According to some historians, Queen Elizabeth I owned the world's first wristwatch, an exquisite, jewel-encrusted bracelet featuring a watch at its center. The first published reference to a "wrist worn watch" refers to a costly bracelet-watch given by Empress Josephine to her daughter-in-law as a wedding gift in 1806. According to history, both of these objects shared something in common - each was a jeweled bracelet with a watch at its center. Since the watch's invention, distinguished women have sought these exquisite bracelets equipped with Swiss watches as functional and artistic objects of jewelry.
The bracelet-watch featured in today's offering is a lovely example of one of these fine wristwatches. Crafted from solid platinum and bejeweled with approx. 95 diamonds, including six gorgeous and larger channel set baguettes, it showcases elegance and refined taste.
Featuring a dramatic jeweled motif, this cocktail watch as it is called, added the perfect finishing touch to the formal attire worn to galas, award ceremonies, or special gatherings. Much more than just an objet d'art, this luxurious jeweled accessory functions as a precision Swiss wristwatch.
It's fun to think about the kind of woman who might have worn this when it was made around the Roaring '20's or '30's at the heart of the Art Deco period. At the time, it would have been quite a piece for a very special American woman - and now it's available to be for you.
It has all of its original parts. Its platinum case presents beautifully on the wrist. Its dial shows only fairly light aging and one mark from the hands contacting it as they rotated. It may have been very well-refinished many decades ago. And its handwound Swiss movement made by Orient Watch Co. is running shockingly true.
One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Despite their Swiss precision, these very petite movements naturally succumb to the laws of physics of their accuracy, which was hard to achieve even when they were first made because of their size, naturally diminishes. That's not the case with this watch that after our watchmaker's servicing is keeping wonderfully accurate time, even when tested on a machine that spins it in all directions simulating it being worn on the wrist.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.
Don't miss the opportunity to own this vintage cocktail watch. Today's ladies watches don't come close to matching the history and romance of this original.
- Manufacturer: Oriental Watch Co.
- Country of origin: Switzerland, made for the U.S. market
- Year made: c. 1920's
- Functions: Hours and minutes
- Designed for: Women
- Case material: Platinum
- Case markings (inside): Plat
- Case condition: Presents beautifully on the wrist. Light wear to the back.
- Dimensions: 13mm wide (excluding crown), 37mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Light silver with black painted stylized Arabic indices and railraod minute track, shows only fairly light aging and one mark from the hands contacting it as they rotated. It may have been very well-refinished many decades ago.
- Hands: Original, blue steel "modernes"
- Movement type: Oriental Watch Co., baguette, 17 jewels, rhodium plated, self-compensating balance spring, index regulator
- Movement markings: Oriental Watch Co. Swiss, 17 Jewels, Unadjusted
- Band: Original, platinum and diamonds, sized to fit a wrist up to approx. just under 6.25 inches, safety chain. Length could be adjusted by a jeweler
- Crystal type: Mineral glass, excellent condition
- Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Despite their Swiss precision, these very petite movements naturally succumb to the laws of physics of their accuracy, which was hard to achieve even when they were first made because of their size, naturally diminishes. That's not the case with this watch that after our watchmaker's servicing is keeping wonderfully accurate time, even when tested on a machine that spins it in all directions simulating it being worn on the wrist.
- Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
