SOLD
[Watch to be auctioned off by Sotheby’s in Geneva, May 2020]
Rare Tissot Chronograph Lemania Cal 15 CHT
Description:
An exceptionally special and rare wristwatch, a Tissot Chronograph from the 30’s housing a stunning Lemania 15 CHT movement. Two things make this watch so special and rare. Measuring in at 38mm on the dot in diameter, it was oversized for the watches back then and making it the perfect size for modern day collectors. The second reason is the movement, not only is it a chronograph with a pusher at 2 o’clock and a reset pusher built into the crown, but it is what we believe to be one of the earliest of its kind. Let us explain, when a chronograph is activated and stopped, a lever, called a blocking lever, presses against the seconds chronograph wheel to prevent the seconds hand from moving, keeping firmly in place. This watch however doesn’t have one. No it’s not missing, its not broken off, the watch was manufactured without one. There is supposed to be a threaded screw hole on the barrel bridge but this one doesn’t have one. Not only does this make the watch unique but exceptionally rare as very few numbers of these movements were ever produced. To add to all of this, the watch is in the exact same case style as the Omega CK 988 with the flat, cylindrical bezel. The case is gold plated 20 microns thick any it must have been a safe queen as there is almost no wearing of the gold, just scratches and scuffs which is astonishing for such an old watch. The watch has a deep red Hirsch lizard strap which is quite fitting. The watch has an enamel dial making all the writing and numbers on the dial as crisp as the day the watch left the factory. We have applied for an extract from the archives from Tissot which will accompany the watch. Any watch collector would appreciate the significance of this piece and would no doubt fit into any collection.
Dial:
The dial is baked white enamel with a small hairline fracture at 10 o’clock, fortunately not running very far. The hour markers are printed bold black Arabic numerals. All the hands have been flame blued. The running seconds are a subdial at the 9 o’clock position and a chronograph minute recording sub dial at the 3 o’clock position. There is a red snail tachymeter graph encasing the Tissot name. Around the outer circumference of the dial is a red printed telemetre. There is a minute track around the circumference of the dial.
Details:
Diameter: 38mm
Thickness: 12.3mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Case Material: Gold Plated
Strap Material: Leather
Out of stock
