism from dust and debris, a very nice feature. Lifting this second lid reveals a clean and original Wittnauer mechanism, a 10 SC caliber that is signed Wittnauer Watch Co., Inc., Seventeen 17 Jewels, AXA Swiss. The inside case lid is signed Wittnauer – New York, Geneva, Montreal – Star W.C. Co. – 10K Gold Filled [Model] 2093 with case number below.This timepiece has been disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time. It comes fitted on a new 17mmbrown alligator (grain) calf leather strap with matching gold buckle. Folks, I have been collecting watches for over 25 years and selling on eBay for close to 15 and it wasn’t until this year that I came across this model – a very cool looking, scarce vintage Wittnauer.<p<ulli>Since 1998, Holben's Fine Watches' goal has been happy customers. I treat buyers as I like to be treated: with courtesy and respect. I’m especially proud of my excellent feedback and high number of repeat clients. I’m a long-standing member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), and have collected watches since I was a kid.</li<p<li>Watch sizes: I provide exact measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in photos as a size reference. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, men’s watches from the 1910s - 1960s were smaller than considered normal today.</li<p<li>Buyers outside the United States with less than five feedback: Please introduce yourself via email PRIOR to bidding. Otherwise, your bid may be retracted. </li<p<li>U.S. winners pay $7.75 for fully insured, safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail shipping. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) add 8.6% sales tax.</li<p<li>Canadian ($16) and most international buyers ($18) receive safely boxed USPS International REGISTERED shipping. I also ship via EMS Express Mail International for $35 (plus insurance cost) and this shipping method is REQUIRED for shipments to countries that do not upload delivery status top the USPS website. If you are an international buyer please wait until I invoice you with your shipping option(s).</li<p<li> International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding. While I ship within 24 hours of receiving payment but your local custom authorities can delay the delivery of your package. As such, it can take anywhere from 7 days to 30 days before final delivery is made.</li<p<li>Payment is due within three days of auction end, unless you’ve contacted me prior to arrange otherwise. In accordance with eBay policy, payments not received in four days will initiate an unpaid item case through the Resolution Center.</li<p<li>In the rare event that a watch needs further service upon receipt, I ask that you return the wristwatch to me (or mailed to my watchmaker, David) at my expense. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you.</li <li>If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add holbensfinewatches to your Favorite Sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s – 1970s. My selection changes weekly, and is comprised of manual wind and automatic watches from the following categories: WWI trench; WWII; military; fancy case, art nouveau; art deco; mid-century modern; stainless steel; sterling silver; white, yellow and rose gold; solid gold; platinum; and diamond, ruby and/or sapphire ladies’ cocktail watches.</li <table border="0" cellspacing="10"<tbodytr<td<a href=" target="_blank"<imgsrc=" alt="Holben's-Fine-Watch-Bands"</a</td<td colspan="2" Our sister store, <a href=" Holben's Fine Watch Bands</a>, offers an extensive selection of straps including BonettoCinturini, deBeer, Di-Modell, Hadley-Roma, Hirsch and Staib; deployment clasps and buckles; metal bracelets; German military Bunds; UTC ballistic nylon G10; open-ended; James Bond striped, leather and woven NATOs; WWII canvas military; genuine and silicone rubber divers; carbon fiber; Kevlar; LORICA; Cordura; GT rally tropic perforated; alligator-, crocodile-, lizard-, ostrich-, shark- and buffalo-grain; chrono sport; riveted; waterproof / water resistant and woven/braided.</ul</span</td</tr</tbody</table>

