Wristwatch
Object number2018.58.1
Manufacturer
Gotham
Datec. 1949
MediumMetal; Glass; Leather; Diamond(?); Gem stone(?)
Credit LineGift of Al K. DeRoy
DescriptionWristwatch with rectangular silver metal case and faceted glass crystal. Dial has beige background with maker name in black text. Gold dots mark the hours with a diamond(?) in the 3:00 and 9:00 locations and a rectangular colorless stone at 12:00. Gold metal hour and minute hands. Smaller secondary dial with gold hand at bottom center. Center of proper left side of case has adjustment knob. Reverse of case is silver metal with engraved gift inscription. Brown alligator-skin leather strap with silver metal buckle and seven adjustment holes; one of the holes is hand-punched. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 9.125 x 0.875 x 0.375 in. (23.2 x 2.2 x 1 cm)Depth (Due to curved strap): 1.5 in. (3.8 cm)
InscriptionsReverse of case has engraved text "TO / AL DE ROY / A MOST LOYAL FRIEND / HERBERT & MORTON / JULY 13, 1949".
MarksDial has black text at top center "GOTHAM / De Luxe".
Interior side of top strap section has impressed text "CB / Alligator" and of bottom strap section has impressed text "ELGIN".
Historical NotesPart of a collection of materials that belonged to Al J. DeRoy, although some passed as heirlooms to his son and grandson. Al DeRoy ran his father's jewelry store, Jos. DeRoy & Sons, that was located in downtown Pittsburgh. The business then passed to his son Albert J. DeRoy and then to his grandson Ralph L. DeRoy. The donor is his great-grandson Al K. DeRoy who worked at the University of Pittsburgh for most of his career. The watch is inscribed “Herbert and Morton,” but their identities are unknown. The DeRoy family is one of the oldest Jewish families in Pittsburgh. Abraham and Saartje DeRoy immigrated to the city from Amsterdam in the 1850s with their seven children. His sons Joseph DeRoy and Israel DeRoy started out as pawnbrokers and opened DeRoy Brothers on Smithfield Street about 1871. They eventually parted ways, each opening a downtown jewelry store: Jos. DeRoy & Sons and Israel DeRoy & Son.
Previous owner
Al J. DeRoy
Related institution
Joseph DeRoy and Sons
Terms
On View
Not on view
Bulova
Image Watches, Inc.
Leeman
