Ingersoll/US Time 1J "dollar watch" wrist watch, vintage gilt full plate mechanical manual-wind movement, silver-toned metal dial with luminous Arabic-style numbers and black 5 minute markers has some patina spots along the edges and some damage to the 2 and the 5 luminous paint, skeletonized blue steel baton-style hands with green luminous inserts, heavy round smooth polish chrome case with a stainless steel (SS) back, heavy classic extended lugs and acrylic domed crystal, case is showing light even wear with a small scratch across the crystal, measures approx. 32mm in diameter x 40mm lug to lug x 10mm thick (crystal included), uncommon warm grey patent leather band with matched-tone stitching and a white base metal (WBM) buckle. A handsome watch from the 1940s in excellent condition!
- Year Made: 1940s
- Company:
Ingersoll/US Time
- Jewels: 271J
- Setting/Movement Type:
manual-wind
- Dial Material: metal
- Dial Color: silver
- Dial Details:
luminous numbers
- Hand Style:
baton - light
- Case Style:
round
-
Case Material:
Base Metal - Chrome, Stainless Steel
-
Case Width, without crown:
32mm (1.26 inches)
-
Case Length, lug to lug:
40mm (1.57 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
10mm (0.39 inches)
-
Interior Lug Width:
18mm
(11/16")
-
Band Size:
7in. to 7.99in.
(measurement range includes watch length & band)
- Band Material: leather strap
- Crystal Material: acrylic
- Condition:
Excellent
-
Gender:
Unisex
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of December 3rd, 2024, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
This watch comes complete with an appropriate, intact acrylic crystal; however, on request PM Time Service can replace the current crystal on this wrist watch for you. We offer new plastic crystals for most vintage wrist watches; you can select your desired choice from the dropdown menu below.
Please note that the average turnaround time for wrist watch crystal replacements will be two days from the placement of the order; however, we do not carry every model of crystal in stock and there may be a delay of up to seven business days as we order the correct item from our supplier.
We are happy to offer alternate band options for this watch. Please see the Band Options below to view the styles and additional charges for each option we can provide. The first option on the list will reflect the watch in the current configuration as shown in the photos. If you choose an upgraded option, we will send you a photo of the watch, on request, with the new band ahead of shipping so you can approve the upgraded finish.
Contact us with any further questions or for an estimate on any shipping delays.
Please note: if you add this watch with a crystal and/or band exchange option to your
shopping cart but later change your mind on the crystal and/or band selection type, you'll need to remove the watch from the cart in order to make a new selection. Once that is done, you can return to this page and add that new crystal and/or band combination to the cart. We apologize for the limitations to our system that prevent you from making that change within the shopping cart.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
The production of dollar watches (which, by 1896, did actually cost exactly $1.00) began in the 1870's in an effort to offer a more affordable watch that nearly anyone could purchase. These watches often utilized dials made of inexpensive materials, utilized fewer parts, were non-jeweled or single-jeweled movements and often were simply finished with no damascene, engravings, etc.
Due to the manufacturing process, if this style of watch is damaged and needs repairs, it is often cost prohibitive to locate the parts (and a willing watchmaker) to make the attempt. During the design process, it was not a high consideration to accommodate repairs and in many cases, movements were completed with spot-welds instead of screws and it is nearly impossible to disassemble these watches without damaging them.
While a lower overall quality than most of the jeweled movements of the other American watch companies, with proper care a dollar watch can be expected to be in use for decades. We offer this overview of the potential repair issues so that a new owner can make an informed purchase and be aware that this style of watch should be treated with a little extra care when in use.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.
