We have some spectacular watches for you this week
Your weekly roundup of one-of-a-kind watches is below, but first...
Don't Miss this Episode!
Episode #10 of Custer & Wolfe, Building a Watch Company: Special Edition Watches & Changes to the Heritage Program! This episode is packed full of watch production updates you don’t want to miss. We talk about everything from the classic Railroad and Military Edition Watches to watches made specifically for the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO. Not only that, but we address new and exciting changes to our Convert-Your-Watch Program so we can reprioritize your family history through quality pocket watch restoration.
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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!
We’re delighted to feature this breathtaking antique piece initially produced by the Rockford Watch Company in 1915 — the Rockford 041. This historic watch features a tan-colored dial with stunning black numerals and matching black diamond kite hands. The front of the watch also features a subdial and a stylish “Rockford” label. We encased this remarkable watch within our Bronzed Titanium case and equipped it with a copper crown, complementing the dial’s unique style.
On the back of the watch, you can view its 17 jewel 335-grade adaptable movement with a nickel-plated finish and pendant setting. You can also see the movement’s sumptuous and robust gold-plated gears decorated by 17 jewels throughout its 3/4 plate. We finished off this piece by pairing it with our artisan-designed Olive leather watch strap.
The Rockford Watch Company originally manufactured the Rockford 041’s pocket watch in Rockford, Illinois, in 1915 — the same year the federal government founded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), laying the groundwork for the development of NASA. The 63rd Congress created the legislation forming NACA, and President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law on March 3, 1915. NACA played a crucial role in developing and maintaining US aircrafts in World War II. They even fixed issues with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and supplied research that gave US aircrafts a power advantage when flying over 15,000 feet.
We are excited to bring you this gorgeous timepiece from the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 521. We have been tirelessly working on new case finishes to offer, and couldn’t be happier with how this gunmetal titanium case pairs with this incredible dial. The full moon hands stand out with their blue hue, against this perfectly clean enamel dial. It is amazing that we are able to find these watches in such immaculate condition, over 100 years later. A nickel-plated crown and hardware paired with our cordovan black strap put the finishing touches on this amazing display.
Part of what we love the most about these watches is the craftsmanship and inner workings that are seen easily through our open caseback design. This watch has been carefully machined with these Geneva lines all across the different build plates, giving a nice visual connection throughout the entire movement. This watch was built with 17 ruby jewels, that have been screw-set with stainless steel hardware. The gears beneath are rose-gold plated, adding to the intriguing look of this watch.
This watch was originally manufactured in Springfield, Illinois by the Illinois Watch Company in 1920. This is the first year that the United States began to keep track of a national census. The system was far from perfect when it was originally used and came in with a population of just over 100 million people at the time. As of the 2021 census, our current population has grown to over 331 million people.
We are pleased to present to you this incredible watch from the Illinois Watch Company, our very own Springfield 519. One thing that really draws us to these antique pieces is the classic styling, with dark bold numerals on the crisp white enamel dial. These rustic gothic style hands drawn in your attention, as they reach out and turn across the small minute indicators that surround the outside of the face. We placed this gorgeous watch inside our machined titanium case, and capped it off with our gold-plated crown and hardware, as well as a classic black leather strap.
As we turn this watch over to reveal the stunning movement inside, we are immediately drawn to the unique shape of the different bridge plates that we have come to love from Illinois. The small finger bridges that spin off and hold the third and fourth escapement wheels in place give a wonderful visual sense of movement next to the constantly spinning balance wheel. Rose-gold plated gears beneath will pull you in for a closer look, as everything slowly moves beneath the bridge plates. Subtle machined designs throughout as well as nickel-plated hardware bring some additional flash to this watch and really cap off the craftsmanship that went into building this watch exactly 100 years ago.
This watch was built in Springfield, Illinois by the Illinois Watch Company in 1922, the same year that the very first issue of Reader's Digest magazine was published. Originally created by DeWitt Wallace and his wife Lila who started the magazine in New York. The first publication contained only 1,500 copies, but soon grew to be one of the best-selling magazines in America.
