Category Archives: Wristwatch History

Circa 1940 Clinton Vintage Military Chronograph

Clinton Vintage Chronograph Watch

It is difficult for me to look at a vintage chronograph from the World War II era without imagining how it may have been used, and its relationship to the owner.  In the days before sophisticated, portable computing devices, soldiers and airman relied on mechanical chronograph watches and timers for targeting and navigation.  Most vintage […]

Enicar 2303 Garnix

Enicar 2303 Garnix Valjoux Chronograph

The Enicar 2303 “Garnix” is a bit misunderstood.  Some say it’s a 1950’s pre-Sherpa based on the dial lume points and some say it’s 1960’s based on the dial logo style.  And who can tell me why it’s called Garnix anyway?  The translation of Garnix from German literally means nothing, as in: there is nothing to see here.  In […]

Solunar Watches

Heuer produced a very unique set of watches that told both Solar and Lunar time and could keep track of the tidal schecule.  The Solunar watch and Seafaarer Chronograph were developed by Heuer to not only tell normal time (solar) but had the additional feature of telling the lunar time or the orbit of the […]

Benrus Sky Chief Models

Benrus Sky Chief Watches

There is little doubt that the Benrus Sky Chief has garnered considerable attention among collectors over the years.  Advertised as the “Official Watch of Famous Airlines”, the Benrus Sky Chief was specially made for pilots and offered minute markers different than on any other chronograph from that era.  Most minute recorder chronograph watches have longer or […]

Gruen Airflight

Gruen Airflight Watches

The Gruen Airflight watch has a unique dial with open apertures at each hour that show an inner disk which automatically changes at noon to 12-24 hour markers and at midnight to 1-12 hour markers. Favored by pilots, the Gruen Airflight is often seen with a logo for the Airforce Association (AFA) which is a civilian education organization […]

BUSHIPS Canteen Frogman Watches

Buships Canteen Frogman Watches

Elgin and Hamilton had some of the most unique designs for early waterproof dive watches. These watches were used by the Navy Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) during World War II.  Also known as Frogman or Canteen watches, these watches had a screw-on cap that prevented the winding crown area from water penetration. Contact us if you have […]

Breitling Chronomat 217012

Breitling Chronomat Watches 808 769

Shown here are the reference 769 and 808 models.  These came with various combinations of case material including solid gold, stainless steel, chrome plated tops and gold plated tops. The dials can be used for various mathematical calculations which made them very useful for military, engineering, medial and production applications.  Calculations Include : Elapsed Time […]

Tissot Navigator

1550's Tissot Navigator

Since 1853 Tissot has been well known for creative timepiece design and skilled craftsmanship.  One of our favorites is the Tissot Navigator in it’s original design dating back to 1951.  These came in different cases including 14K gold, 18K gold, stainless steel, gold filled and gold filled with a stainless back. A must have for world travelers, […]