Here we have a lovely example of an early 1940s ‘Nice Watch’ 18ct yellow gold cased chronograph watch. The box case is well proportioned with the 35.5mm width. It has the thin and elegant lugs carries the Poinçon de Maître 121, indicating its manufacture by Guillod & Co. It has the thick boxed original crystal. The silver dial has the Tachymeter scale in blue and Telemeter in red. It has the Arabic numerals with the two sub dials for the constant seconds and 45-minute counter. To the right is the original crown with the two rectangular pushes either side. The snap-on case back is formed of gold, with the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct to the inside. The movement is a Landeron calibre 39 which has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time. 
The watch comes on its original sewn on leather strap, with the period gold plated buckle.  The watch also comes within its original box. It is presented in unworn condition, with only marks from storage. A very rare example. 
 
The dial is clean and clearly laid out. It has the silver satin base tone with the deep gold tone foil Arabic numerals. The dial has the blue Base 1000 tachymeter scale to the outside, with the Telemeter scale inside in the red text. The seconds track has the 1/5th seconds graduations and is nearly laid out around the exterior of the central sector. The central sector has the gold foil numerals with only 11, 12, 1 and 5, 6, 7 visible due to the symmetry with the sub-dials. The sub-dials are well sized and legible, both inset into the dial with the grained concentric textured finish. To the left is the sub-second register, with the 45-minute counter to the right. Both hands are original, in the gold tone, with the arrow pointer for the minute counter.
The dial is signed with the ‘Nice Watch’ logo below 12, with the Anti-magnetique signing above 6. The hour and minute hand are of a super thin stick style, with the thermally blued central second with tear drop counterbalance. 
 
The case is well sized for the era, measuring 35.5mm x 35.5mm. It has a good lug-to-lug length of 41.5mm and a wide lug width of 20mm. This makes it an impactful cintage chronograph to wear. 
It is a three piece case design with the snap on bezel, central section and snap on case back. 
The case design focuses on limiting the visibility of the case and enhancing the size and clarity of the dial. The bezel is very thin with the fine bevel. This holds the boxed crystal which sits above the dial with the flat sides and top, ensuring full visibility to the edges of the dial and no distortion. The lugs are thin yet angular, arching down towards the wrist. It has the fixed bar lugs with the sewn strap. The top of the case has the polished finish, with the sides having the satin brushing. The case back has the brushed sunburst finish which catches the light nicely. It has the clearly engraved serial number to the bottom. The inside of the case has the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold with the head of Helvetia. It also has the Poinçon de Maître 121, from the case maker Guillod & Co. Guillod & Co are notable for their varied portfolio of designs and brands. They produced for Vacheron, Rolex, Longines and Patek Phillippe, amongst others. 
 
The movement is the Landeron calibre 39, manual wind chronograph movement. It is a column-wheel chronograph with the two-pusher configuration. It has a jewel count of 17 and operates at a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has been recently serviced and is functioning well and keeping accurate time. 
 
The watch comes on its original sewn on leather strap. It is a lovely tan colour with the angular gold plated buckle of the era. The watch comes in its original box too
 
It is presented in unworn condition, with light marks from storage. There is a dent to the case on the top left hand, underside of the central section. This may have happened during storage or may be the reason it never made it on to someone’s wrist. The dent is only more noticeable with the case back removed. 
 
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 very good condition. It has a minor blemish between 12 and 1 O’clock, with some marks to the surface above 6 O’clock.  
 
Hands: 
The hands are all original and all in very good condition.
 
Glass: 
The boxed crystal is original and is in perfect condition. 
 
Crown and pushers:
Both are in very good condition. 
 
Case:
The case is 18ct gold and is in good condition. The tone of the yellow gold is good and even with the original finishes intact. There is the dent to the underside of the central section as mentioned and photographed.
 
Caseback:
The snap-on case back is formed of 18ct gold and is in very good condition for the age. It has a polished finish to the outside with the brushed face. It has some very light marks from opening to the top. 
 
Strap: 
The original leather strap with no wear, in excellent condition. 
 
Movement: 
Inside is the Landeron Calibre 39. It is a manual wind column wheel chronograph movement, with a jewel count of 17. It displays the hours, minutes, small seconds, 45-minute counter and central 60 second hand. It has been recently serviced and is keeping good time, with the chronograph functioning smoothly. It’s keeping time to within +/- 15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 0.5m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 35.5mm
Case width with crown: 37.75mm
Case length: 35.4mm
Case length lug to lug: 41.5mm
Case Depth: 11.25mm
Lug width: 20mm