Vintage 1940s Pierce Patent Chronograph Swiss Manual Wind 17 Jewels 35mm Watch

About this watch

A 1940s Swiss chronograph attributed to Pierce. The cream dial is dominated by a bold seconds track numbered 5 to 60 in large black serif numerals, with a fine railway minute scale, dark sword hands and a small red minute-counter register near 12 o'clock. Two pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock operate the chronograph.

The 35mm chrome-plated case has a stainless steel snap caseback stamped Stainless Steel Back, Breveté S.G.D.G., Patented, Fond Acier Inoxydable and Fabr. Suisse, with case number. The attribution rests on the patented movement architecture and the caseback markings; the dial is unsigned and the movement is not signed with the Pierce name. It is fitted with a later black woven fabric strap.

Brand heritage

Pierce was founded in 1883 in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, by Léon Lévy and his brothers. When the company refused to join the Ebauches SA consortium in the 1920s it had to design its own movements, and it went on to create more than 30 calibres of its own, two of them chronographs.

In the mid-1930s Léon Lévy designed the calibre 130 family as an affordable chronograph built around a central wheel, with a then-novel vertical friction clutch that was patented in 1935. The Pierce chronograph reached the market in 1936 and was produced through the 1940s.

Why this one is special

• Early patented vertical-clutch chronograph architecture
• Large, highly legible 1940s chronograph dial
• Unusual minute-counter position near the top of the dial
• Swiss manual-wind, 17 jewels

Specifications

• Maker: attributed to Pierce (dial unsigned)
• Era: 1940s
• Movement: Swiss manual-wind chronograph, 17 jewels, marked Made in Switzerland and Patent
• Functions: hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, minute counter
• Case: chrome plated with stainless steel snap caseback, 35mm
• Strap: black woven fabric, 18mm (not original)

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition consistent with age. The chrome plating on the bezel and case shows significant wear and pitting, with base metal visible. The dial is clean with light age toning. The movement shows age-related surface oxidation. No service history is available, and the watch is sold as is; timekeeping and chronograph function are not guaranteed. As with any vintage watch, it is not guaranteed water resistant. Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description.

What's included

The watch on a black woven fabric strap. No papers.

Shipping & Returns

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