Here we have an early 1940s Fears Streamline central seconds watch. This is an unusual variation with the impactful batwing lug design. The case measures 32mm wide with the swooping lugs increasing the total length to 41.5mm. It is a chrome plated front with the stainless-steel case back. The dial is the patinated silver satin tone with the detailed 1/5th seconds track and luminous arabic numerals. It is signed with the full ‘Fears Bristol England’ logo and is marked as shockproof and water/dust protected. The hands are of the classic Pipette styling, with the standout red central seconds. The movement is a 17 jewel Swiss lever AS calibre 1294, which is shockproof and has the sweep seconds. It is working perfectly after its Fears Heritage service and is guaranteed for a year. It has a daily variation of 30 seconds.

The dial was originally a silver satin tone, which has aged to a cream tone. To the exterior of the dial is the detailed 1/5th seconds minute track with the well sized arabic numeral hour markers. They are in-filled with the original luminous paint which has darkened with age. This has our favourite variation of Fears signing with the ‘FEARS BRISTOL ENGLAND’ stacked logo. It also proudly boasts its features ‘Incabloc, Waterdust protected’. The hour and minute hand are of the classic Fears Pipette style in the thermally blued tone, with the thin tapered central seconds hand having been painted red to stand out.

It has a strong vintage case sizing, measuring 32mm x 32mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 41.5mm which aids significant presence on the wrist.

The main body of the case is circular with the dished bezel surrounding the dial. The lugs appear adorned to the case and have the swooping tapered design and bevelled edge, angling down to meet the wrist. This is an unusual lug styling and this is the only known example of a Fears Streamline with this ‘Batwing’ design.

To the right-hand side, the crown is neat with the coin edge and domed face. A well sized and functional crown, for ease of wind and setting.

The chrome plating to the case has some wear to the edges of the lugs and light scratching associated with age and wear.

The movement is an AS 1294 which is marked both ‘Seeland watch co’ and ‘Invicta’. It is a manual wind movement with a jewel count of 17 and the added benefit of shock proofing, which was not widely adopted at the time. It is working perfectly after its Fears Heritage service and is guaranteed for a year giving you peace of mind. It has a daily variation of 30 seconds.

The watch is presented on a vintage style genuine leather strap with the stainless-steel buckle.

This eyecatching example will come nestled in an official Fears box. Upon opening, you will be greeted by a Fears owner club card, with a Fears cleaning cloth. Accompanying this will be an extract from the Fears archive, detailing the specifics of this example, hand signed.

The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.

Dial:
The dial is original and has the aged silver tone, with light scratching and dirt associated with age.

Hands:
The hands are original in the thermally blued tone. They have some light corrosion associated with age. The luminous is lacking.

Glass:
The crystal is a replacement and is in perfect condition.

Crown:
The crown appears original and is in good condition with light marking.

Case:
The chrome plated case is in decent condition for the age. As expected, there is some wear to the chrome plating on the edges of the lugs and corners. It has some scratching and pitting associated with age.

Caseback:
The case back is formed of Stainless Steel and is in good condition with only light marking.

Strap:
The watch is on a vintage style genuine leather strap with steel buckle.

The strap will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter. The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference to give an idea of the proportions.

Movement:
The movement is an AS calibre 1294. It is a manual wind movement with a jewel count of 17. It has the added benefit of shock proofing.

The movement is working well and is fresh from its Fears Heritage service. It is currently keeping time to within +30 seconds a day.

Case dimensions:
Case width: 32mm
Case width with crown: 34.6mm
Case length: 32mm
Case length lug to lug: 41.5mm
Case Depth: 9.95mm
Lug width: 17mm