The Chicago 483 (Tyler's Pick)
"This dial and especially the numeral style is just fascinating. It'll definitely be a conversation starter!" - Tyler
We're thrilled to feature this remarkably stunning and luxurious piece originally manufactured by the Elgin National Watch Company nearly a century ago — the Chicago 483. This pocket watch boasts a magnificent dial with a breathtaking gilt center pattern and gold-colored numerals. The dial also features a matching gold-colored subdial and blue-steeled solid diamond kite hands. We complemented this sumptuous watch with our scratch-resistant Machined Titanium case and equipped it with a gold crown.
Our Machined Titanium case features an open back, enabling watch enthusiasts to view its 55-grade adaptable movement with a gilt finish that is sure to grab your attention. The movement also has robust and luxurious gold-plated gears powered by 17 jewels throughout its full plate. To top this piece off, we paired it with our comfortable Cordovan Oxblood leather watch strap, making this one-of-a-kind timepiece even more unforgettable.
The Elgin National Watch Company initially produced the pocket watch in Elgin, Illinois, in 1925 — the same year Al Capone became the head of "Big Jim" Colosimo's gang. Capone became involved in Colosimo's gang in 1920 through Colosimo's nephew (via marriage) Johnny Torrio. Later in 1920, an unknown assassin shot and killed "Big Jim" Colosimo, leaving Johnny Torrio with control of the gang. In 1925, a group attacked Torrio and his wife, and he suffered several gunshot wounds. After the attack, Torrio immediately resigned from the gang and left total control to Capone. When Torrio retired, the Chicago gang grossed around $70 million (over $1 billion in 2022) annually from bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution.
The Boston 458 (R.T.'s Pick)
"We haven't used a blued titanium case in a very long time, and this one just works so well with the grey strap and gorgeous white dial. Classic but fun and different!" - R.T.
We’re pleased to present this sophisticated piece initially produced by the American Waltham Watch Company in 1900 — the Boston 458. This historic watch boasts an elegant dial with a pristine, linen white dial with stylized black numerals and dark red minute numerals. The front of the watch also features a subdial and blued-steel spade hands. We matched this antique piece with our one-of-kind, robust Blued Titanium case, making the dial look even more remarkable, and we also equipped it with a nickel-plated crown.
On the back of the watch, you can view its Royal-grade open-face movement, boasting a patent regulator, Breguet hairspring, and a “Royal” engraving. The movement also showcases bronze and gold-plated gears powered by 17 jewels throughout its ¾ plate. Finally, we matched this stunning watch with our comfortable, artisan-designed Stone leather watch strap, perfectly complementing the watch’s unique style.
The American Waltham Watch Company originally manufactured the Boston 458’s pocket watch in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1900 — the same year Eastman Kodak released the first Kodak Brownie camera, making snapshot photography accessible to the public. Although the camera was a monumental success among Americans, Kodak primarily marketed the camera to children. Kodak sold the camera for $1, and it used a Meniscus Achromat lens.
We are proud to release this wonderful timepiece from the Illinois Watch Company, our Springfield 518. We love the classic look of this unique dial, paired with the dark tones of our gunmetal titanium case. The open-kite hands have been darkened to stand out nicely along with the bold, dark numerals. We chose a copper-plated crown and hardware to add a touch of color and match the rye strap.
The movement inside this 1923 watch is the 274 grade from Illinois, complete with 21 spectacular jewels. The large 3/4 build plate has been carefully machined to display these wonderful Geneva lines that cover the entirety of the surface. We can't take our eyes off all the precious metal accents, with brass hardware throughout, as well as gold-plated gears beneath and a brass balance wheel.
In 1922, a year before this watch was originally produced, the premiere of the first Women’s World Games took place in Paris and an international interest in women’s sports was emerging. In 1923, New Jersey hosted the very first women’s outdoor track and field championship. The meet was held on September 29th at Weequahic Park and consisted of 11 total events. It was seen as a huge success and helped to promote more women’s sporting events to come.
