imgsrc= My favorite United States watch firm has long been the <I>Elgin National Watch Company</I>, a prolific organization established in <b>1864</b> on 35 acres of land donated by the City of Chicago in Elgin, Illinois. It was a strategic location, located right next to the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, one of the busiest railways into Chicago. By 1867 the first watch was marketed for sale, retailing for $115 (think of that in today’s prices) and Elgin was soon competing head-on 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.<p>I am pleased to offer for sale the following vintage timepiece from the Elgin firm, an original, nicely preserved <B>Machine Age</B> stainless cased Art Deco model that dates to ca 1930. These early <i>Veritas</i> steel cased models are among my favorite Elgin watches to collect given their timeless design…the stepped design of this example being very Streamline Moderne in style.<p>Triple-signed, it measures <b>37.5mm end to end and 28.5mm in width</b> (30mm with original steel crown). This works out to be 1-1/2 inches long by 1-1/8 inches wide, without the crown. It is powered by its original, 4/0 size Elgin mechanism that has been <b>fully serviced</b> to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping <u>accurate</u> time.p>The ivory color, matte enamel finished dial is in excellent condition, the original that has been professionally restored to its correct status. Features include a black checkered 60 minute outer track border, raised gold hour markers, original <b>blue steel</b> hands and a square seconds dial with 60 second outer chapter and ‘sweep’ original blue steel seconds hand. Signed <b>ELGIN</b> below the 12.<p>The solid <b>glass</b> crystal is in excellent condition with no flaws. The two-piece case is a desirable <i>Veritas</i<b>stainless steel</b> example in excellent overall condition (a couple small scratches only), complete with stepped sides. The original steel winding crown is also in excellent order and operates smoothly.<p>Turning the watch over I see that the back lid is in excellent condition, without any personal engravings and retaining its original brushed finish. Inside I find its original Seven 7 Jewel, manual wind mechanism, signed <b>ELGIN, USA</B> with serial number #32,441,097 – dating it to ca 1930 as per company production records. The inside of the case back lid is signed <i>Cased & Timed by Elgin National Watch Co., VERITAS Metal – Keystone Watch Case Co.</i> with case number 539,885below.<P> This original timepiece has been disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it <b>winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time</b>. It is fitted on a new and high quality <b>16mm men’s matte black leather strap</b>(a Hirsch Marcco band) with matching chrome steel buckle for a superb combo, ready to be worn and enjoyed. I think the winner of this watch is going to own and enjoy wearing this watch for manyyears to come.p<ulli>Since 1998, Holben's Fine Watches' goal has been happy customers. I treat buyers as I like to be treated: with <b>courtesy and respect</b>. I am especially proud of my excellent feedback and high number of repeat clients.</li<p<li>Watch sizes: I provide exact case measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in one photo as a size reference. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, watches for men made from the 1910s to 1970s were noticeably <b>smaller</b> than what is considered normal today.</li<p<li>Buyers outside the United States with less than five feedback: please take a moment to introduce yourself via the eBay message system prior to bidding. Otherwise, your bid may be retracted.</li<p<li>U.S. winners pay $6.75 for <b>fully insured</b>, safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail shipping. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) are required to pay 8.6% sales tax. </li<p<li>Canadian bidders pay $21.00 for <b>Registered Air Mail</b> shipping with tracking (I pay the insurance) or $35 for EMS Global Express, a bit faster. International buyers pay $49.00 for <b>EMS Global Express Mail</b> with tracking and insurance. I do provide a Registered Air Mail shipping option ($25.00) to a limited number of countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. If you are an international buyer please wait until I invoice you with your shipping options.</li<p<li> <b>International buyers, please note</b>: 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. I ship within 24 hours of receiving your cleared payment but your local custom authorities can cause delays. Expect it to take 7 to 30 days for international delivery. </li<p<li>Payment is due within <b>three days</b> of auction end, unless you have 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, in NYC) <b>at my expense</b>. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you.</li<p> <li>If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add me as one of your favorite sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s to the 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<p> <table border="0" cellspacing="10"<tbodytr<td<a href=" target="_blank"<imgsrc=" alt="Holben's-Fine-Watch-Bands"</a</td<td colspan="2"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; "> 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>Cautious Carl and I want thank everyone for 15 GREAT YEARS on eBay. Keep on ticking! <p imgsrc=

