Finally, Our Sign is Up!
Your weekly roundup of one-of-a-kind watches is below, but first...
If you’ve been keeping up with the Custer & Wolfe Show, you’ll appreciate the question asked by one of our listeners this week: How’s the sign saga going? Well, the short answer is — it’s done! We officially have our sign hanging on the building, and things are feeling cozier than ever. Those temporary signs are finally coming down, and people will actually be able to find us now!
The End of the Sign Saga
Check out this week's Custer&Wolfe, Building a Watch Company episode to learn more about how the sign saga finally came to an end.
R.T. and Tyler catch up on the past two weeks and look ahead to the Veterans Day release of the Military Edition watch. Don't miss out on all the details of our dramatic "battle" with the City of Fort Collins (spoiler alert... the city was great and we just had to be patient... who knew it was just a matter of TIME)!
Here's your Weekly Roundup!
Every Tuesday we send this Weekly Roundup of our most recent Watch of the Day watches. Some of last week's watches went FAST, so be sure to check the website each day at noon Mountain Time or follow us on social media to get more frequent updates!
Click the images of the watches to learn more about them. Make sure to check the website at 12 PM Mountain Time for the Watch of the Day!
We’re pleased to present to you this distinct and eye-catching antique that was originally produced by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1924 — the Chicago 498. The piece’s original pocket watch movement features an exquisite dial with a copper-colored background and textured center. This handsome watch also boasts stylish black numerals, blued steel solid diamond kite hands, and a matching subdial. We complemented the dial’s unique palette by encasing it within our Bronzed Titanium case and topped it off with a copper-plated crown.
Our robust Bronzed Titanium case boasts a transparent back, enabling watch enthusiasts and horologists to view the historic pocket watch’s 345-grade open-face movement with a quick train, Moseley regulator, Breguet hairspring, and going barrel. The back of the watch also boasts gold-plated gears powered by 17 ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we matched this one-of-a-kind piece with our comfortable Rye leather watch strap, complementing the dial’s background.
The Elgin National Watch Company initially manufactured this fine piece in Elgin, Illinois, in 1924 — the same year Donald “Deke” Slayton was born, one of America’s first astronauts. Slayton began his lengthy aeronautical career in 1941 while he was a senior in high school. When reports came in that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, Slayton joined the U.S. Army Air Forces to serve in World War II. He flew an A-26 Invader bomber aircraft in seven combat missions as part of the Pacific theater against the Japanese.
After World War II, Slayton used his GI Bill to study aeronautical engineering at the University of Minnesota. He then went on to serve in the Air National Guard and eventually became an Air Force test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where he tested the F-101, F-102, F-103, F-104, and F-105.
In 1959, Deke was selected to be a part of NASA’s Project Mercury, but he was grounded due to a heart condition. Sixteen years later, in 1975, he served as the first pilot for the Apollo ASTP Docking Module. Ultimately, Slayton played a pivotal role at NASA in the early days of the Space Race against the USSR.
We’re happy to feature this distinctly attractive and historic watch originally manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company in 1928 — the Burlington 024. This watch features an astonishingly breathtaking dial with black hour numerals as well as black and red minute numerals against its spotless white background. The front of the piece also features a distinct subdial that encompasses the “6” hour numeral and gorgeous blued steel diamond kite hands. Finally, the watch face features a “Burlington” label, referring to the Burlington Watch Company private label. We encased the Illinois Watch Company’s original pocket watch within our Bronzed Titanium case and equipped it with a nickel-plated crown, making the piece even more eye-catching.
Our Bronzed Titanium case features an open back, enabling watch enthusiasts to view its 275-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish and pendant setting. The back of the watch also boasts a going barrel, center bridge plate, and bronze-plated gears powered by 21 stunning jewels. To top the watch off, we matched it with our comfortable and fashionable Black leather watch strap, further emphasizing its sophisticated design.
The Illinois Pocket Watch initially produced the Burlington 024’s pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1928 — the same year that the Milam Building opened in downtown San Antonio, Texas. George Willis designed this impressive structure, and it was named after Benjamin Milam, who was an American war hero who captured San Antonio during the Texas Revolution.
At the time of its construction, the Milam Building was the tallest brick and reinforced concrete building in the United States, and it was also the first domestic office building to feature built-in air conditioning.
We’re excited to showcase this exquisite piece initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company nearly a century ago — the Chicago 497. This breathtaking watch boasts a sophisticated dial with a pristine, white background and a light blue center. The front of the watch also features a beautiful circular light-gold-colored pattern underneath its thin, black Roman numerals, and it also displays stunning blued-steel spade watch hands. We encased this eye-catching dial within our robust Blued Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown, complementing the dial’s distinct and attractive palette.
On the back of the watch, you can view the piece’s original 345-grade open-face movement with a Breguet hairspring, Moseley regulator, quick train, and going barrel. The movement also features gold-plated gears powered by 17 sumptuous screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we made this watch even more handsome with our comfortable, hand-crafted Cordovan Black leather watch strap.
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 497’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1924 — the same year a group of criminals committed the Rondout Train Robbery in Lake County, Illinois, which was the largest train robbery in the history of the United States.
