I thought this might be of interest as we don't see too many this early and it has some interesting features. The dial design is similar to those used for UG watches retailed by Hermes during this period. Serial dates it to 1936 I believe. The salmon dial has survived remarkably intact including the minute track. Stern Freres dial. Cal 249 movement with an interesting "M" stamp. My understanding is that this was used to denote a steel case (or at least one not made of gold) in the French market i.e. M for "Métal". Is anyone able to confirm this? It's also interesting to note the "3" and "8" numbers stamped on the back of the case between the lugs. On some of these early watches we see the last three numbers of the serial number but that is not the case here as there are only two numbers. Could it simply be a date stamp denoting 1938, perhaps when it was sold? I made a half-hearted attempt to sell it yesterday but I'm growing more fond of it by the hour.
That is lovely. If it was the one on Ebay from about 4-5 months ago I think I had a nibble at it. Wish I'd bid more strongly now.
Very cool. @DirtyDozen12 has a beautiful black Longines with a similar dial design, and I’ve seen another one too (below), on which I now wish I had bid. I think we have to conclude watch manufactures of the time, except in rare exceptions, were quite conservative and replicated known dial designs without much innovation. That would make sense as watches were very expensive and supposed to last a life time and not be fashion accessories.
Beautiful watch! What is the case size ? I wonder what the single digit 9 is for on the case back, below the four digit reference
It's 32mm. My slender wrist just makes it look oversized. I had assumed it was a sort of sub-reference, so it was effectively a 5631/9 - just a guess though.
it's a real looker. Interesting that such a simple design, classic, is rarely captured successfully today.
I did not know about this example! Interesting that mine is sort of a combination of the UG (same sub-dial) and this one (no outer track).
I wouldn't usually divulge such secrets but since I am going to keep it, it cost me 440 Euro. As a buy now, regret later, sort of person, I was ready to go a lot higher and was over the moon at the price. To be fair, one of the hands was not attached, it needed a service and I've added the ladder bracelet. I should add that not all my gambles work out so well . . .
But was it salmon? I'm forever running out of money as photography for the Polerouter book is expensive, so I would let this one go if anyone is interested.
