Mathey-Tissot, not to be confused with the firm Tissot, was founded in 1886 by Edmond Mathey-Tissot in Les Ponts-de-Martel, Switzerland, and specialized in complicated pocket watches. However, the firm soon began to manufacture high-quality chronograph movements. During the 1914 Kew Observatory competition, Mathey-Tissot entered six observatory chronometers with split seconds timing, which all achieved a “Class A ‘ rating with the note that they were “especially good”. By World War I, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers commissioned Mathey-Tissot to provide them with precision chronographs. Breguet also looked to the firm in the 1950s, when it chose them to produce and assemble the now iconic Breguet Type XX chronographs that were used by the French navy.

For over a century, Mathey-Tissot has been producing movements for some of the most prestigious brands in the industry, but vintage Mathey-Tissot timepieces rarely resurface on the market as they were produced in very small numbers. The present chronograph two a simple two-counter display is from the 1950s and is a prime example of firm’s work. Equipped with a superb signed Valjoux 23 movement, this watch seamlessly blends class and sportiness. Its 35mm pink gold case exudes a subtle elegance, making it the perfect dress watch with a sporty aesthetic. Meanwhile, the beautiful patinated dial is simple enough to be worn under a crisp white shirt, but still manages to catch the eye with its understated charm. To top it all off, the cream canvas is topped with charming applied Arabic numerals and dagger-shaped hour markers and the blued steel chronograph hands add just the right amount of contrast to make this watch a true standout piece.

The present example is a well preserved collectible that bears an eagle’s head hallmark on the caseback and the caseband, indicating that this Swiss made watch was originally made for the French market. This is further elucidated by the "Fab. Suisse" (short for “Fabriqué en Suisse”) found at the 6 o’clock of the dial, charismatically featured on some vintage watches from the 1930s to 60s, which dates back to an import requirement in a French law enacted in 1892 for the sake of consumer protection.