LeCoultre ‘staybrite’ steel c.1934
This week’s update opens with a beautiful Art Deco model by LeCoultre. This pocket watch has a wonderful black dial with dramatically contrasting copper coloured tracking and Arabic hour indexes. The hands are also coloured to match. The dial is in excellent condition and a small white painted dot has been applied beneath the 12 o’clock position, presumably as a highlight reference point. The steel case retains good definition with light scuffs and scratches.
International Watch Co. Ref.810 c.1966
A very handsome example of the IWC Ref. 810, this watch has a silvered dial that retains an excellent lustre to the surface. The model incorporates the legendary calibre 89 which is greatly favoured by collectors of the brand for its superior quality and finishing – in fact this is the same calibre used by the watchmaker in a modified version for their famous IWC military Mark XI. Cased in stainless steel, the watch has a flat bezel, screw-down case back and is fitted with its original winding crown featuring IWC’s fish logo. The case’s angles and edges retain good definition and we have not had the watch polished during servicing, there are therefore some light scuffs and scratches to the case. This watch is accompanied by its original IWC presentation case with mustard coloured velvet watch holder and silk lined lid.
Accurist ETA cal.1100 full calendar c.1950
A very attractive vintage calendar wristwatch, this model has a stunning two-tone dial with a wonderfully warm and even patina. The date ring is calibrated in blue against a high sheen silvered surface which contrasts brilliantly with the main dial body. To achieve the secondary tone, the date ring is fractionally recessed into the dial plate and is therefore cleanly separated from the rest of the dial’s surface which is matt finished to its extreme edge in exactly the same fashion as the dial’s centre. Cased in stainless steel the upper body has flared, horn-shaped lugs and a chamfered bezel. The case retains very good definition with light scuffs. Manually wound, the movement is ETA’s 17 jewel calibre 1100. This is one of the few calendar movements of the period to have separate pushers for the adjustment of all indications – whilst the calendar will advance each day around midnight, four recessed buttons to the case sides independently allow for the manual adjustment of the day, month, date and moon-phases.
Omega Chronostop Genève Ref.145.009 c.1968
This is a good example of the Omega Chronostop Ref.145.009, a model that was originally introduced by Omega in 1966. The dial is in excellent condition and the luminescent accents remain full and evenly coloured. The unusual chronograph movement allows the centre seconds hand to be used either as a constant seconds hand or to time events up to one minute in duration. The pusher for the chronograph will start the seconds hand running when pressed for the first time, pressing a second time will automatically zero the seconds hand to the 12 o’clock position. This function can also be used to synchronise the watch to a time signal if the seconds hand is kept in its running position. The steel case with its signed Omega crystal and crown retains good definition with light scuffs and scratches from wear. We have fitted the watch with one of our rally-style leather straps, this can be changed to a plain strap if preferred.
Tudor Oyster-Prince Ref.7965 c.1967
A great example of the Ref.7965, the silvered dial of this watch retains an excellent lustre and is fully set with raised Arabic numerals and unusual sword-shaped hands. Made in stainless steel, the Rolex Oyster case has a polished chamfered bezel with contrasting satin finish to the tops of the lugs and a screw-down crown and case back. The centre of the case back has a presentation inscription which shows the watch was given by the Directors of Rattee and Kett Ltd. to P. J. Wright, in recognition of 25 years service. Rattee & Kett Ltd. were specialists in the restoration of historic and listed buildings in the UK. Automatically wound, this watch incorporates the excellent Tudor 2461 with 25 jewels.
Cyma Cymaflex Ref.1-5636 c.1955
In almost unused condition, this watch is fitted with its original light grey stitched vintage leather strap with signed Cyma pin buckle. The dial retains an excellent lustre and has raised gilded hour indexes and a finely gilded and pearled minute track. The watch is also accompanied by a Cymaflex swing tag.
Omega Genève Ref.136.041 c.1968
Omega first launched their model 136.041 in 1967 and the present example dates to 1969. Predominantly manufactured with a silvered dial, the present example features a more unusual, deep blue, satin finished dial. Also notable are the two-colour white and black hour/minute hands and contrasting orange centre seconds – the standard version of this model was fitted with plain, single tone, polished metal hands. The stainless steel, tonneau form case has a satin finished bezel and screw-down case back.
Avia Olympic c.1955
Measuring 36.5mm in diameter, this is a handsome and relatively large vintage wristwatch. The slim and steeply chamfered bezel maximises the surface area available for the dial, ensuring all scales and calibrations are clear and easy to use. The dial has a good lustre with light oxidation spotting. There is some pitting and wear to the chrome finish which is largely confined to the underside of the upper case.
Omega Genève Ref.166.0168 c.1973
This Omega wristwatch has a silvery-grey dial with a vertical satin finish. The 36mm diameter stainless steel case has satin finished sides and lugs and a polished bezel. Automatically wound, the watch is powered by an Omega calibre 1012 which has provision for quick date adjustment via a second setting to the crown. The watch also has a hack feature which stops the seconds hand whilst the time is being set, thereby allowing synchronisation to a time signal. In good overall condition, there are some light scuffs and scratches to the case.
Jaeger-LeCoultre desk clock c.1960
This stylish clock has a circular case with slanted base to enable easy viewing when placed on a desk or table. The Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 228 movement has an 8-day duration and was therefore designed to be wound just once a week. Calibre 228 was first introduced by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1955 and this example dates to circa 1960. The silvered dial is in lovely condition and has a very handsome configuration with bold, flat, gold coloured batons at the quarters and black intersecting lines for the intervening hours. The aperture for the date changes automatically each day but the movement also has provision for fast date adjustment via a lever set to the back of the case, adjacent to the winder for powering the clock.