Vintage 30s Pierce Mono Pusher Chronograph Snail Telemeter Dial 17J 35mm Watch

About this watch

An early Swiss single-button chronograph with the classic multi-scale dial of the period: an outer telemeter scale, a spiral "snail" tachymeter at the centre, Arabic numerals and blued hands. The signed Pierce dial has heavy, honest patina in warm copper and salmon tones.

The approx. 35mm case (excluding crown) combines a nickel bezel (originally chrome plated), a chrome-plated mid case and a stainless-steel back stamped "Breveté SGDG", a French patent marking. Inside is Pierce's own hand-wound 17-jewel chronograph movement.

Brand heritage

Pierce grew out of the firm Léon Lévy & Frères, founded in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, in 1883. In the 1930s it was one of the few companies to design and build its own chronograph movement instead of buying one in. Pierce's in-house calibre, introduced in the mid-1930s, is known for its unconventional construction, using a vertical friction clutch rather than the usual horizontal coupling, with a single pusher for start, stop and reset. That is why Pierce chronographs have a dedicated following among collectors of early wrist chronographs.

Why this one is special

• Manufacture Pierce chronograph calibre with unusual vertical-clutch design
• Single-button (mono-pusher) operation, typical of early wrist chronographs
• Snail tachymeter and telemeter dial, among the most sought-after 1930s dial layouts
• Telemeter scale once used to measure distance by the delay between seeing and hearing an event, such as artillery fire

Specifications

• Brand: Pierce
• Type: mono-pusher chronograph
• Era: 1930s
• Movement: Pierce in-house hand-wound chronograph, 17 jewels
• Functions: time, single-button chronograph, telemeter and tachymeter scales
• Dial: original signed dial with snail tachymeter, heavy patina
• Case: approx. 35 mm excluding crown; nickel bezel (originally chrome plated), chrome-plated mid case, stainless-steel back
• Strap: brown leather
• Made in Switzerland

Condition

Sold as is. The chronograph function has not been tested and the service history is unknown. The dial is original with heavy patina. The case shows wear, oxidation and plating loss, and the movement shows visible oxidation, as pictured. The crystal has light marks. Suitable for collectors or as a restoration project.

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 study all photos carefully; they show the actual watch you will receive and form part of the description.

What's included

The watch on its leather strap, with the zip travel pouch shown. No box or papers.

Shipping & Returns

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