Vintage 1950s Elix Besancon France Manual Wind Small Seconds 35mm Steel Watch

About this watch

A charming post-war French dress watch. The silver dial has stylised Art Deco Arabic numerals alternating with dagger batons, blued-style hands and a small-seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock, signed ELIX and Incabloc.

The 35mm round stainless-steel case has a screw-down back and slim lugs, on a tan leather strap. The movement is signed ELIX with calibre number 233, as shown in the photos.

Brand heritage

Elix was founded in 1852 and produced complete watches in Besançon, the historic capital of French watchmaking near the Swiss border, making it one of the oldest names in the Franche-Comté. In 1927 the firm was acquired by Ernest and Paul Mougin-Piquard, who continued making Elix watches alongside the Mougin-Piquard name. The Incabloc shock-protection system signed on the dial was developed in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and introduced in 1934; it protects the delicate balance pivots if the watch is knocked or dropped.

Why this one is special

• Old French maker from Besançon, founded 1852
• Signed ELIX calibre 233 movement
• Art Deco numerals with small seconds
• Classic 35mm steel case

Specifications

• Brand: Elix, Besançon, France
• Era: 1950s
• Movement: manual wind, signed ELIX cal. 233, Incabloc
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 6
• Case: stainless steel, approx. 35mm, approx. 12mm thick, screw-down caseback
• Dial: silver with Art Deco Arabic numerals
• Strap: tan leather, 18mm

Condition

Good vintage condition with light signs of wear consistent with age. As with any vintage watch, it is sold as a collectible, is not guaranteed water resistant, and its timekeeping may differ from a modern watch. Please check all photos carefully as they are part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The watch only. Display box shown for presentation.

Shipping & Returns

Ships from Cairo, Egypt. Please see the shipping and returns details in this listing.