1940s Watches

Timepieces by Omega have been long admired for their functionality, desirability & power. This particular example is a classical vintage Omega cal 283 gents' watch, dating from 19...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Integrated Bracelet METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 36mm X Width 20mm CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Cal. 9L DIAL / HANDS: Original Applied Markers / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: 20mm Wide Gold Bracelet 7 5/8 Length, 19cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This great looking Longines wrist watch...

Rare and gorgeous example of the Rolex Bubbleback Reference 3372 wristwatch in excellent condition for its 75+ year old age, from Bracken Jewelers (Los Angeles, California). The Bub...

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Bubble Back Ref. 2940 Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally scrutinized and serviced prior to being offered for sale. S...

Our vintage Longines features a 9k gold case which measures 33mm (35 inc crown) by 42.4mm (lug to lug) and is powered by a manually wound 17 jewel movement. The case is stamped Baume...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Universal Geneve Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Pink Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm X Width 15mm MOVEMEN...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Emerson STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: CIRCA / YEAR: DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Width 21mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels DIA...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Merit Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 40mm Length X 22mm D...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Diameter 35m...

Timepieces by Omega have been long admired for their functionality, desirability & power This particular example is a mid-sized Omega ref 2394 military watch, dating from circa 19...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel & Solid Rose Gold Thunderbird Bezel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Diameter 32mm CI...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Buren Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Dress Model METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Lengt...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Cushion Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum / 1.25 Cts. CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 51mm X Wid...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Vacheron & Constantin STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Ref. 4591 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 38mm X Width 22mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALI...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Curvex Style / Reference 473 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Width ...

Rare Hamilton Collectable Ladies 14k White Gold with approximately 2 Carats of Natural Diamond Manual Wind Cocktail Watch. It is set with 52 natural colorless diamonds weighing approximately 2 carats, the watch itself weighs 18.9 grams and is 6" inches in length. Condition is Pre-owned. No original box, No original papers. Ladies White Gold Hamilton 2 Carat Natural F Color Diamond...

FACTORY / HOUSE: International Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau Shape / Art Deco MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels / Cal. 87 DIAL / HANDS: Arabic and Baton Numbers, Gilt Style Ha...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 107 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm "Lug Tip to ...

Universal Geneve Retro Diamond Sapphire Gold Wristwatch. Circa 1940. Swiss made. Wrist length: approx. 18.50 centimeters. Case dimensions: 1.50 ...

Vacheron & Constantin Genève. A Heavy Silver keyless Lever Open Face Deck Watch retailed by Asprey and with its Original Asprey Box, C1940s. Dial: The Matt Silver dial signed Vache...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Tudor STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Raleigh / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1941 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm X Diameter 29mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber Font 30 DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a rare little watch by Rolex. It is part of the Tudor series but it signed Rolex Geneve...

Circa 1940s Hamilton "Top Hat" 39 X 20 M.M. 2 piece 14k Yellow Gold case, 17 Jewel Grade 980 Mechanical, manual wind movement, Silver Satin dial with Diamond set, White Gold markers....

FACTORY / HOUSE: Kelbert Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Width 14mm MOVEME...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference Veri-Thin METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 43mm MOVE...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Knapp & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 32mm Length X 26mm Width MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Art Deco Arabic...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Westfield / Bulova STYLE / REFERENCE: "Curvex" Style / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Width 20mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 6PW DIAL / HANDS: Two Tone Silver & White with Arabic Numerals / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Black Lizard 14mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a classic example of the design style called the Curvex. This piece done by Westfield is actually a Bulova...

This Vacheron & Constantin 18K gold mechanical watch is centering a rectangular silver-tone dial with applied gold-tone Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, minute indicator cha...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Wittnauer Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 5005 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 38mm Length X 26mm...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Henry Birks & Sons STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum Diamond and Sapphire CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 32 Length X 15 Width MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: / Silvered with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This great looking Art Deco Watch was produced in Switzerland for the legendary house of Henry Birks and Sons...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Mido Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Multifort / British Patents METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 33...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Nicolet Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid White Gold Associated Matching Steel Bracelet CIRCA / YE...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Tissot Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIO...

