For sale we have a late 1930s Fears watch with a 29mm chrome plated case, manual wind movement and stand out dial with Art Deco stylised gold foil numerals.
This watch has compact sizing, measuring 29mm x 29mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 34.5mm. It was originally a gents watch, but is suited to gents used to wearing smaller, vintage watches, or to a ladies wrist.
It is a clean and classic design with a circular case and neatly tapered lugs. The watch is a loved example and after its 85 years of existence has wear to the chrome plating. This is even across the edge of the bezel and tips of the lugs, with wear to the face of the crown too. This is quite a charming testament to the years that the watch has been used and enjoyed by past owners. We also think it matches nicely with the gold accents with the hands and the gold foil numerals. Ageing has created a cohesive appearance.
It has a silver satin dial, which is balanced in its design. The standout aspect of the watch is the use of stylised art deco numerals. These are a very pretty font, which is the perfect embodiment of Art Deco design. The Gatsby style Arabic numerals and neatly balanced with dot markers. The sub-second dial is inset into the dial and balances neatly with the Fears signing below 12. Around the outside is the simple railroad minute track.
The hands are a gold tone to match the numerals, and they are all original. This provides subtle visibility against the silver dial.
The watch is presented on a new Fears ‘Bristol Blue’ genuine leather strap, hand-made in Belgium.
The movement is by well-known Swiss manufacturer Fabrique d’Horlogerie Fontainemelon (FHF). Their movements also featured in Tudor watches into the 1950s. It is a calibre 30 movement, which is manual wind, with 15 jewels and a power reserve of 40 hours.
It is working well after its Fears Heritage service and is guaranteed for a year giving you peace of mind.
This beautiful example will come nestled in an official Fears box, in “Fears Bristol Blue” with cream interior. Upon opening, you will be greeted by a Fears owner club card, with a historic inspired Edwin Fear cleaning cloth.
Accompanying this will be an extract from the Fears archive, detailing the specifics of this example, hand signed by 4th Managing Director, Nicholas Bowman-Scargill.
This is a charming little example with a beautiful Art Deco design and.a quality manual wind mechanical movement.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in decent condition for the age. The silver satin finish is good, as are the gold foil hour markers and signing. It has marking associated with ageing.
Hands:
The hands are original. They are a gold tone and have some marking with age.
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement and is in perfect condition.
Crown:
The crown is original and is chromium plated. It has brassing which matches the case.
Case:
The chrome plated case is original and has aged. It has brassing, with the chrome plate having worn and the gold from the brass below showing through. It lacks major scratching.
Caseback:
The case back is formed of Stainless Steel and is in decent condition. It maintains its original polished finish. It has light surface scratching and some deeper scratches from poor opening attempts.
Strap:
The watch is on a new Fears ‘Bristol Blue’ leather strap, hand made in Belgium. It is held in place with metal fold over tabs as the lugs are fixed bars.
The strap will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter. The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference to give an idea of the proportions.
Movement:
It is an FHF calibre 30 which is manual wind, with a jewel count of 15. It has a power reserve of 40 hours. It dates to the late 1930s / early 1940s.
The movement is working well and is fresh from its Fears Heritage service. It is currently keeping time to within +30 seconds a day.
Case dimensions:
The case is small and is suited to a gent who is used to smaller watches, or a ladies wrist.
Case width: 29mm
Case width with crown: 31.5mm
Case length: 29mm
Case length lug to lug: 34.5mm
Case Depth: 9.5mm
Lug width: 15mm