<p<li>As my pal Cautious Carl says, "Buy a Nice Watch from Mike"…unlike Carl, I don’t need a rabies shot each spring!<p imgsrc=

imgsrc= longtime favorite U.S. watch firm is the Elgin National Watch Company, a prolific American enterprise established in 1864 on 35 acres of land donated by the City of Elgin, Illinois (the factory had a National Street address). It was a strategic location, right next to the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, one of the busiest railways into Chicago, and the Elgin factory would become the focal point of the town.Elgin would offer its first watch for sale in 1867, marking the beginning of fierce competition with its chief competitor, Waltham, which (ironically) was instrumental in forming Elgin, as two of the original organizers were P.S. Bartlett and D.G. Currier of Waltham fame. Bartlett and Currier would later join the Illinois Watch Co. of Springfield.I am pleased to offer for sale the following vintage timepiece from the firm, a seldom seen men’s Lord Elgin “Durabalance” Model 2242 that dates to the late 1950s and in excellent, original condition, including its original stainless expansion bracelet and original Lord Elgin 23 Jewels display case. This flagship model (as Lord Elgin denotes) is Solid Stainless Steel and was made entirely in the USA, its one-piece hermetic case highly unusual for Elgin and more in line with what Hamilton and Gruen were offering during this period.Its unique durabalance mechanism was one of Elgin’s last crowning achievements, the 23 jewel Grade 750, adjusted to Six (6) positions – what could be considered chronometer grade. What makes this movement special is its “free sprung” (dura) balancethat dispensed with the conventional regulator pins found in most mechanical movements. The only other movement, Swiss or American, that comes close is Patek-Philippe’s “Gyromax” balance of the same period.Triple-signed, it measures 37mm lug tip to lug tip and 30mm in width (32.5mm with original unmarked winding crown). This works out to be just shy of 1-1/2 inches in length by 1-3/16 inches in width, not including the crown – a smaller “3/4 Size” men’s watch that is equally suited to a woman’s wrist. My skilled watchmaker David has fully serviced its Twenty Three jewel mechanism, ensuring it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time. The100% original, untouched silver, satin enamel finished dial is in excellent condition – guaranteed untouched since it left the factory over 50 years ago. This is a “dress” style dial where elegance is a priority with minimal clutter – very mid century modern. It features raised silver faceted hour markers, original silver steel Dauphine-style hands and a ‘sweep’ original silver seconds hand. Signed LORD ELGIN below the 12 with the Durabalance logo and 23 JEWELS above the 6.p>The acrylic crystal is in excellent condition with no flaws. The one-piece hermetic style case is all stainless steel and in excellent condition, truly pristine. The originalsteel winding crown, umarked, is in excellent order as well, winding and setting smoothly.Turning the watch over I see that the back of the case is in excellent shape, free of any personal engravings or wear. It is stamped Durapower – Waterproof – Resistant to Shock, Dust and Magnetism – Elgin Stainless Steel with case number S105284. Like any vintage watch of this age I would not suggest you get it wet. As this is a one-piece case I first needed to remove the crystal and then the stem/crown (stem is two-piece) to access the mechanism. It is signed ELGIN 23 JEWELS, 6 ADJ – USA, 750. The inside of the case lid is signed Cased and Timed by Elgin National Watch Co., Star W.C. Co., Stainless Steel [Model] 2242.This watch has been fully disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it winds and sets smoothly and keeps accurate time. This watch comes with its original “Stonewall, U.S.A.” stainless steel expansion strap in excellent order, shown on the watch in some photos to see what it looks like. I am also including a new 16mm black deBeer hand crafted lizard (grain) calf leather strap with matching chrome steel buckle, in case you prefer a leather strap or want to preserve the original expansion band. It also comes with its original acrylic hinged display case – in excellent condition. It has the Lord Elgin coat of arms (in three dimensional form) on the outside lid and is signed “Lord Elgin Twenty Three Jewels” on the inside. All in all a midcentury “Retro Modern” all American wristwatch that is as original (and pristine) as they come – a rare bird to boot!p<ulli>Since 1998, Holben's Fine Watches' goal has been happy customers. I treat buyers as I like to be treated: with courtesy and respect. I’m especially proud of my excellent feedback and high number of repeat clients. I’m a long-standing member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), and have collected watches since I was a kid.</li<p<li>Watch sizes: I provide exact measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in photos as a size reference. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, men’s watches from the 1910s - 1960s were smaller than considered normal today.</li<p<li>Buyers outside the United States with less than five feedback: Please introduce yourself via email PRIOR to bidding. Otherwise, your bid may be retracted. </li<p<li>U.S. winners pay $7.75 for fully insured, safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail shipping. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) add 8.6% sales tax.</li<p<li>Canadian ($18) and most international buyers ($20) receive safely boxed USPS International REGISTERED shipping. I also ship via EMS Express Mail International for $35 (plus insurance cost) and this shipping method is REQUIRED for shipments to countries that do not upload delivery status top the USPS website. If you are an international buyer please wait until I invoice you with your shipping option(s).</li<p<li> International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding. While I ship within 24 hours of receiving payment but your local custom authorities can delay the delivery of your package. As such, it can take anywhere from 7 days to 30 days before final delivery is made.</li<p<li>Payment is due within three days of auction end, unless you’ve contacted me prior to arrange otherwise. In accordance with eBay policy, payments not received in four days will initiate an unpaid item case through the Resolution Center.</li<p<li>In the rare event that a watch needs further service upon receipt, I ask that you return the wristwatch to me (or mailed to my watchmaker, David) at my expense. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you.</li <li>If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add holbensfinewatches to your Favorite Sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s – 1970s. My selection changes weekly, and is comprised of manual wind and automatic watches from the following categories: WWI trench; WWII; military; fancy case, art nouveau; art deco; mid-century modern; stainless steel; sterling silver; white, yellow and rose gold; solid gold; platinum; and diamond, ruby and/or sapphire ladies’ cocktail watches.</li <table border="0" cellspacing="10"<tbodytr<td<a href=" target="_blank"<imgsrc=" alt="Holben's-Fine-Watch-Bands"</a</td<td colspan="2" Our sister store, <a href=" Holben's Fine Watch Bands</a>, offers an extensive selection of straps including BonettoCinturini, deBeer, Di-Modell, Hadley-Roma, Hirsch and Staib; deployment clasps and buckles; metal bracelets; German military Bunds; UTC ballistic nylon G10; open-ended; James Bond striped, leather and woven NATOs; WWII canvas military; genuine and silicone rubber divers; carbon fiber; Kevlar; LORICA; Cordura; GT rally tropic perforated; alligator-, crocodile-, lizard-, ostrich-, shark- and buffalo-grain; chrono sport; riveted; waterproof / water resistant and woven/braided.</ul</span</td</tr</tbody</table>

