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Flatfoot
·Offered for sale is this Berthoud Geneve cal. 385 chronograph with a lovely sector dial and blued handset.
Sector Dial and handset This patinated ivory colored dial and blued handset “had me at first sight” - with its tasty coloration and originality. It is a very attractive watch to my eye. The Tachymetre and Telemetre scales appear neat and clean. A few scuffs on the dial are evident, but it carries an honesty that I have found to be very appealing.
This dial and handset are very similar to the 1935 Universal Geneve Compur seen in Mr. Sala’s book, page 140. The dial, handset and overall configuration of this BG carry the same design elements as that 1935 UG. I concluded that this dial as being an original BG, and made in the mid 1930’s, likely around the same time as that 1935 UG seen in Mr. Sala’s book.
Cal. 385 The cal 385 movement is in good condition and keeps good time. I have not serviced it while in my 3 year possession and I have no known prior service history. Start and stop functions are working well. The reset works, however periodically the minute sub-register counter does not return to zero, but instead to +1 minute. A service would be suggested before anything other than periodic wearing. No movement number is visible, which I noted to be consistent with other BG watches of this mid 1930’s era. I had noted that BG began placing numbers on the movement beginning in the late 1930’s.
Case and Caseback The 35mm case (less crown and pushers) shows very nicely overall. The oval shaped pushers are neat and clean, and function properly. Fixed lug bars are seen, and evidence of rework on the underside of the lugs is evident. I presume the case was fitted with fixed bars, then subsequently replated. The Fond Acier caseback is not marked as a BG, but rather shows a UG logo. That particular caseback logo dates to approximately 1935, which is consistent with my belief of the age of the dial, handset, early un-numbered BG movement and the remainder of the watch as well. The crown appears to be a replacement, but period appropriate.
Closeup of the fixed bars and lug undersides.
Crystal is clear, with only minor scuffs evident.
Strap is a used British Tan leather Zulu, the color of which compliments the dial very well in my opinion.
This watch is offered at $2000 USD, with insured shipping within the USA at my cost. Shipment to Ex-USA locations can be discussed.
Payment method preferred is Paypal F&F, with other methods as mutually agreed to
This watch is going on the block in order to clear some space and raise some cash for some new vintage purchases I am considering. I’ve worn it in rotation since its purchase in 2017. Its now time to move it on to another.
Feedback from transactions here at OF:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-is-top-seller.106766/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/great-transaction-with-seller-flatfoot.106642/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-is-an-excellent-trading-partner.100676/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-pleasure-to-sell-to.90257/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-great-buyer.114753/
Thanks to OF for the space!
Sector Dial and handset This patinated ivory colored dial and blued handset “had me at first sight” - with its tasty coloration and originality. It is a very attractive watch to my eye. The Tachymetre and Telemetre scales appear neat and clean. A few scuffs on the dial are evident, but it carries an honesty that I have found to be very appealing.
This dial and handset are very similar to the 1935 Universal Geneve Compur seen in Mr. Sala’s book, page 140. The dial, handset and overall configuration of this BG carry the same design elements as that 1935 UG. I concluded that this dial as being an original BG, and made in the mid 1930’s, likely around the same time as that 1935 UG seen in Mr. Sala’s book.
Cal. 385 The cal 385 movement is in good condition and keeps good time. I have not serviced it while in my 3 year possession and I have no known prior service history. Start and stop functions are working well. The reset works, however periodically the minute sub-register counter does not return to zero, but instead to +1 minute. A service would be suggested before anything other than periodic wearing. No movement number is visible, which I noted to be consistent with other BG watches of this mid 1930’s era. I had noted that BG began placing numbers on the movement beginning in the late 1930’s.
Case and Caseback The 35mm case (less crown and pushers) shows very nicely overall. The oval shaped pushers are neat and clean, and function properly. Fixed lug bars are seen, and evidence of rework on the underside of the lugs is evident. I presume the case was fitted with fixed bars, then subsequently replated. The Fond Acier caseback is not marked as a BG, but rather shows a UG logo. That particular caseback logo dates to approximately 1935, which is consistent with my belief of the age of the dial, handset, early un-numbered BG movement and the remainder of the watch as well. The crown appears to be a replacement, but period appropriate.
Closeup of the fixed bars and lug undersides.
Crystal is clear, with only minor scuffs evident.
Strap is a used British Tan leather Zulu, the color of which compliments the dial very well in my opinion.
This watch is offered at $2000 USD, with insured shipping within the USA at my cost. Shipment to Ex-USA locations can be discussed.
Payment method preferred is Paypal F&F, with other methods as mutually agreed to
This watch is going on the block in order to clear some space and raise some cash for some new vintage purchases I am considering. I’ve worn it in rotation since its purchase in 2017. Its now time to move it on to another.
Feedback from transactions here at OF:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-is-top-seller.106766/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/great-transaction-with-seller-flatfoot.106642/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-is-an-excellent-trading-partner.100676/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-pleasure-to-sell-to.90257/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/flatfoot-great-buyer.114753/
Thanks to OF for the space!
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