imgsrc= Founded by Ernest Francillon and Auguste Agassiz in the year 1832, the <i>Longines Watch Co. of Switzerland</i> was established in the Long Meadows (translated: Longines) near the town of St. Imier. Winner of countless horology awards, their wristwatches are among the <b>best in the world</b>, on par with the best of the Swiss watch making profession including its chief rival Omega.<p>I am happy to offer for sale the following vintage Longines timepiece, a ladies<b>14kt Solid WhiteGold</b> cocktail model that dates to ca 1958. This midcentury, Retro-Modern watch is in excellent condition and is signed for Longines on the dial, case and mechanism. <p>Its solid white gold case measures <b>30mm lug tip to lug tip and 16mm in width</b> (17.5mm with winding crown). This works out to be 1-3/16 inches long by 5/8 of an inch wide, not including the crown. It is attached to a black cord bracelet strap that makes the overall length 7-1/2 inches. If you need this longer or shorter just let me know as I can adjust the cord length. It is powered by its original 17jewel, manual wind Longines mechanism that has been <b>fully serviced</b> by my trusted watchmaker David to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time.<p>The ivory color, enamel finished dial is in excellent condition, the original that has been professionally restored. Features include raised silver hour markers and original silver Leaf-style hands. Signed <b>LONGINES</b> below the 12 marker and <b>SWISS</B> at the base of the dial.p>The raised oval crystal is excellent and clear. The case is a two-piece design that is<b> 14 Karat Solid WhiteGold</b> and in excellent shape, complete with incised lugs. The winding crown is a matching white gold finish, unmarked and excellent, winding smoothly.<p>Turning the watch over I find that the 14k solid gold back lid is in excellent (like new) shape, stamped <b>14K</B> at one edge. Inside is a fully serviced, manual wind mechanism, signed <b>LonginesWatch Co., Swiss, 17 Jewels [Grade] 14.16/b>with serial number 10,421,361 – dating the watch to circa 1958. The inside case is stamped <i>LONGINES WITTNAUER WATCH CO. INC, NEW YORK, GENEVA, MONTREAL, K&L 14K, [Model] 610 </I>. I can guarantee that this watch is 14k solid white gold, as stamped.<p>This fine watch has been cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it <b>winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time</b>. Comes fitted with a black cord bracelet strap that is currently sized to fit a 7-1/2 inch wrist but I can make this <u>longer or shorter</u> for the winner, just let me know.If you have ever wanted an immaculate, midcentury Swiss dress watch this is a great choice – Longines made amazing watches in the 1950s and 60s and this one is no exception.p<ulli>Since 1998, Holben's Fine Watches' goal has been happy customers. I treat buyers as I like to be treated: with <b>courtesy and respect</b>. I am especially proud of my excellent feedback and high number of repeat clients.</li<p<li>Watch sizes: I provide exact case measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in one photo as a size reference. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, watches for men made from the 1910s to 1970s were noticeably <b>smaller</b> than what is considered normal today.</li<p<li>Buyers outside the United States with less than five feedback: please take a moment to introduce yourself via the eBay message system prior to bidding. Otherwise, your bid may be retracted.</li<p<li>U.S. winners pay $6.75 for <b>fully insured</b>, safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail shipping. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) are required to pay 8.6% sales tax. </li<p<li>Canadian bidders pay $21.00 for <b>Registered Air Mail</b> shipping with tracking (I pay the insurance) or $35 for EMS Global Express, a bit faster. International buyers pay $49.00 for <b>EMS Global Express Mail</b> with tracking and insurance. I do provide a Registered Air Mail shipping option ($25.00) to a limited number of countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. If you are an international buyer please wait until I invoice you with your shipping options.</li<p<li> <b>International buyers, please note</b>: 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. I ship within 24 hours of receiving your cleared payment but your local custom authorities can cause delays. Expect it to take 7 to 30 days for international delivery. </li<p<li>Payment is due within <b>three days</b> of auction end, unless you have 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, in NYC) <b>at my expense</b>. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you.</li<p> <li>If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add me as one of your favorite sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s to the 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<p> <table border="0" cellspacing="10"<tbodytr<td<a href=" target="_blank"<imgsrc=" alt="Holben's-Fine-Watch-Bands"</a</td<td colspan="2"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; "> 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>Cautious Carl and I want thank everyone for 15 GREAT YEARS on eBay. Keep on ticking! <p imgsrc=

