For sale we have a pre-production pro-type of the Dunhill A-Centric, which was released in 2006. The example is a reference 8055 which displays the hours, minutes, central seconds and has a red date pointing hand. It has an impressive 40mm case in Stainless Steel, with a double notched bezel and tapered lug design. It has a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. The white dial is clean and elegant. It is neatly laid out with Arabic numerals to the centre, within the minute/seconds railroad track around the exterior. The date then circles around this in a sector, creating a very balanced dial.
Between the lugs it is signed with the reference 8055, with the prototype serial number 000/750. The date pointer advance pusher is located at 4 O’clock. The case back is a screw-on with polished outer section and octagonal centre piece. It has beautiful circular brushing with sunburst finish. 
Inside the case is unsigned, with the prototype movement signed only Dubois Depraz. It is an ETA 2892 A2 base movement, with the Dubois Depraz module for the date pointing function.
 
This watch is a modern and fresh interpretation of the date pointing watches of the 1950s, combined with a clear and modern design. 
 
A rare opportunity to purchase a pre series protype. It dates to 6 months prior to the release, with approximately 20-30 pieces existing. The full production run was limited to 1500. A limited, limited watch!
 
It is watch only, with non-original strap and no box or paperwork. Bold Timepieces have personal confirmation from Tom Bolt that this is a prototype.
 
Dunhills revival:
 
The A-Centric was part of the collections Tom Bolt spearheaded as Dunhills lead designer in the mid 2000’s. 
 
In the early 2000s and prior, Dunhill had been somewhat adrift, with hit or miss watch design, not quite fitting to the brands DNA, nor Dunhills customer base. CEO Simon Critchell decided to bring in Vintage watch expert Tom Bolt to inject fresh impetus in the mid 2000s.
 
The subsequent collections represented a fresh take. The archives contained a wealth of examples, which showed the innovation and versatility of the timepieces they offered, including facetted designs and car dash clocks. This led to a twist on traditional, British design with motor racing as an inspiration. 
 
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 in excellent condition. It has no ageing.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original with no ageing or signs of wear.
 
Glass: 
The sapphire crystal is original and has no marking. It has anti-reflective coating.
 
Case:
The Stainless case is in decent original condition. It has light surface scratching associated with wear. It hasn’t been refinished. It has one more noticeable area of scuffing on the bezel above 12 O’clock.
 
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and is a screwback. It has a circular brushing with sun-burst finish. It has light surface scratching associated with age.
 
Strap: 
The watch is on a replacement 20mm leather strap.
 
Movement: 
The movement is an ETA 2892 A2 base calibre, with a Dubois Depraz manufactured module. It is an automatic movement with a jewel count of 21 and a hi-beat rate of 28,800. It has a date pointing function.
 
The movement is in good condition and has been serviced. It has a daily variation of -15 seconds a day with an amplitude of 320 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 40mm
Case width with crown: 42.5mm 
Case length: 40mm 
Case length lug to lug: 48.5mm
Case Depth: 12.5mm
Lug width: 22mm