Your weekly roundup of one-of-a-kind watches is below, but first...
We hope you enjoyed your Independence Day celebrations! We had a myriad of activities and music here in Northern Colorado and we are so grateful for the community around us.
As much as we love our home, and we're enjoying our new building, we do want to come to you and get watches in your hands!
Chicago, Here We Come!
Join us the weekend of July 15th-17th in Chicago at Venue West in the West Loop for the WindUp Watch Fair! This is a watch event you do not want to miss. A few months ago we had the pleasure of participating in their San Francisco event and it was by far one of our favorite shows of the year!
By the way, have you watched episode #8 of Custer & Wolfe, Building a Watch Company episode #8? Action PACKED! You definitely don’t want to miss this episode of Custer + Wolfe: Building a Watch Company. This week we talk about prepping our American machine shop to move, some amperage complications + our Swiss machines, how we’re building our team and building up manufacturing in Colorado, and last but not least, we give you a tour of where things are at right now in the new shop!
Every couple of weeks you can expect a new episode on our Custer & Wolfe YouTube channel so make sure you are subscribed! And, now that we're officially moving in to our new building, look out for new and different episodes coming your way soon!
Here's your Weekly Roundup!
Every Tuesday we send this Weekly Roundup of our most recent Watch of the Day watches. Most watches sell within minutes or hours, 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!
Today, we’re happy to showcase this highly original piece initially produced by the Illinois Watch Company — the Springfield 512. The timepiece features a stunning dial with a unique center pattern and bold black numerals. The dial also has black diamond kite hands that complement the numerals and make the antique piece even more eye-catching. We encased the original pocket watch within our robust, gleaming Machined Titanium case and equipped it with a copper crown, making the piece look even more luxurious.
On the back of the watch, you can view its historic 274-grade open-face movement with a going barrel and ¾ plate. The movement also features a stunning engraving that reads, “Executive,” a fitting label for this one-of-kind piece. Finally, the back of the watch boasts sumptuous and powerful bronze-plated gears powered by 21 jewels. We equipped the watch with our artisan-designed Stout leather watch strap, matching the dial’s hands and numerals.
The Illinois Watch Company originally manufactured the pocket watch in Springfield, Illinois, in 1925 — the same year Miriam “Ma” Ferguson became the first governor of Texas. Ferguson also served as the First Lady of Texas before becoming governor, but the Texas State Senate impeached her husband, James. E. Ferguson, in 1917 because he vetoed appropriations for the University of Texas. Miriam Ferguson was the second female to become governor in the United States. The first was Nellie Tayloe Ross, the 14th governor of Wyoming.
The Chicago 009 (our first 16size in years!)
We’re delighted to feature this historic watch originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company in 1898 — the Chicago 009. The original pocket watch features a remarkably sophisticated dial with a pristine white background and small star ornaments between its numerals. The dial also boasts gold-colored Louis XIV watch hands and black Roman numerals. We complemented this one-of-a-kind antique with our robust and scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case and equipped it with a matching nickel-plated crown.
Our Machined Titanium case features an open back, revealing the timepiece’s stunning 153-grade hunting movement with a nickel finish and pendant setting. The historic movement also features a breathtaking “Elgin Natl. Watch Co” engraving and bronze-plated gears powered by 17 screw-set jewels. To finish off the final product, we paired the timepiece with our remarkable leather watch strap, making this antique piece wearable and even more eye-catching.
The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the Chicago 009’s pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1898 — the same year Guam became a U.S. island territory. The United States gained control of Guam in the Treaty of Paris of 1898, which ended the Spanish-American War. Spain’s loss of Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines after the Spanish-American War marked the end of Spain’s reign as a world power.
We’re thrilled to present this remarkable piece initially produced by the Elgin National Watch Company over a century ago — the Chicago 478. This watch boasts a uniquely-styled dial with a breathtaking copper-colored center design and rustic subdial. The dial also features black numerals and dark blue solid diamond kite hands that look stunning against its cream-colored background. We encased the original pocket watch within our Machined Titanium case and paired it with a gold-plated crown, making this one-of-a-kind watch even more stylish.
The back of the watch features a 384-grade open-face movement with a Moseley regulator, Breguet hairspring, and going barrel. The movement also features luxurious and robust gold-plated gears powered by 17 ruby and sapphire jewels throughout its ¾ plate. To top the piece off, we matched it with our comfortable, artisan-designed Olive leather watch strap, complementing the timepiece’s breathtaking dial.
The Elgin National Watch Company originally manufactured the pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1921 — the same year forensic psychiatrist and police officer John Augustus Larson invented the modern polygraph test. Larson invented the device while attending medical school at the University of California, Berkeley, and he first used his device on William Hightower, who had been accused of murdering a priest.
Although the modern polygraph was a groundbreaking invention in criminology, polygraph tests are not definitive and cannot be used as evidence in many states. Larson eventually stated that he regretted inventing the polygraph because law enforcement used it improperly. In 1965, he wrote, “Beyond my expectation, through uncontrollable factors, this scientific investigation became for practical purposes a Frankenstein’s monster.”
We’re excited to feature this breathtaking piece originally manufactured by the American Waltham Watch Company — the Boston 454. This timepiece’s stunning dial with gold-colored numerals look gorgeous against its gray background. The piece also features dark-gray fine spade hands and a silver-colored subdial. We matched the original pocket watch with our Machined Titanium case that matches the subdial and equipped it with a copper crown.
On the back of the watch, you can view its 221-grade open-face movement with a Breguet hairspring, nickel finish, and pendant setting. The watch also boasts breathtaking historic engravings reading “Waltham, U.S.A.” and “Riverside.” The engravings’ gold color complements its gold-plated gears powered by 21 jewels. Finally, we paired this stunning watch with our Natural leather watch strap, adding even more sophistication to the final piece.
The American Waltham Watch Company initially produced the Boston 454’s pocket watch in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1935 — the same year American chemist Wallace Hume Carothers invented nylon, a synthetic thermoplastic polymer. The company DuPont had been experimenting with polymers since 1927, and on February 28, 1935, Carothers created nylon 66 in the DuPont Experimental Station by synthesizing thermoplastic polymers with diamines.
Some early uses of nylon include stockings and toothbrush bristles. During World War II, nylon producers, including DuPont, created nylon parachutes and tents.
We’re thrilled to present this breathtaking piece originally produced by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1927 — the Lancaster 149. This one-of-a-kind watch features a stunningly-aged dial with black numerals that display boldly against its light-gray background. The watch face also features diamond kite watch hands that are dark gray with a touch of blue. We encased the original pocket watch within our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case and matched it with a nickel-plated crown, complementing the watch’s dial.
On the back, you can view the antique watch’s 916-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish and pendant setting. The watch also boasts remarkable gold-plated gears powered by 17 luxurious jewels throughout its ¾ plate. To top it off, we paired the watch with our comfortable, hand-crafted Rye leather watch strap, making the final product even more distinct and fashionable.
The Hamilton Watch Company initially manufactured the Lancaster 149’s pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1927 — the same year the talent agent Arthur Judson created what would eventually become the Columbia Broadcast System (CBS): the United Independent Broadcasters.
Judson founded the United Independent Broadcasters on January 27, 1927, but only months later, the company needed significant financial assistance to stay afloat. It merged with the Columbia Phonograph and Records Company and became the Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting Company.
We’re thrilled to present this breathtaking piece originally produced by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1927 — the Lancaster 149. This one-of-a-kind watch features a stunningly-aged dial with black numerals that display boldly against its light-gray background. The watch face also features diamond kite watch hands that are dark gray with a touch of blue. We encased the original pocket watch within our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case and matched it with a nickel-plated crown, complementing the watch’s dial.
On the back, you can view the antique watch’s 916-grade open-face movement with a nickel finish and pendant setting. The watch also boasts remarkable gold-plated gears powered by 17 luxurious jewels throughout its ¾ plate. To top it off, we paired the watch with our comfortable, hand-crafted Rye leather watch strap, making the final product even more distinct and fashionable.
The Hamilton Watch Company initially manufactured the Lancaster 149’s pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1927 — the same year the talent agent Arthur Judson created what would eventually become the Columbia Broadcast System (CBS): the United Independent Broadcasters.
Judson founded the United Independent Broadcasters on January 27, 1927, but only months later, the company needed significant financial assistance to stay afloat. It merged with the Columbia Phonograph and Records Company and became the Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting Company.
