1950s Marvin 18ct rose gold fancy bull horn lug dress watch
This is a very well designed wristwatch from the 1950s, with an 18ct gold case and interesting lugs. The rose gold tone of the case is reflected in the rose gold tone foil hour markers and Arabic numerals. Inside is a good quality, reliable, manual wind Marvin movement.
This is an excellent alternative to the Rolex Precision dress watch model of the 40s and 50s, with the same case and bull horned lugs.
The case is well proportioned, measuring 35mm x 34.5mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 42mm. The design of the lugs gives this watch an excellent wrist presence.
The case is formed of 18ct gold and has a polished finish. The main section of the case is circular and is in good condition, with light surface scratching. The lugs are the main talking point of this watch. They are fancy lugs of a horned style and are attached to the main section of the case. They have a slightly twisted curvature and appear to hold the central section of the case in place. They are beautifully designed and are in good condition, with a polished finish.
The case back is in good condition. It is formed of 18ct gold and has a polished finish. The inside of the case back has peerlage finishing and is signed “Marvin Watch Co, Swiss”. It is marked with the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold. The serial number is 253751.
The dial has a silvered base tone which is original and is in good general condition. There is a section at the top of the dial between 11:30 and 1 O’clock where the lacquer has peeled at the extremity of the dial. This is visible in the images.
The dial has a minute track in black around the exterior of the dial. The hour plots are a rose gold tone and with Arabic script 9,12,3,6. This creates a neat and balanced dial. The sub-second dial is sunken into the dial and has a circular grained finish. There are thin black markers for the 5 second increments. The dial is signed Marvin with the star logo below 12 O’clock.
The hands are original and of the Lance Alpha style. They are gold tone and shine brightly in the light. The minute hand has been bent slightly towards the end. The sub-second hand is original and in good condition.
The crown appears to be original and matches the tone of the case. It has surface scratching.
The watch is on a good quality replacement leather strap from Darlena and is crocodile grain. It is in very good condition with a gold-plated buckle.
The movement is the highest grade of the Marvin calibre 520. It has 17 jewels and is marked as adjusted to 3 positions. The ratchet wheel is signed Marvin with star logo.
The movement is in excellent condition and is working perfectly, keeping time to +20 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 1.9 m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial has a silvered base tone which is original and is in good general condition. There is a section at the top of the dial between 11:30 and 1 O’clock where the lacquer has peeled at the extremity of the dial. This is visible in the images.
The dial has a minute track in black around the exterior of the dial. The hour plots are a rose gold tone and with Arabic script 9,12,3,6. This creates a neat and balanced dial. The sub-second dial is sunken into the dial and has a circular grained finish. There are thin black markers for the 5 second increments. The dial is signed Marvin with the star logo below 12 O’clock.
Hands:
The hands are original and of the Lance Alpha style. They are gold tone and shine brightly in the light. The minute hand has been bent slightly towards the end. The sub-second hand is original and in good condition.
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement which is in good condition, fitting the profile of the watch well. It has no obvious markings.
Crown:
The crown appears to be original and matches the tone of the case. It has surface scratching.
Case:
The case is formed of 18ct gold and has a polished finish. The main section of the case is circular and is in good condition, with light surface scratching. The lugs are the main talking point of this watch. They are fancy lugs of a horned style and are attached to the main section of the case. They have a slightly twisted curvature and appear to hold the central section of the case in place. They are beautifully designed and are in good condition, with a polished finish.
Caseback:
The case back is in good condition. It is formed of 18ct gold and has a polished finish. It has light surface scratching associated with age.
The inside of the case back has peerlage finishing and is signed “Marvin Watch Co, Swiss”. It is marked with the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold. The serial number is 253751.
Strap:
The watch is on a good quality replacement leather strap from Darlena and is crocodile grain. It is in very good condition with a gold-plated buckle.
Movement:
The movement is the highest grade of the Marvin calibre 520. It has 17 jewels and is marked as adjusted to 3 positions. The ratchet wheel is signed Marvin with star logo.
The movement is in excellent condition and is working perfectly, keeping time to +20 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 1.9 m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 35mm
Case width with crown: 35.5mm
Case length: 34.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 42mm
Case Depth: 9mm
Lug width: 18mm