Here we have a stylish 1940s unbranded chronograph watch, which has the oversized 37mm case and a beautiful gilt dial with the rose gold tone signing. It has both the Tachymeter and Telemetre scale, giving it added functionality. The case is an impressive size and is circular with the fished bezel and tapered lug design. It has the chrome plated front with the steel back. To the right are the rectangular pushers and the neat original crown. The dial has the satin black base tone with the rose gold gilt signing. To the exterior is the Tachymetre scale, with the inner Telemetre scale. There is the detailed minute/seconds track with 1/5th second graduations. The hour markers are beautifully formed in the Art Deco style. There are two sub-dials for the constant seconds and the 30-minute counter. The hands are the gold tone and are of plume style, with the neat central second hand. The case back snaps on and is marked as Steel. The movement is the Landeron calibre 48, which is a manually wound cam-switching chronograph. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of 15 seconds per day.
A watch doesn’t necessarily need a name for you to fall in love with it. We were drawn to this watch due to the gilt dial with the rose gold signing and stylised Art Deco numerals. The case is also impactful with its oversized proportion of 37mm, providing a strong presence. As well as its looks, it also has functionality with the Tachmetre and Telemetre scale.
The dial is a satin black base tone with the rose gold tone gilt signing. To the exterior is the Tachymetre scale with the Telemetre just inside of this. It has the detailed minute track with 1/5th second graduations. The hour markers are a wonderful art deco font, with the curved top 4 and swooping 7 particular highlights. There are the two inset sub-dials with the sub-seconds at 9 o’clock and the 30 minute counter at 3 o’clock. Both have the grained concentric circles which radiate in the light. The sub-seconds have the gold tone hand with the lollipop counterbalance, whilst the 30 minute counter hand has the long triangular tip. The hour and minute hands are the bright gold tone, in the Plume style. The central second is neat with the thin taper and tear drop counterbalance.
The case is oversized for the period with a large case diameter of 37mm, increasing to just under 39mm with crown. It has an impressive lug to lug length of 45.5mm which further enhances the presence.
The front is chrome plated, with the snap-on stainless-steel back. It is a circular case with the polished finish. It has a dished bezel surrounding the dial, with the cut out sections intersecting the tapered lugs. To the right-hand side are the rectangular pushers with the neat coin edge crown in-between. The rear of the case has the lightly brushed finish and is marked ‘Fond Acier Inoxydable’ meaning Stainless steel back.
Inside the watch is powered by the Landeron 48 movement. It is a 17-jewel manual wind cam switching chronograph. The top button starts the chronograph, with the bottom stopping and re-setting. The movement has been recently serviced by our watchmaker and is keeping accurate time to within 15 seconds variation per day.
We have paired the watch with a period stainless steel Bonklip bracelet which compliments the design of the watch. The Bonklip bracelet was originally designed for use by pilots and is uniquely adjustable, allowing it to fit any wrist size.
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 vintage condition. It has some light ageing, but is a good even tone, with clear signing.
Hands:
The hands are all original and are in strong condition with the gold tone. They have some light corrosion spots associated with age.
Glass:
The accyrlic crystal is new and is in perfect condition.
Crown and pusher:
The crown is original and is in strong condition with some light wear to the plating. The pushers are original and are in good condition, functioning well.
Case:
The front of the case is chrome plated. The chrome is in very good condition for the age with no pitting. There is some light wear to the inside of the lugs, associated with strap changes. It has a bright polished finish.
Caseback:
The snap-on Steel case back is in good condition. It is free of engraving and has light surface scratching.
Bracelet:
A period Bonklip bracelet which is formed of steel. It is in good vintage condition and will fit any wrist size.
Movement:
Inside is the Landeron calibre 48 which is a manual wind chronograph with 17 jewels. It displays the hours, minutes, small seconds, 30-minute counter and central 60 second hand.
The watch has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of -15 seconds per day, with a strong amplitude of 300 degrees. The chronograph functions well.
Case dimensions
Case width: 37mm
Case width with crown: 38.8mm
Case length: 37mm
Case length lug to lug: 45.5mm
Case depth: 11.7mm
Lug width: 17mm