Les Antiquites Maison - High Quality Fine Art Collection. Original Oil Paintings, Antiques, Limited Art Prints and More.

	Shopping Cart

In your Cart 0 items

Currencies:

about us

create an account

customer login

Advanced Search

Keywords:

Seller Benefits		Catalog
Orders		Information

Browser by Categories

Abstract

Animals

Antiques

Classical

Expressionism

Florals

Impressionism

Landscape

Marine

Modern

Nudes

Portraits

Sculpture

Surrealism

Other

Product

Click to enlarge

Title: "Lady or the Tiger" Elgin Art Deco Wristwatch

This product was added to our catalog on .

Item #: 1232

List price: $8,750.00

Product description
Well, ..... raise your sites on this one, as an old auctioneer friend used to say! This is certainly the rarest womens watch that Elgin made! The enamel work on it is just exquisite and the story of "The Lady or the Tiger" (see link below) makes this watch a very interesting piece. I have seen only one other watch like this for sale in my 29 years in the business and that one couldn't hold a candle to this one. During the 1920's the major companies were obliged by fashion trends to turn to enamel decorated watches to match the extravagance of the "Roaring Twenties". The pinnacle of this period of opulence was embodied by the production of "Lady or the Tiger" wristwatch. It was designed in 1925 by Lucien Lelong and set in 14k solid white gold. If you want to know how scarce this piece is take a look at the cover of "American Wristwatches" by Unger and Faber. This watch is pictured on the cover and the description inside appends the tag "Rare" and we would certainly agree! Everything about this particular example is as nice as it gets. The 14k solid white gold case is near mint and still has all the factory polishing and finishing luster, but the real beauty comes from the colorful inlaid enamel and the elaborate chasing of the case sides. This is a petite ladies watch of the utmost elegance and sized for a real ladies wrist measuring a delicate 28mm lug to lug by 16mm in width. Make sure you look at the "Zoom-In" photos to really appreciate this fine work. The engraved designs are still sharp and crisp. The fifteen jewel movement is running like the day it was made, winding, setting, and keeping excellent time. Our master watchmakers only needed to clean and oil this piece to bring it into factory compliance for timekeeping. There are only three things that you need to know about purchasing vintage and antique timepieces and that is condition, condition, and condition! This one has all three in abundance. But what about the story of "The Lady or the Tiger". Where did the name come from? You can read the story here; -stories/UBooks/LadyTige.shtml I remember reading the short story as a course requirement when in high school and hadn't thought about it for many years until we ran across this beauty! You may buy this watch with the knowledge that you will probably never see a nicer one. We even have the original box. I think that this watch was so treasured by it's original owner that she was afraid to wear it and only put it on the wrist for those few very special occasions. Just think, this watch could be yours! Remember our famous one year parts and labor warranty allows you to purchase with confidence from Father Time...simply the best vintage watches on the internet!