Vintage 1970s Basis Digital Jump Hour Swiss 17 Jewels Space Age Watch Black 40mm

About this watch

Instead of hands, rotating discs display the hours and minutes in small windows: a jumping hour on the left and a rotating minute disc on the right, both flagged by red pointers, across a black brushed dial marked "Basis", "Swiss", "17 Jewels" and "Digital". It is a futuristic look achieved entirely with traditional Swiss mechanics.

The sculpted, highly polished stainless steel case measures about 40mm and 14mm thick, with a screw-down caseback stamped "All Stainless Steel", "Shockproof" and "Automatic". The seller lists the 17-jewel Swiss movement as manual wind. It is fitted on a black leather strap.

Brand heritage

Basis was one of the Swiss economic-watch brands that joined Buler, Agon and Continental in 1967 to found Economic Swiss Time Holding, a group of Roskopf watch makers headquartered in Basel and directed by Max Thommen of Basis and Walter Rüfli of Buler. Buler itself was founded in 1945 in Lengnau and became a pioneer of digital-display watches in the 1970s.

Why this one is special

• Mechanical jump hour "digital" display
• Dramatic faceted Space Age steel case
• Swiss 17-jewel movement
• A favourite with collectors of retro design

Specifications

• Brand / Model: Basis Digital (Economic Swiss Time group with Buler)
• Era: 1970s
• Display: mechanical jump hour with rotating minute disc
• Movement: Swiss mechanical, 17 jewels (listed as manual wind)
• Case: polished stainless steel, approx. 40 mm, 14 mm thick, screw-down back
• Dial: black brushed with red pointers
• Strap: black leather, 20 mm

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with light signs of wear consistent with age. Please check all photos carefully as they are part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The watch on a black leather strap. Display box shown for presentation.

Shipping & Returns

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