This is an exciting find – an early bumper automatic watch with shock protection from the Swiss company Richard
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
This movement was made between 1935 and 1945, so we have picked the half way point. The Incabloc shock protect system was only patented in 1934, and the auto movement is still based on the design of Harwood, inventors of the first automatic watch.
CONDITION
When we describe this as an exciting find, please let us qualify that. The Incabloc shock protect system was only patented in 1934, and the auto movement is still based on the design of Harwood, inventors of the first automatic watch. Added to this this watch has a screw down case back to aid water resistance, and the original dust and antimagnetic cover still in place, and it is likely to be produced during the second World War.
There are some perculiarities too. The dial is marked 17 jewels, but the movement is an eighteen jewel movement related to the AS 1172. The dial has small lume plots on the hour, but the hands have no infill. The case is not marked with the metal – it could be stainless steel, but chrome was more readily available during the war. It is difficult to research Richard watches, as the name is too easily confused by search engines and the company has closed. We do believe they were based in Morges, on the north of lake Leman in Switzerland . It could be that this was a prototype or work in progress – the watch was acquired from a long standing and respected Swiss watchmaker. The strap is new.
This watch will be supplied with our Certificate of Authenticity.
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SIZE
Width with crown 35.7 mm
Width without crown 33.2 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 41.9 mm
Case Thickness 11.6 mm
All sizes are approximate.
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