This very rare silver wristwatch may be one of the earliest ever available with calendar wheel and shock protection. Very interesting for the horologist!
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the Glasgow import hallmark for sterling silver (0.925 pure) on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being assayed in 1931/32. As the case was imported from Switzerland we are assuming the movement was already fitted.
CONDITION
This has proved both interesting and challenging to research! The earliest mention of any watch with calendar window is for a 1932 Bulova, and we are trying to find out more about that watch to do some comparisons.
As we can not identify the movement nor the manufacturer we need to dig deeper. The case back, as well as having the assay marks, has the importer mark A5M, which leads us to Veron Grauer, a Swiss watch and jewellery export specialist founded in 1867 and still in business today. The presentation case the watch arrived in is marked for FE Clapson, and Frederick Clapson of Bexley Heath is registered on the historic watch and clock makers website. But there is also the possibility that the presentation case is later.
Moving onto the watch itself the movement not only features this very early calendar window (the Rolex datejust claims to be the first automatic watch with calendar window, but this wasn’t launched until 1945. Movado had the calandgraf watch that showed day and month through apertures but the date was on a hand pointer from 1938). But this silver wristwatch also features very early shock protection from Grenier, and we have found a copy of the original advert for this design patented in 1929. Incabloc didn’t arrive until 1934, so this really is pioneering work. The dial does have some patina, hardly unusual for a 85+ year old watch. The Breguet hands are nicely blued, and the painted numerals are largely complete. The case is hinged to allow access to the movement, and clips together nicely. The sides are scroll engraved. The bracelet isn’t stamped with any identifying marks or hallmarks, and is probably a later addition. The watch is keeping reasonable time but if it is to be worn regularly we would recommend getting this serviced by a watch maker accustomed to working on older watches.
This watch will be supplied with the FE Clapson presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail.
SIZE
Width with crown 27.5 mm
Width without crown 25.9 mm
Between lugs 16 mm
Lug to lug length 34.3 mm
Case Thickness 9.6 mm
Bracelet maximum length 180 mm
All sizes are approximate.
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