Today's offering showcases this rare and stunning Cresarrow / Piguet pocket watch. The Cresarrow case design is the same as one we previously sold that was specially made in collaboration with Vacheron & Constantin for J.E. Caldwell, the prestigious Philadelphia jeweler. We have included a photo of that watch in the listing.

This is one of those pieces that very knowledgeable collectors quietly admire from the shadows: a Cresarrow-branded pocket watch powered by a Louis-Elysée Piguet ébauche, finished by James Ducommun, and stamped with the Poinçon de Genève. You’re not just buying a watch—you’re acquiring a slice of Geneva's elite artisanal history wrapped in an American-made case as beautiful as any crafted for Vacheron Constantin.

Its unusual design and 18K gold and enamel case with sapphire set crown are exemplary, and its world-class ultra thin movement embodies the quality and style one expects from one of the world's finest watchmakers. Ultra thin movements took special care to design and build.

In vintage times, elite Swiss firm enlisted the help of the one of the best American case manufacturers of the day, Cresarrow of New York, for certain watches intended for the U.S. market. Founded by Henry Blank in the late nineteenth century, Cresarrow contracted with Patek Philippe, Vacheron & Constantin, Tiffany, Cartier, and IWC among others to build some of the beautiful examples of their early wristwatch cases.

Cresarrow also supplied complete watches to Tiffany & Co. and Cartier and evidence suggests the company contracted C.H. Meylan, a high grade Swiss niche manufacturer, and IWC Schaffhausen to produce some of these movements because the American firm had no manufacturing capacity of its own.

While Cresarrow's main watch business was as a case contractor and also a jewelry maker, they also branded and sold a fairly small number of watches under their own name, like this impressive watch. Its stunning Cresarrow made case exudes quality.

For the movement, the Cresarrow chose to work with equally esteemed movement makers. The movement appears to be a Louis-Elysee Piguet ebuache stamped in two places with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève like a Patek Philippe.

Because the movement has Geneva Seals, a Dutch friend of the most recent owner had TimeLab in Geneva check the Geneva Seal records (which it keeps) to determine the finisher of these movements. According to TimeLab, they were finished by James Ducommun.

We were fortunate to acquire it with all of its original parts. It has a wonderful original 18K gold crown with cabochon sapphire.

Its 18K gold case with black tracery enamel case in is in beautiful condition, just short of mint. Its dial is wonderfully clean. We think the finish appears to be original. It may have just been relaquered at some point or it may be untouched.

One of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, installing a new mainspring, and reassembling and lubricating the movement (an $895 value).

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

Most collectors will never have the chance to hold, let alone own, a watch that bears all the hallmarks of haute horlogerie, yet hides in plain sight under a nearly forgotten name.

From the collection of Ethan Lipsig.

It’s esoteric. It’s rare. And it’s beautiful.

Manufacturer: Cresarrow and J. Ducummon
Country of origin: Switzerland / U.S.A.
Serial no.: 85553
Year sold: 1920
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Designed for: Men
Dimensions: 42mm diameter
Case style: Open face
Setting type: Stem set
Case material: 14K Gold
Case markings (inside): Cresarrow hallmark, 18K gold, 18839
Case condition: In beautiful condition, just short of mint.
Bow condition: Excellent
Dial: Champagne with Art Deco black painted Arabic numerals, outer minute track, very bright and clean
Hands: Blue steel, original, "cathedrals"
Movement type: Very high grade keyless pocket chronometer, Louis Elysee Piguet "Type F" finished by James Ducommon, rhodium plated, extra flat, 5 adjustments, index regulator
Movement markings: Cresarrow, Swiss, 5 Adj, 18 Jewels, stamped in two places with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève like a Patek Philippe
Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, installing a new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).
Timing: Timed on a state-of-the-art computerized system.
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. As mentioned, one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given 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

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

X