Pinterest at the start of the year predicted a few trends that they believe are going to see searches pickup for on their platform and one of those was clocks & watches.

Now here at the Vintage Inn Blog we know already that Horology (“the study of time” & or an “instrument for telling the hour”) has been trendy for a very long time. How can you not love a vintage watch that keeps on ticking for ever and ever? So for today’s post let’s have a bit of fun with it and showcase some cool vintage watche ads (clocks will have it’s own post another time) from the 1920s-1960s that I have found on the web (plus some lovely vintage examples).

Source: Pinterest

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Vintage Watch Advertisements

1920’s-1960’s

Pocket Watches! So very stylish in the 1920s (well anytime in my mind). Here are some designs you could of owned in 1926 from Keystone standard watches.

Source: eBay

1920’s Omega gold filled watches ad.

Source: eBay

1937 Elgin watches ad: “Special Elgin!”

Source: Etsy

1938 Hamilton watch Of railroad accuracy ad: “Jim~Read This Note Before You Open The Package!”

Source: Etsy

1934 Gruen watches ad: “The Gift The Graduate Expects!”.

This vintage ad visually throws me off. My last name is Gruening and I keep seeing my last name even though there is no “ing”. HA!

Source: Etsy

1937 Gruen Curvex wristwatches Ad: “Amazing & Exquisite Exclaim Eminent Celebrities At World Premiere!”

Curved watches by Gruen are STUNNING!

Source: Etsy

1942 Gruen watches ad: “American Fashion Firsts! for 42!”

Source: Etsy

WW2 Hamilton watch ad, 1941: “We shall ride this storm through!”

Source: Vintage Ad Browser

1947 Helbros Fine wristwatches ad: “10 Faces That Beam With Christmas Spirit.”

Source: Etsy

1951 Hamilton fine watches ad: “A Hamilton Watch & Love Note To Peggy From Jim.”

Side note: I’m in love with Peggy’s Poinsetta blouse.

Source: Etsy

1955 Timex watch ad: “The Fine Watch at 1/3 The Fine Watch Price!”

Source: Etsy

As seen in a 1952 Sears Wishbook. Classy women’s watches with the prettiest face from Bulova & Elgin. Then classic & stylish men’s watches also by Bulova and Elgin. What watch would you purchase?

Here is a Bulova watch ad from Canadian Magazine, Macleans. October 1958.

Source: Etsy

1959 Bulova Sea King watch ad: “The Thinnest Waterproof We’ve Ever Made!”

Source: Etsy

1964 Bulova First Lady series watch ad: “Dazzling Precious Diamond Jewelry That Tells Perfect Time!”

Source: Etsy

James Bond and his Rolex as seen in this vintage 1965 ad promoting the watch & the next James Bond movie, ‘Thunderball’.

Source: Pinterest

1966 Timex electric wrist watch.

Source: Etsy

Examples of vintage watches you can buy online for Men and Women:

1969 Lucerne Swiss Calendar Watch (avail as of March 2nd, 2022 HERE).

This watch is the Lucerne Calendar watch which was swiss made and touts that it has a unbreakable mainspring. The watch has been stored in the original packaging with paperwork. LOOK AT THAT BOX ARTWORK?! So Cool!

Source: Etsy

Remember all those GRUEN ads above? Here is a couple examples (of many on ETSY) that you can take home and start enjoying ASAP.

1930s women’s watch by GRUEN. What a beauty! (avail as of March 2nd, 2022 HERE)

Source: Etsy

1940s women’s GRUEN Watch, 10k Gold filled (Avail as of March 2nd, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

Do we have any pocket watch fans that read my blog? Here is an exquisite piece from the 1920s that I’m sure you will enjoy. A Hamilton Railroad Pocket Watch (avail as of March 2nd, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

“Timex. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking”. A 1966 Timex 21 Jewel Self Wind Watch (avail as of March 2nd, 2022 HERE).

Source: Etsy

Question Time: Do you wear a watch? Or not a big fan? Share any thoughts you have on watches & in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING: Vintage Advertisements 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz