Community Stories

Vintage Tissot - help identifying

Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
Hy guys,

I need your support trying to identify this gold case vintage Tissot chronograph.
It belongs to an uncle of mine who has been working as watchmaker for Demarchi here in Italy, when this Company was the distributor for Omega, Tissot and others here in my country.
I’m sure it’s original and “untouched” , but I would love to know something more as I asked my uncle to sell me.
I’d like to pay a right amount , fair for both me and him.

Thanks in advance

Antonio
IMG_0930.webp
 
Vitezi
Posts
3,157
Likes
13,683
Hello @Perry1980 and welcome to the forum! Just judging from the dial alone, it would appear you have a chronograph dating to the mid-to-late 1950s (no later than 1959).

To better give you the answers you are looking for, we would need to see pictures of the entire outside of the watch (top, bottom, both sides), the inside movement, and the information on the inside of the caseback. Your uncle may be able to remove the caseback for you. Please take some well-lit, sharply focused pictures and post them here.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-posting-guide.383/ dsio
Thread 'Vintage Omega Posting Guide' ·
When you have a vintage Omega that you would like to get some information about, whether you've found something you like on eBay or for sale locally, have had it for 50 years, or recently...
dsio ·
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
Sorry for the long delay of my response!
Here are some new pics of this Tissot.
Thank for your comments !

Antonio
IMG_6310.webp IMG_6305.webp IMG_6306.webp IMG_6308.webp IMG_6309.webp IMG_6312.webp IMG_6311.webp
 
Vitezi
Posts
3,157
Likes
13,683
Based on the information from the inside of the caseback, your watch would have left the Tissot factory as a reference 6212-8. The 6212 was a family of two-register snapback chronographs produced between 1941 and 1948. The 6212-8 was manufactured near the end of that production run.

The 6212 chronographs were all based on the Lemania CH27 column-wheel movement. At some point in your watch's past life, the movement in your watch was replaced with a later movement, the cam-based Lemania 1277. The hands may have been changed at the same time, as Tissot preferred to use "plume" hands with that dial. Your watch would have left the factory looking more like this example:

1733536660487.webp


As you may know vintage watch collectors like those on this forum prize originality above all else. Although the 1277 is functionally the same as the CH27, it was not original to that watch and that reduces its desirability to collectors.

As a family heirloom however, your watch has a value far beyond collectability. The modifications made to that watch by your family are part of its history now, to be best appreciated by you.
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
Thanks a lot for your comment !
Anyway , please , allow me a little room for doubt.
Since the watch has been in my uncle's hands, for about 50 years, that watch has never been touched.
Is the hypothesis of a previous substitution probable?
And for what purpose?
Usually movement and hands are changed in case of rather serious damage. But, in that case, the case and dial would also have been compromised.

However, I leave it to the judgment of those who know decidedly more than me
 
Pvt-Public
Posts
2,496
Likes
3,513
Sorry to say this , but, something sounds fishy.
1. “Uncles watch” We see a lot of them here.
2. “It belongs to an uncle of mine who has been working as watchmaker for Demarchi here in Italy, when this Company was the distributor for Omega, Tissot and others here in my country.”
3.”I’m sure it’s original and “untouched”, but apparently has had the movement replace at some point in the past.
4. “I would love to know something more as I asked my uncle to sell me.” and you can’t ask you uncle about the watch. See point number 2.
Or maybe it’s just too little coffee and too much skepticism. If I’m being harsh, I’m sorry, it’s not even 0600hrs. and already a rough day.
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
Pvt-Public Pvt-Public
Sorry to say this , but, something sounds fishy.
1. “Uncles watch” We see a lot of them here.
2. “It belongs to an uncle of mine who has been working as watchmaker for Demarchi here in Italy, when this Company was the distributor for Omega, Tissot and others here in my country.”
3.”I’m sure it’s original and “untouched”, but apparently has had the movement replace at some point in the past.
4. “I would love to know something more as I asked my uncle to sell me.” and you can’t ask you uncle about the watch. See point number 2.
Or maybe it’s just too little coffee and too much skepticism. If I’m being harsh, I’m sorry, it’s not even 0600hrs. and already a rough day.
Sorry to say but, yes, your words are harsh and a little out of place.
Fishy?
I don't want to sell anything to anyone.
I was asking to someone more prepared than me what was the right amount to pay to get that watch.
There's no reason to be suspicious/skeptic about my position here in this thread.

On the base of @Vitezi kind reply , I asked my uncle again if he or someone working with him in Demarchi had touched or replaced original parts on this watch. The watch reached their company in this configuration on nobody, among the watchmakers working there, replaced parts on it.
So , as per my comments after Vitezi's , I'm still convinced that this watch is untouched!

Moreover , I asked on another forum comments and evaluations on this watch.
One of the forum users , who has a quite long seniority , is replying that the movement is a Lemania 1281, named 871 in Tissot. Concerning the hands set , he says they are original.
Which is matching with the words of my uncle about this watch.

To close , I've got 2 appraisals on it . I'm satisfied . I have more clear ideas on it and I'll war this watch with grat pleasure.
@Pvt-Public ...hope your day is getting better .

Thanks everyone!
 
Dan S
Posts
20,811
Likes
47,699
Perry1980 Perry1980
Sorry to say but, yes, your words are harsh and a little out of place.
Fishy?
I don't want to sell anything to anyone.
I was asking to someone more prepared than me what was the right amount to pay to get that watch.
There's no reason to be suspicious/skeptic about my position here in this thread.

On the base of @Vitezi kind reply , I asked my uncle again if he or someone working with him in Demarchi had touched or replaced original parts on this watch. The watch reached their company in this configuration on nobody, among the watchmakers working there, replaced parts on it.
So , as per my comments after Vitezi's , I'm still convinced that this watch is untouched!

Moreover , I asked on another forum comments and evaluations on this watch.
One of the forum users , who has a quite long seniority , is replying that the movement is a Lemania 1281, named 871 in Tissot. Concerning the hands set , he says they are original.
Which is matching with the words of my uncle about this watch.

To close , I've got 2 appraisals on it . I'm satisfied . I have more clear ideas on it and I'll war this watch with grat pleasure.
@Pvt-Public ...hope your day is getting better .

Thanks everyone!
Why even ask questions if you only want answers that support your preconceptions? Clearly the "Tissot" engraving on the movement bridge is not original and I would certainly trust @Vitezi's judgement about the movement and hands. But go ahead and believe what you want to believe.

As for value, it's rather low due to the replacement parts and gold-plated case. Collectors take a clear-eyed view of these things when shelling out their money, old family stories carry no weight. But it's a pretty watch at first glance and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Edited:
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
Dan S Dan S
Why even ask questions if you only want answers that support your preconceptions? Clearly the "Tissot" engraving on the movement bridge is not original and I would certainly trust @Vitezi's judgement about the movement and hands. But go ahead and believe what you want to believe.

As for value, it's rather low due to the replacement parts and gold-plated case. Collectors take a clear-eyed view of these things when shelling out their money, old family stories carry no weight. But it's a pretty watch at first glance and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
1. Did I ever write that I don't trust @Vitezi ?
2. Pay attention ! @Vitezi never said that the movement on my uncle's watch is not original ! He said that the movement was not the one that should originally equip this reference . Which is quite different .
@Dan S . You're saing that the movement in that watch is fake !

The only thing I believe is that I'll take the watch for me and enjoy , regardless of the appraisals I got so far .
Appraisals I've kindly thanked for .

As I said , I got your comments. Thanks for the same!
I'm satisfied .
I'll wear and enjoy the watch.
Thank you.
 
Dan S
Posts
20,811
Likes
47,699
Perry1980 Perry1980
2. Pay attention ! @Vitezi never said that the movement on my uncle's watch is not original ! He said that the movement was not the one that should originally equip this reference . Which is quite different .
::facepalm1:: None so blind as those who will not see. You are twisting logic in knots to confirm your fantasy. Enjoy the watch.
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
Dan S Dan S
::facepalm1:: None so blind as those who will not see. You are twisting logic in knots to confirm your fantasy. Enjo
Listen man, I'm not twisting anything!

"...the movement in your watch was replaced with a later movement, the cam-based Lemania 1277. The hands may have been changed at the same time, as Tissot preferred to use "plume" hands with that dial..."
That's what he wrote.

"Clearly the "Tissot" engraving on the movement bridge is not original"

That's what you wrote.

I'll surely enjoy the watch!

Thank you
 
Dan S
Posts
20,811
Likes
47,699
Perry1980 Perry1980
Listen man, I'm not twisting anything!

"...the movement in your watch was replaced with a later movement, the cam-based Lemania 1277. The hands may have been changed at the same time, as Tissot preferred to use "plume" hands with that dial..."
That's what he wrote.

"Clearly the "Tissot" engraving on the movement bridge is not original"

That's what you wrote.
Perry1980 Perry1980
Pay attention ! @Vitezi never said that the movement on my uncle's watch is not original ! He said that the movement was not the one that should originally equip this reference . Which is quite different .
Please simply read what you wrote and you should realize that it makes no sense at all. @Vitezi indicated that the movement was replaced, which is the same as saying that it is not original. Yet you would still like to think that it is original to the watch, so obviously you don't believe him.

I also noted that the Tissot engraving on the bridge is not original, which is plain to see. The Tissot engraving is crude and obviously added separately from the 17 JEWELS and SWISS engravings. I don't know who added that engraving and when, just noting an observation. Look for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

You don't have to be bothered by the fact that parts are not original, but threads like these are valuable for people who are learning and serve as archives for people doing research, so we generally try to be honest and we don't sugar-coat the facts.
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
I could eventually consider that the movement and the hands could be of a later period . That's what @Vitezi wrote.

Which is the sense of my thread : ask people more prepared than me is the watch is fully coeval.

I cannot accept what YOU say : (at least) the bridge is not original!

You simply don't know Demarchi and the relevance of this Company .

My uncle worked for them and saying that they could use not original spare parts for their watches is a heresy

Bye
 
Redwes25
Posts
572
Likes
1,430
Perry1980 Perry1980
Sorry to say but, yes, your words are harsh and a little out of place.
Fishy?
I don't want to sell anything to anyone.
I was asking to someone more prepared than me what was the right amount to pay to get that watch.
There's no reason to be suspicious/skeptic about my position here in this thread.

On the base of @Vitezi kind reply , I asked my uncle again if he or someone working with him in Demarchi had touched or replaced original parts on this watch. The watch reached their company in this configuration on nobody, among the watchmakers working there, replaced parts on it.
So , as per my comments after Vitezi's , I'm still convinced that this watch is untouched!

Moreover , I asked on another forum comments and evaluations on this watch.
One of the forum users , who has a quite long seniority , is replying that the movement is a Lemania 1281, named 871 in Tissot. Concerning the hands set , he says they are original.
Which is matching with the words of my uncle about this watch.

To close , I've got 2 appraisals on it . I'm satisfied . I have more clear ideas on it and I'll war this watch with grat pleasure.
@Pvt-Public ...hope your day is getting better .

Thanks everyone!
1277 and 1281 are the same family of movements. 1281 is later version and three register so this is not a 1281 since two register.

That said I do think your reference was originally produced with the earlier column wheel Ch27.
Edited:
 
Dan S
Posts
20,811
Likes
47,699
Perry1980 Perry1980
I cannot accept what YOU say : (at least) the bridge is not original!

You simply don't know Demarchi and the relevance of this Company .

My uncle worked for them and saying that they could use not original spare parts for their watches is a heresy

Bye
Another satisfied customer.
 
hen
Posts
2,102
Likes
6,086
Maybe it is needed to ad " Be aware that people may have different opinions than you " in the posting guide. And there sould be a posting guide to all sub forums? If the guides are read at all.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-posting-guide.383/

It seems strange that so many have posted the same questions on different forum and gotten the answers they want before, why keep posting on new forum?
 
Perry1980
Posts
20
Likes
50
hen hen
Maybe it is needed to ad " Be aware that people may have different opinions than you " in the posting guide. And there sould be a posting guide to all sub forums? If the guides are read at all.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-posting-guide.383/

It seems strange that so many have posted the same questions on different forum and gotten the answers they want before, why keep posting on new forum?
Different opinions are welcome !
Having more opinions is just the spirit of asking in different "rooms" appraisals on the same watch.
Should these opinions come from one forum only ?

I posted on another forum and got a different response about the genuinity of this Tissot.
It doesn't mean that these are bad and those are good.

It looks like I should I should bow down to people who are replying to my questions with no further possibility to reply with an analitycal approach...
 
Redwes25
Posts
572
Likes
1,430
Perry1980 Perry1980
Different opinions are welcome !
Having more opinions is just the spirit of asking in different "rooms" appraisals on the same watch.
Should these opinions come from one forum only ?

I posted on another forum and got a different response about the genuinity of this Tissot.
It doesn't mean that these are bad and those are good.

It looks like I should I should bow down to people who are replying to my questions with no further possibility to reply with an analitycal approach...
I don’t know the other forum but advice is clearly wrong on movement. 1281 is three register and your watch is 2.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

apete349

Vintage Tissot Watch - Need Help Identifying

apete349 Open Discussion
Vitezi
Vitezi
Posts
5
Views
5K
Szatan123

Tissot Watch need identifying

Szatan123 Open Discussion
hen
hen
Posts
1
Views
130
Wlcutter

Vintage Tissot Seastar Navigator Panda Valjoux 7734 Chronograph

Wlcutter Private Watch Sales
Wlcutter
Wlcutter
Posts
0
Views
3K
Kapka

Two gorgeous Vintage Tissot gems ! Both serviced!

Kapka Private Watch Sales
Kapka
Kapka
Posts
2
Views
5K
JimJupiter

1940s Vintage Tissot Ref. 66178 Jumbo, Cal 27.2, 37.5mm

JimJupiter Private Watch Sales
septentrio
septentrio
Posts
3
Views
3K
myk11

Vintage Tissot

myk11 Other Watch Brands Forum
Bernhard J
Bernhard J
Posts
11
Views
1K