One for the collectors. Here we have a beautiful and early example from 1936, of a Tissot 38mm oversized steel case chronograph. It is a less common variation with the reset pusher to the crown. It has the legendary calibre 15TL 33.3 movement inside. It has the clean and clear two-tone dial, with satin exterior and centre, separated by the matte silver finish. It has the blue Telemetre scale with the snail track to the centre. The numerals are bold Arabic numerals, with the balanced inset sub-dials at 9 and 3. The hands are all original with the beautiful thermally blued tone which has oxidised to a rich purple. The case is a 3-piece design with snap on bezel and rear. It is very sharp with its mix of polished and brushed surfaces. The pusher is set at 2 o’clock with the original crown and pusher to the centre of the crown. Inside it is signed with the Tissot logo and the serial number dates it to 1936. The movement is the Tissot 15TL which is also known as the calibre 33.3, used by Omega too. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time. 
 
To the inside of the case back there is a very small engraving which reads “Italian Internee Camp, Fayed, M Fischer, 8/44”. 
During WW2 Fayid was an air base for the RAF. It was used as a military airfield by the RAF and the United States Army Air Forces during the North African campaign against Axis forces. It was also the site of Camp Fayed which was a significant internment camp of Italian Egyptians, managed by British authorities. 
Sadly, it is very difficult to identify who the owner was. It is likely our M Fischer was a member of the British RAF, Navy or Army who spent time in the area in 1944. 
 
However, this does add an interesting layer of history, whilst also demonstrating the popularity of such functional watches with the military during WW2. 
The dial is a clean and clear design with the two-tone silver finish. It has a silver satin sector around the outside with the blue Telemetre scale. The next circular section has a darker matte silver tone with the seconds track to the outside and the bold arabic hour markers. The centre of the dial is rounded off with the satin tone, with the blue Tachymetre snail scale. Above the hand stack, the dial is signed with the stylised Tissot long T logo. It has the two inset sub-dials with the constant seconds at 9 and the 30 minute counter of 3. Both have the classic rail road tracks to the outside. 
 
The case is well sized, even by modern standards. It is of oversized proportions for the era, measuring 38mm x 38mm. It has a lug-to-lug measurement of 44.25mm with a 20mm lug width. It is formed of stainless steel and is a 3 piece design with snap on bezel and case back. The dished bezel design has the polished finish which surrounds the dial with light. The bevel downwards transitions smoothly into the flat sides of the case. The lugs have the polished finish to the top and are tapered with the smooth downturn to meet the wrist. The watch has fixed bars which are straight and original. The sides of the case have the brushed finish, with the oval pusher at 2 O’clock. Below is the chunky stepped onion crown, which is uncommon with the reset pusher set to the centre. 
The case back has the polished finish and snaps into place. Inside it is signed as ‘Staybrite’ with the Tissot logo. The personal engraving is set just below the Tissot signing and is only visible with a loupe. The serial number is defined to the bottom.
 
Inside is the Tissot calibre 15TL 33.3. It is a manually wound column wheel chronograph movement, which has 17 jewels and operates at a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has been recently serviced and is keeping excellent time to within +15 seconds per day. 
 
Omega and Tissot watches of the period brought a fusion of style, robust design, accuracy and technical innovation, which makes them so sought after and collectable. 
They were favoured by military forces, explorers and those within motorsport. 
 
Lemania developed the 33.3, which was adopted by Omega throughout the 1930s and 40s. It is said that only 14,000 movements were produced over a 20 year period.
In 1930 Omega and Tissot pooled resources to form “SSIH Societe Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogere”. The companies remained separate with Omega occupying the medium/high market, with Tissot fulfilling the medium market. 
 
The result of this is that Chronographs with the 33.3 movement can be Tissot, Omega or have a dial signed Omega Watch Co Tissot. Cases and parts were also interchangeably used, meaning there is no difference apart from the signing. Despite this, Omega signed examples still command a premium. 
 
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in good lightly aged condition. It has some speckled ageing to the outside of the dial, around the Tachymetre scale. The matte central band with the hour markers has darkened with age. There are some light scratches associated with age. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and correct. They have the rich purple tone, with the thermally blued finish having oxidised with age. 
 
Glass: 
The crystal is a replacement which is in perfect condition.
 
Crown and pushers:
The oval pusher is original, as is the crown and central pusher on the crown. All are in good condition and function well. 
 
Case:
The steel case is in good original unpolished condition. It has the polished finishes, with the brushed sides. It has only light marks with no noticeable nicks. 
 
Caseback:
The snap-on case back is Steel and is in decent unpolished condition. It has a polished finish with light scratching associated with age.
 
Bracelet:
The watch is presented on a period adjustable bracelet which is in good vintage condition.
 
Movement: 
Inside is the Tissot 15TL 33.3. It is a manual wind column wheel chronograph movement, with a jewel count of 17. It displays the hours, minutes, small seconds, 30-minute counter and central 60 second hand. It is in good condition, keeping very good time, with the chronograph functioning smoothly. It’s keeping time to within + 15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 310 degrees and a beat error of 1.0m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 38mm
Case width with crown & pusher: 41.25mm 
Case length: 38mm 
Case length lug to lug: 44.25mm
Case Depth: 12.8mm
Lug width: 20mm