The group boarded the train in Chicago and stole over two-million dollars — around $35 million in 2022 — worth in cash, securities, and jewelry from postal clerks. Within days, law enforcement arrested all eight of the criminals, one of which was a postal inspector.
We’re delighted to feature this breathtaking wristwatch that boasts the movement of an antique pocket watch from 1916 — the Springfield 541. The Illinois Watch Company originally constructed this sophisticated piece, and it features a handsome dial as well as other eye-catching details. The watch’s dial displays stylized golden numerals and a gray center that look especially pleasing against its cream-colored background. The front of the watch also showcases blued-steel gothic hands and a convenient subdial. We drew further attention to this watch’s elegant dial by encasing it within our robust Bronzed Titanium case and topped it off with a nickel-plated crown.
Our Bronzed Titanium case comes with a transparent back, enabling you to view its original 415-grade open-face movement with bronze-plated gears powered by 17 jewels. In addition to its sumptuous jewels, the movement’s historic center bridge plate also displays a beautiful engraving that reads “The Autocrat.” Finally, we paired this watch with our comfortable and hand-crafted Natural leather watch strap, complementing our Bronzed Titanium case while also emphasizing the pocket watch’s unique dial.
The Illinois Watch Company initially produced this one-of-a-kind watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1916 — the same year that the Original Dixieland Jass Band formed in Chicago. The band got its start playing at Schiller’s Cafe along with drummer and bandleader Johnny Stein, and they were initially called Stein’s Dixie Jass Band.
The band quickly became a sensation with its New Orleans-style Jazz. Though they received several desirable offers outside of Schiller’s Cafe, Johnny Stein was contractually obligated to stay. The rest of the band broke off from their original bandleader and formed the Original Dixieland Jass Band. They went on to record the first jazz record to be released commercially, “Livery Stable Blues.”
We’re incredibly pleased to present to you this remarkable watch initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1917 — the Chicago 502. The front of this piece boasts a breathtaking dial with a light-gray background and an elegant white center design pattern. The dial also features stylish black numerals as well as blued-steel heavy moon watch hands. We complemented this splendid watch with our strong Bronzed Titanium case along with a copper-plated crown.
The back of this watch features a 345-grade open-face movement as well as a handsome engraving that reads, “Elgin Elite,” referring to the original pocket watch’s Elite variation. The movement also features a Breguet hairspring, moseley regulator, quick train, going barrel, and gold-plated gears powered by 17 screw-set ruby and sapphire jewels. We made this one-of-a-kind watch even more stylish by matching it with our artisan-designed Stout leather watch strap.
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the Chicago 502’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1917 — the same year Jesse Lynch Williams won the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his Broadway play, Why Marry?
The play follows a bacteriologist, Earnest, and his research assistant, Helen, who are in love, but neither are willing to admit it. Earnest refuses to admit his feelings because he worries that he won’t be able to support Helen financially, while Helen worries that a marriage would interfere with their careers.
Although the play is not especially famous, it has been praised by some for its combination of realism and satire as well as its innovative depiction of gender politics.
We’re happy to feature this handsome antique watch — the Lancaster 166. We crafted this stunning wristwatch from a restored pocket watch initially produced by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1928. Its aged dial features stunning golden numerals matching its golden solid diamond watch hands, and the front of the watch also displays a matching subdial. These details glimmer attractively against the dial’s cream-colored background. We further emphasized the watch’s golden details by equipping it with a gold-plated crown, and we encased it within our robust and eye-catching Bronzed Titanium case.
Our Bronzed Titanium case features a transparent back, enabling observers to view the historic pocket watch’s original 902-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish, pendant setting, and jeweled motor barrel. The piece also boasts a stylish “Hamilton, Lancaster, PA.” engraving that corroborates the piece’s authenticity, and the movement also displays bronze-plated gears powered by 19 remarkable jewels throughout its center bridge plate. We tied the product together by matching it with our artisan-designed Merlot leather watch, making the completed wristwatch even more impressive.
The Hamilton Watch Company originally manufactured the Lancaster 166’s pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1928, which was the same year that Antoine “Fats” Domino was born. Fats Domino was one of the founders of rock ‘n’ roll, and his groundbreaking influence on contemporary music is undeniable. Elvis Presley once referred to him as “The Real King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and both Paul McCartney and Bob Marley cited him as a major influence for their music.
Although not as famous as other rock ‘n’ roll legends, Fats Domino had four of his records eventually enter the Grammy Hall of Fame, and he was one of the first people to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After a lengthy career in music influencing some of the biggest names of all time, he passed away in 2017 from natural causes.
Upcoming In-Person Events
Below, please find a list of our upcoming trade shows. Tyler and/or R.T. will be attending most of these shows and would love to meet you!
Trade Show Calendar:
- WindUp Watch Fair | New York, New York | Oct 21 - 23
- American Field | Denver, Colorado | Oct 28 - 30
- MicroLux | Austin, TX | Nov 5 - 6
- Fountain Hills Art Festival | Fountain Hills, AZ | Nov 11 - 13
- One of a Kind | Chicago, IL | Dec 1 - 4
If you will be attending any of these shows, please send us an email. At the very least we'd like to shake your hand, and there may even be an opportunity for drinks or a social event at some of these locations if we get enough people!
