Tavannes - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN Hong Kong Monday, November 26, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Tavannes
    Year: Circa 1945
    Case No: 355’137
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle
    Dimensions: 34 mm diameter
    Signed: Dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Founded in 1891, defunct by 1966, and resurrected in 2008, Tavannes Watch Co. (usually called Tavannes) was a Swiss watch company that has stood the test of time in style and poise in the horological world.

    During WWI, the Tavannes Watch Co was approached by two British submarine commanders to construct a watch for wearing on submarine decks awash in water. As a result, a first-ever water-tight, non-magnetic, water-proof wrist watched was born in 1917. Tavannes introduced small calibers and is an early producer of wristwatch-specific movements in the 1910s. It also supplied many major manufacturers like
    Jaeger-LeCoultre, Dunhill, Hermes, and Cartier. Tavannes' movement manufacturer was called Lisica SA, and many watches use this name instead.

    One unique innovation from Tavannes includes a belt buckle watch for the English King Edward VIII. This resulted in the creation of other "captive" watches for belt or desk, and legend has it has inspired the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso which used a Tavannes movement. Hermes and Cartier marketed the belt buckle watch as "La Captive".

    This fine looking and elegant vintage steel chronograph hailed from the 1940s and its beauty is preserved in good condition till this very day.

THIS LOT IS TO BE SOLD WITH NO RESERVE

991

Lot offered with No Reserve

An attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with telemeter scale and snail-shaped tachometer scale

Circa 1945
34 mm diameter
Dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$23,000 - 39,000 
€2,500-4,300
$2,900-5,000

Sold for HK$17,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN

Hong Kong Auction 27 November 2018