Here we have an early 1940s Fears Streamline sub-seconds watch. This is a classic Streamline with the circular case and curving tapered lugs. The case measures just under 33mm wide with the clean lugs increasing the total length to 40.75mm. It is a chrome plated front with the stainless-steel case back. The dial is the patinated silver satin tone with the detailed dash minute track and luminous arabic numerals. It is signed with the full ‘Fears Bristol England’ logo and is marked as shockproof and water/dust protected. At 6 is the neat, inset sub-second dial. The hands are of the classic Pipette styling with the luminous in-fill. The movement is a 17 jewel Swiss lever AS calibre 1130, which is shockproof and has sub seconds. It is working perfectly after its Fears Heritage service and is guaranteed for a year. It has a daily variation of 10 seconds.
The dial was originally a silver satin tone, which has aged to an even light cream tone. To the exterior of the dial is the dash minute track with the well sized Arabic numeral hour markers. They are in-filled with the original luminous paint which has darkened with age. The font of the hour markers is beautiful, with the swooping top to the ‘4’. This has our favourite variation of Fears signing with the ‘FEARS BRISTOL ENGLAND’ stacked logo. It also proudly boasts its features ‘Incabloc, Waterdust protected’. At 6 o’clock is the inset sub-second dial which has the grained concentric circles that catch the eye. The hour and minute hand are of the classic Fears Pipette style in the thermally blued tone and are infilled with the original luminous paint. The sub-second hand is of the lollipop style in the thermally blued tone.
It has a strong vintage case sizing, measuring 32.75mm x 32.6mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 40.75mm which aids presence on the wrist.
The main body of the case is circular with the notched bezel surrounding the dial. It has a lovely flow with the smooth curved sides spreading on the wrist, contrasting against the notched bezel. The lugs are a neat design with the sharp taper taking them to a fine point. They have the curved edges which follow the case and lead to a smooth feel on the wrist. To the right-hand side, the crown is neat with the coin edge and domed face. It is 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 1130 which is marked ‘Seeland watch co’. 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 also marked as adjusted. 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 10 seconds.
The watch is presented on a period genuine leather strap with the stainless-steel buckle.
This classic 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 speckled patination. The luminous on the hour markers is original and has darkened with age.
Hands:
The hands are original in the thermally blued tone. They have the original luminous in-fill.
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 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 1130. 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 +10 seconds a day.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 32.75mm
Case width with crown: 34.8mm
Case length: 32.6mm
Case length lug to lug: 40.75mm
Case Depth: 9.75mm
Lug width: 16mm