<p<li>As my pal Cautious Carl says, "Buy a Nice Watch from Mike"…unlike Carl, I don’t need a rabies shot each spring!<p imgsrc=

What a unique, one-of-a-kind case and dial on this watch – I have only seen this model ONCE in 25 years of collecting watches. Or, in other words, this isn’t your father’s Bulova!imgsrc= always loved Bulova, an American company of great repute. It was founded by Czech immigrant Joseph Bulova and based in New York City, where the famous Bulova Observatory was located, high above a skyscraper on Fifth Avenue. Like Gruen, it also had a factory in (Bienne) Switzerland, established in 1912 and dedicated to the production of watch components and their assembly into jeweled movements. The firm is known for its aggressive advertising campaigns and for being the first to advertise on radio – with an announcer stating “B – U – L – O – V – A … 8:00 pm, Bulova Watch Time.” <imgsrc= I am very pleased to offer for sale the following vintage, self-winding timepiece from the Bulova firm, an incredibly styled, Mid-Century Modern automatic wind model that dates to 1959 and is in excellent original condition inside and out.

&lt;P&lt;Li&gt;As My Pal Cautious Carl Says, Buy a Nice Watch from Mike Unlike Carl, I

<P<Li>As My Pal Cautious Carl Says, Buy a Nice Watch from Mike Unlike Carl, I