A stunning vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Triple Calendar Moonphase men’s wristwatch, crafted from 18k yellow gold and powered by a manual wind movement. Its elegant silver dial features ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 2940 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1945 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diamet...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Frodsham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 1355 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Diameter...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Midas Series / Art Deco Tank METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 22mm X Width 33mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 19 Jewels / Caliber 982M DIAL / HANDS: Original Two Tone in Sterling Silver with 18Kt. Solid Gold Applied Numerals ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a great looking and dependable watch by this legendary American House from Lancaster Pennsylvania. This watch is offered with what appears to be an original period Alligator strap and an original Hamilton buckle and box. While the strap is to fragile to be practical it does indicate that this watch is in nearly new condition. Hamilton was devoted to excellence from their most modest watch to their finest. For example, Hamilton Dials were made in all Sterling Silver with Solid Gold 18Kt. Applied Numerals. No American house did this on all their watches. Only the finest Swiss houses had this level of quality. This watch will keep dependable time for the next 200 years if you give it a service every so often. Hamilton History The wrong train, on the wrong track, at the wrong time at the end of the 19th century frequently resulted in disastrous train wrecks. In response to the critical need for accuracy on the nation’s railroads, laws were passed in 1891 establishing set standards of accuracy. All engineers and railroad workers were required to purchase and maintain their watches to keep accurate time based on set standards, about 30 seconds per week was the tolerance. This was the inspiration for The Hamilton Watch Company which was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and by the early 1900s, the company was supplying watches to the US military. In 1917, Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch for service men entering the first World War. The wristwatch quickly became popular with both soldiers and civilians recognizing how practical they were. Hamilton continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and by the 1940s, the company was one of the largest watchmakers in the world. Hamilton had exceptional engineers and designers and their watches were elegantly styled as well as dependable. As a watchmaker myself I consider Hamilton to be one of the worlds “best” watches. It was mass produced perfection. Even today, you can take 100 old Hamilton’s of the same model apart and shake them up in a bag and reassemble 100 watches that will work perfectly with almost no adjustment. This is an achievement. In the early 1930’s our family store in Los Angeles was a “Hamilton” Store. Even during the depression though Hamilton did not allow you to discount the price to sell a watch. Also, in the neighborhood was another Hamilton store and one day the owner sent in a “shill” to buy a Hamilton from us, someone gave them a slight discount. Well, that was all it took for Hamilton to “pull the line” from us. In those days the local jewelry supply houses sold you the watches and they were all told not to sell to us. We simply contacted Gruen, and they were very excited to have a new account...

17 Jewels Alki Mechanical Movement 50-8, Swiss Made, with 1/20 12k Gold Filled Henry Pommier Coil Bracelet, Case measures about 15 x 18.5mm. Watch Running, Age wear and surface scrat...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Helbros Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tortue Shape / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS...

A rare vintage Rolex Perpetual Chronometer Officially Certified Ref. 4645 “Cioccolatone”, an exceptional example of Rolex’s post-war creativity. This striking timepiece features its ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Tissot Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SI...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / The Adrian METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 25mm X Width 37mm...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Two Tone METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / 14Kt. Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1945 or 46 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm...

This is a wonderful and rare 1940s gents Patek Philippe wristwatch. The watch features a silver dial with white hour and minute hands and a seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The watch ha...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Charles Nicolet STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Rose Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 47mm X Diameter 40mm MOVEM...

NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. 1949 Wittnauer Vintage 14K Gold Mens Watch - OWNED & WORN BY YANKEE BASEBALL GREAT LEFTY GOMEZ Certificate of Authenticity - Full Provenance with 2 COAs - 1 Year Warranty Today's offering showcases this elegant and striking vintage 14K gold Wittnauer watch...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 449 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 22mm...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Benrus Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diamete...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau / Reference 387 METAL / MATERIAL: Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Width 25mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 426 DIAL / HANDS: Silvered Original Dial with Gilt Arabic Numeral Markers / Gilt Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This great looking Art Deco Watch was produced by legendary house of Gruen. The watch is dependable and easy to service. In the 1930's, we became Gruen agents in Los Angeles California. Gruen was a great company to work with because they had large collection, great styling, they were innovative and offered great service to their customers. It is sad that they could not, like so many other American Watch Companies withstand the Swiss and Japanese marketing. Founded in 1894 by Dietrich Gruen. The company had their American base in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it produced a wide variety of watches, including pocket watches, wristwatches, and chronographs. Gruen watches were known for their high quality and stylish designs, and they were popular...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual "Bubble Back" / Reference 5011 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1948 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Lengt...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 24mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewel / Caliber 750 B DIAL / HANDS: Original with Arabic Numerals / ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 17mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Through the American civil war and two World Wars, and beyond, Waltham's legacy and spirit lives on in this wonderful vintage watch. It is truly a representation of the idea of American Exceptionalism. The wonderfully crafted design is timeless. Even after 100 years or more, this watch can dependably be worn, used and counted on to get you there on time, every time. It is versatile enough to be worn for all types of occasions and various clothes. Wear it with a suit or even for more casual occasions but, certainly, feel confident that you are wearing a piece of history. The Waltham Watch Company was an American watch manufacturing house founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It was the first American company to mass-produce watches using interchangeable parts. The company's watches were known for their quality and affordability, and they quickly became popular with consumers. Waltham played a major role in the development of the American watch industry as well as establishing the concept of “mass produced” products. By the way, Henry Ford was a watchmaker, and he was inspired to build cars the same way Waltham Watches were produced, for the masses with interchangeable parts. Waltham’s success helped to make the United States a major player in the global watch market as well as promote the idea of “industrialization.” Before the Waltham Watch Company, watches were generally produced by hand, in “cottage” industries. They were owned by the wealthier class or the “working class” that needed to know the time. The company's affordable watches made them accessible to a wider range of people and helped to change the way people thought about time. Prior to this, people used their local Church bells to direct them in their daily lives. The Company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. During the American Civil War, they supplied watches to the military, and of course they grew because of this association. In 1885, they moved their headquarters to Waltham, Massachusetts, and changed their name to the American Waltham Watch Company. Waltham was a major exhibitor at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The company's exhibit at the exposition was housed in a large pavilion that was designed to resemble a factory. The pavilion was filled with watches of all shapes and sizes, as well as machinery used in the manufacturing process. The exhibit was a major success, and it helped to raise the profile of Waltham watches around the world. Amongst the visitors at the exhibition was a contingent from Switzerland. When they realized what Waltham was doing, they quickly understood that their methods were outdated and soon enough they would be a country unable to compete. They also went to the Waltham factory for a visit after the exhibition. It is said that they purchased a few of Waltham’s higher grade movements. The director of the factory said he would have them “adjusted” before they left, but they said it was not necessary. When they arrived back in Switzerland, they checked them and were shocked at the level of quality and accuracy. This prompted them to buy some of the equipment that Waltham was using so they could start building better watches that were less expensive and more accurate. Some of that machinery ended up in the small town of Schaffhausen and became The International Watch Company. They are still in business today making exceptional watches. The military, for any nation, is a powerful source of revenue for industrial contracts. So, any industry would prosper during war and Waltham continued to be a supplier to the military for over 100 years. Through WW 1...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Heuer Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 42mm X Diameter 36mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALI...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Gubelin Switzerland STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Screw Back Case Style Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 44mm X Diameter 38mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Cal. Valjoux 72...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Bulova Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Width 27mm...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Mathey Tissot for C. D. Peacock STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Dress Style METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 30mm Length X 9mm Diamet...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm Lug Tip to Lug ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Baume & Mercier for C.D. Peacock STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum & Diamonds CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length X Wid...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Optima Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 4016 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / ...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1944 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 24mm X Width 37mm MOVEMEN...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 1155 DIAL / HANDS: Original Gold Markers with Gold Arabic Numerals / Gold Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Art Deco Watch was produced by the iconic America house of Waltham, founded in the mid 1800's. They produced some of the worlds finest railroad watches...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Wittnauer Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 37mm Length X 22mm Wid...