Here we have an uncommon, early silver cased 35mm chronograph watch by Le Salève, dating to the early 1920s. It has a Swiss 0.900 Silver case with the snap-on bezel and double hinged case back. The bright white enamel dial is original, with the detailed outer minute/seconds track, inset sub-seconds and 30-minute counter, with the Italic Arabic numerals. It is signed below 12 with the Le Salève name. It has thermally blued spade and whip style hour and minute hands. The central second hand is clear with the tapered finish. The sub-second hand and 30-minute hand are both thermally blued. Inside it has Swiss hallmarking for 0.900 Silver, with the bear mark. It is signed with the serial number 26354. The movement has the gilt frosted finish. It is an uncommon early Alfred Lugrin (later becoming Lemania) calibre. The chronograph is started, stopped and reset by depressing the crown. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.  
 
Le Saleve were a brand owned by Blum & Ostersetzer SA, a Swiss watch company who specialised in the export of watches to Italy. They were based in Bienne and Geneva and were known for being the sole agents for Longines within Italy. Le Salève were one of a group of brand names used, which included Alba Watch Co, Chronometro Polare and Ecco.
 
It has a classic bright white enamel dial which has the stylised Italic Arabic numerals in a black tone. To the exterior is the detailed minutes/seconds track with 1/5th second graduations. At 9 O’clock is the inset sub-second register which has the railroad track with alternating 5 second dashes and Arabic numerals. At 3 O’clock is the inset 30 minute register which has individual minute dashes and the 5 minute graduations with Arabic numerals. Below 12 O’clock the dial is proudly signed with the ‘Le Salève’ name. The hour and minute hands are of classic spade and whip style, with the thermally blued finish. The tone of the finish is a deep blue, with shades of purple in areas which shine in the light. The central second hand is thermally blued with the tapered finish. The sub-second hand has the lollipop counterbalance and the thin design. The 30 minute counting hand has the broader shape.
 
The case is well proportioned for the age, measuring 34.5mm x 34.5mm, with the onion style crown taking the total width to 37mm. It has a lug-to-lug measurement to just under 40mm which adds significant presence. The lug width is well proportioned at 16mm, meaning you have a host of strap options.
 
The case is formed of silver and is in good antique condition. The bezel has the polished finish and snaps into place and holds the crystal, protecting the dial. To the centre section are the fixed bar lugs which are sturdy. To the right is the large, gold tone Onion style crown, which is depressed to operate the chronograph. Below is the pin set, which is depressed to turn the crown and set the time. The rear of the case has the double hinged back which protects the watch from dust and moisture. The case back is free of any engraving and has the polished finish matching the sides and the bezel. Inside it has the Swiss hallmarking for 0.900 fineness Silver with the bear mark. It is signed with the serial number ‘26354’.
The inner hinged back has the polished finish, with the matching serial number and hallmarking to the inside.
 
The movement is an early Alfred Lugrin calibre which has the gilt frosted finish. It is a manual wind calibre with a split bi-metallic balance and blued steel hairspring with overcoil. The movement is running well having been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to +40 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 1.4m/s.
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is enamel and is original. It has a chip to the edge which is only visible with the bezel removed. From this it has hairline fracture visible in the top left quarter of the dial. The signing is good. And clear.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are of spade and whip style. They are thermally blued and have darkened with age but still shine in the light. The sub-dial hands appear original. The central second hand seems to be a replacement.
 
Glass: 
The crystal is an acrylic replacement which is in good condition with no marking.
 
Crown: 
The crown is appears original of onion style and is in good antique condition, as is the pin set. It functions as it should.
 
Case:
The case is formed of silver and is in original. It is in good antique condition, having polished with age, with some light scratching and small deeper marks. The bezel snaps on and is secure. The fixed bar lugs are good and sturdy. The lugs at 6 O’clock are slightly bent.
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of silver and is in good antique condition. It snaps in place securely and the hinge is good. The silver hallmarking is clear and unworn.
 
Inner hinged back:
The inner hinged back snaps tightly in place. It is in good antique condition with the polished finish and light marking associated with age. The hinge is good. 
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap for fixed lugs, held in place with metal tabs.
 
Movement: 
The movement is an early Alfred Lugrin calibre which has the gilt frosted finish. It is a manual wind calibre with a split bi-metallic balance and blued steel hairspring with overcoil.
 
The movement is running well, but the service history in unknown. It’s keeping time to +40 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 1.4m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 34.4mm
Case width with crown: 39.6mm 
Case length: 34.5mm 
Case length lug to lug: 40mm
Case Depth: 13.75mm
Lug width: 16mm