Here we have a sweet mid-size 1950s Fears Bristol watch. It is a classic circular case with the dished bezel and tapered lug design. It is a mid-size watch, measuring 28.5mm wide without the crown. It is a chrome plated front with the stainless-steel case back. The dial is the silver satin tone with the detailed railroad minute track and luminous arabic numerals. It is signed with the Fears name below 12 o’clock and at 6 is the neat, inset sub-second dial with the sectored design. The hands are of the classic Pipette styling and are thermally blued, with the original luminous in-fill. The movement is a 15 jewel Swiss lever AS calibre, which is manually wound. 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 is a silver satin tone, which has the lightly brushed finish. To the exterior of the dial is the railroad 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 open 9 and flat top 4 catching the eye. Below 12 o’clock is the classic ‘Fears’ name. At 6 o’clock is the inset sub-second dial which has the grained concentric circles that catch the eye. It has the sectored layout, which is a neat design touch.
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 neat, with the lollipop counterbalance and is also the thermally blued tone.
 
It has a compact mid-sized case, measuring 28.5mm x 28.5mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 34mm. Originally unisex, it would now be a well sized and legible ladies watch, considering modern tastes.
The main body of the case is circular with the dished bezel surrounding the dial. The lugs are a neat design with the curving flow and neat taper. It has the fixed bar lugs which means it needs a specific glue on or fold over metal tab strap. To the right-hand side, the crown is neat with the coin edge. 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 15 jewel AS calibre. It is a manual wind movement, which 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 high quality Darlena, vintage style leather strap, with is glued on.
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 lightly aged silver tone. 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 strong condition. It has some marking from poor opening attempts.
 
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. It is a manual wind movement with a jewel count of 15.
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: 28.5mm
Case width with crown: 30.3mm
Case length: 28.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 34mm
Case Depth: 9mm
Lug width: 15mm