For sale we have a lovely example of a 1940s Bravingtons Renown, black dial military style watch. Bravingtons were a jewellers and goldsmiths that retailed Swiss Made watches, designed to their specification. Black dials are relatively uncommon in this period, making this a more desirable example. It has a champagne tone signing to the dial, with applied alternating Arabic and dot hour markers. It is a neat dial, with inset sub-second dial. 
The 33mm case is chrome plated brass, which is in reasonable condition for the age. Inside is a good quality Bravingtons calibre 1200 movement, with 15 jewels.
 
Bravingtons were a London based Jewellers and Goldsmiths, with several branches in London alone. They were similar to a department store, for jewellery, watches and clocks. 
They sold Swiss made watches under their own name, with the Renown model being their most successful range. They also sold de-commissioned British military watches to civilians, post WW2. Bravingtons were widely seen as a main source of watches for young conscripts of modest means during WW2. 
 
The dial is neatly designed with its gloss black base tone and applied Arabic and dot hour markers. It has champagne tone signing which is clear and in a pleasing font. There are simple dash minute markers around the exterior, with an inset sub-second dial. It is a balanced and sleek dial in good original condition. 
 
The 33mm case is chrome plate on brass and is in good condition for the age. It has fixed bar lugs in the military style, with a polished finish to the case. It is a thin case, with heavily tapered lugs which mean that it sits snugly to the wrist. It is a good proportion with a 39mm lug-to-lug length adding presence. 
 
The movement is of a good quality, being a Bravingtons calibre 1200. It is a 15 jewel Swiss made calibre, with a good standard of finishing. It has the Bravingtons name to the crown wheel, with the Renown model name to the bridges. It is keeping time to within +30 seconds a day.
 
We see this as a clean and enjoyable everyday military style watch from the 1940s. With the Bravingtons name, it’s a nice bit of history to wear and the black dial adds a touch of class.
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in good condition for the age. It has a black gloss finish which has an even speckled patination. The hour markers are good, with clear signing to the dial.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original. They were originally silver but have corroded to a bronze tone. They are free of bending. 
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition.
 
Crown: 
The crown is original with some wear to the chrome plating. It functions well.
 
Case:
The case is chrome plated and is in average condition. It has some light marks and minor pitting to the sides. The fixed bar lugs are good.  
 
Caseback:
The snap on back is Stainless Steel and is in good condition. It has a circular brushed finish. It has some light surface scratching associated with ageing.
 
Strap: 
The watch is on a new Darlena leather strap for fixed lugs.
 
Movement:
The movement is a Bravingtons cal 1200. It is a 15 jewel Swiss lever movement with a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It is signed Bravingtons, with the Renown model on the bridge.
 
The service history is unknown but it is functioning well and keeping good time. It is keeping time to within +30 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 225 degrees and a beat error of 3.7m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 33mm
Case width with crown: 35mm 
Case length: 33mm
Case length lug to lug: 38.75mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Lug width: 17mm