imgsrc= My longtime favorite U.S. watch firm is the <I>Elgin National Watch Company</I>, a prolific American firm established in 1864 on 35 acres of land donated by the City of Elgin, Illinois (the factory had a <I>National Street</I> 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.<p>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.<p>I am very pleased to offer for sale the following “rare bird” – that being a vintage men’s Elgin 18 jewel, 4 adjustment i>Bumper Automatic</i> that dates to 1951 and is crafted of <b>14kt Solid Yellow Gold</b>. I have collected Elgin watches for over 25 years now and have never had one of these before, a true USA MADE self-winding watch that utilizes the spring propelled mechanism (that swings approx. 290 degrees back and forth) design first made famous by Omega with its bumper automatic movements.p> Based on my research this movement was only made during the <b>1950-1951</b> season and I doubt that many models exist today. To compare, the great American watch firm Hamilton never produced a self-winding mechanism themselves in the USA but contracted with Swiss ebauche makers.<p>Triple-signed for Elgin, it measures <b>42mm lug tip to lug tip and 34.5mm in width</b> (36.5mm with partially recessed original crown). This works out to be 1-5/8 incheslong by 1-3/8 incheswide, not counting the original, correctly unmarked domed winding crown. It is powered by its original 607 grade, 18 jewelbumper automatic mechanism made in Elgin, Illinois that has been <b>fully serviced</b> by my trusted watchmaker David to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping <u>accurate</u> time.<p>The silver, matte enamel finished dial is in <b>flawless</b> condition, professionally restored to its correct, original status. It features applied solid gold Arabic numerals and hour markers, a 60 second outer track border, original gold metal Lance-style hands and a center sweep gold seconds hand. Signed <b>ELGIN AUTOMATIC</B> below the 12 and with the Durapower logo above the 6 (an Elgin patented unbreakable mainspring).<p>The hardened acrylic crystal is in excellent, clearcondition. The original, Elgin-signedtwo-piece case is <b>14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold</b> and in excellentorder as well, complete with nicely curved, sharp edged lugs. The original and matching gold finished winding crown iscorrectly unmarked and in excellent shape, winding and setting smoothly. Please note that Elgin rarely used signed crowns at any stage of its operation and that this crown is the correct, yellow gold finished original. <p>Turning the watch over I note that the screw-down, 14k solid yellow gold back lid is in excellent order, engraved with a stylized monogram in the center. Inside I find a clean, bumper automatic mechanism that is signed <b>ELGIN [Model] 607, U.S.A., 18 JEWELS, 4 ADJ’S</b>.The serial number is F286859, dating the watch to 1951 as per online production records that also note a total of 26,000 Grade 607 mechanisms by Elgin. The inside of the case lid is stamped <I[MODEL] 6901, CASED & TIMED BY ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH CO., 14K GOLD WADSWORTH, PAT. PEND</I> with case number as well. The name Wadsworth refers to the American watch case company who produced it – a company that was actually owned by Elgin at the time this watch was made.<p> This timepiece has been fully serviced to ensure it <b>winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time</b>. It comes fitted on a <b>new and high quality 18mm black deBeer Paris ostrich (grain) calf leather strap with matching gold finished buckle</b>. Folks, this is truly one of the rarest Elgin watches I’ve had for sale in some time and FIRST when it comes to finding an American made bumper automatic timepiece, Elgin or otherwise. The fact that they made it for just over a year and it has a fancy lug, 14k solid gold case makes it that much more exciting to offer for sale.p<ulli>Since 1998, Holben's Fine Watches' goal has been happy customers. I treat buyers as I like to be treated: with <b>courtesy and respect</b>. I am especially proud of my excellent feedback and high number of repeat clients.</li<p<li>Watch sizes: I provide exact case measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in one photo as a size reference. Draw the measurements on paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, watches for men made from the 1910s to 1970s were noticeably <b>smaller</b> than what is considered normal today.</li<p<li>Buyers outside the United States with less than five feedback: please take a moment to introduce yourself via the eBay message system prior to bidding. Otherwise, your bid may be retracted.</li<p<li>U.S. winners pay $8.75 for <b>fully insured</b>, safely boxed USPS First-Class Mail shipping. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) are required to pay 8.6% sales tax. </li<p<li>Canadian bidders pay $21.00 for <b>Registered Air Mail</b> shipping with tracking (I pay the insurance) or $35 for EMS Global Express, a bit faster. International buyers pay $49.00 for <b>EMS Global Express Mail</b> with tracking and insurance. I do provide a Registered Air Mail shipping option ($25.00) to a limited number of countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. If you are an international buyer please wait until I invoice you with your shipping options.</li<p<li> <b>International buyers, please note</b>: 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. I ship within 24 hours of receiving your cleared payment but your local custom authorities can cause delays. Expect it to take 7 to 30 days for international delivery. </li<p<li>Payment is due within <b>three days</b> of auction end, unless you have 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, in NYC) <b>at my expense</b>. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you.</li<p> <li>If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add me as one of your favorite sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s to the 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<p> <table border="0" cellspacing="10"<tbodytr<td<a href=" target="_blank"<imgsrc=" alt="Holben's-Fine-Watch-Bands"</a</td<td colspan="2"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; "> 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>