Here we have a lovely example of a 1940s Lathin Watch Co, Regulator dial wristwatch. It is a beautiful mid 1940s tool watch which has the clear regulator display with the seconds at the forefront.
It has the 34mm chrome plated case with the brushed finishing. The dial is bright with the silver satin tone and eye-catching in-set hour and minute dial, with the grained sunburst finish. This example is particularly unusual due to its syringe style luminous hands and luminous numerals to the hours and minutes. The Regulator dial has the hour sub-dial at 12, with the minutes at 6 O’clock. The central second hand is clear with the dial focusing on accurate time keeping to the second. To the rear is the steel Lathin signed screwback and inside is the FHF calibre 200 movement. It is a 17 jewel manual wind movement with shock proofing. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.
The movement has the US import code LOY which was used by both Benrus and Lathin watch company, indicating the watch was made for the US market.
 
The dial is one of the best designs of regulator layout we have seen. It has a a bright silver satin tone, with the clear 1/5th seconds track around the exterior. The brand signing is either side of the centre of the dial, offering a neat symmetry. The sub-dials at 12 and 6 O’clock bring the watch alive. The use of texture creates a bold and aesthetically pleasing result. The sub-dials are inset, with the grained concentric circles. The finishing has the sunburst finish which radiates around the sub-dials in the light. The luminous arabic numerals on the hours and the mix of arabic 15, 30, 45 and 60 with dot markers provide further texture. The luminous is original and has aged to a pumpkin tone. The syringe style hour and minute hand with the luminous in-fill are also uncommon for a regulator dial. With the thermally blued finish, matching that of the second hand, they stand out and complete a really enjoyable dial.
 
The case is well proportioned, measuring 34mm x 34mm. It has a lug-to-lug measurement of 41.25mm which increases the presence. The depth of under 10mm and the downturn of the lugs makes this a really comfortable piece with a sleek profile. The bezel is slim which allows the dial to be the main focal point, as intended.
It is a chrome plated case which has the brushed finishing to the lugs and sides. The slim, polished bezel is a neat surround to the dial, whilst the there is a polished bevel between the lugs and side of the case, separating the faces. The lugs are tapered and downturned creates a neat fit to the wrist. To the right is the original chunky coin edge crown which allows easy setting. 
The stainless steel back is signed with the Lathin name and the watches waterproof and antimagnetic properties. It has the sunburst finish which catches the light and rounds off the case well. 
The movement is a manual wind FHF calibre 200. It has a jewel count of 17 and benefits from shock protection. It is a lovely movement, of good quality and unusual design to accommodate the regulator display. It has been recently serviced and is keeping reliable time within 15 seconds variation a day.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below. A further condition report is below.
 
Dial:
The dial is original and is in very good condition. The satin silver finish is bright and clean. The signing is good, without wear. The sub-dials are good with the grained sunburst finish. The luminous is original and nicely aged.
 
Hands:
The hands are original and are in good condition. They are thermally blued and have a bright finish which catches the light. The luminous in-fill to the hour and minute hands is original. 
 
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is in very good condition with no marking.
 
Crown:
The crown is original. It is chrome plated and is in decent condition. It has some wear to the face.
 
Case:
The case is chrome plated and is in good original condition. It has the brushed finish to the top of the lugs and sides of the case, with a polished bevel separating them. There is no obvious wear to the chrome plating. There are some light scratches associated with age. 
 
Caseback:
The case back screws into place and has the brushed sunburst finish. It is in good condition, with the sunburst finish bright. It has some light marking associated with age. The engraving is good and clear.
 
Strap:
The watch comes on new leather strap which is in good condition. 
 
Movement:
The movement is an FHF calibre 200. It is a 17-jewel manual wind movement, which has a beat rate of 18,000 BPH. 
The movement has been recently serviced and is in good condition. It’s keeping time to within -15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 1.9m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 33.8mm
Case width with crown: 36.7mm 
Case length: 33.85mm 
Case length lug to lug: 41.25mm
Case Depth: 9.4mm
Lug width: 18mm