Here we have an unusually designed Clamshell Waterproof E Borel watch, dating to the 1950s. It is signed as the reference 32-7019, with a two-piece stainless-steel case. The curved square case fits the wrist snuggly, with the front and rear held together with two screwed wedges to the top and bottom of the rear. This sandwiches the pieces of the case and the crystal with the seal, to create a waterproof design. This is further aided by the crown with is a tight fit, with a split stem. The dial is eyecatching with its uncommon dark grey tone and use of Radium Arabic numerals. The rear has the brushed finishing, with the inside marked with the ‘Brevet’ signing. The movement is an FHF calibre 26 which is manual wind. It has been recently serviced and is keeping reliable time.
E Borel:
Ernest Borel traces their history to 1856, when Jules Borel began producing watches near Neuchatel, Switzerland. Jules Borel’s son, Ernest, took over the company in 1894, renaming the company Ernest Borel & Cie in 1898. In 1903 the company began selling watches in China, a largely un-tapped market. Jean-Louis Borel took over from his father in 1936, with focus remaining on the Chinese market until the revolution in 1949.
This led to the return to Europe, with the brand entering the United States in the 1950s.
The design:
The dial is an eye-catching design. It is an uncommon dark grey tone, which has developed a lighter speckled patination to the centre. It has a clean and clear railroad track around the exterior, with a simple square sub-second dial at 6 O’clock. It has the Arabic numerals in a white tone with the radium luminous paint in an aged tone. Below 12 O’clock the dial is signed ‘E.Borel.Co’ with the ‘Super Sport’ branding. The hands are a silver tone in a Pencil style with the aged radium luminous in-fill. The sub-second hand stands out with its white painted finish.
The case is well proportioned for a vintage watch, measuring 29mm wide by 30mm in length. It has a good lug-to-lug measurement of 38mm, whilst maintaining a slim profile at 8.5mm deep. The lug width of 20mm allows a well sized strap to be fitted. It is formed of Stainless Steel and is an unusual waterproof design from the period. It is designed of a curved front piece, with the solid back which holds the movement and dial. It is wedged in place with the piece to the top and bottom, which are screwed in. This pulls the case together and ensures a tight seal with the crystal which sits over the dial with a rubber gasket. The crown sits tightly over the long crown tube, which helps to waterproof it. To expose the movement, it has a split stem, with the crown being removed by pulling it.
The crystal is the original complex curve, which sits proud of the dial and adds depth to the design.
The case is a stylish design with a square bezel design with the polished finish framing the dial nicely. The lugs are short and sharp, with a downwards turn to hug the wrist. This is an interesting angular design. There is a bevel to each side which is polished, with the brushed finish to the flat sides. From the side you can see the curvature of the case with the downturned lugs. To the rear is the flat case back which is a solid piece. It has the original brushed finishing with the reference signing ’32-7019’. To the top and bottom are the screwed case clamps. Inside the rear is signed with the Brevet signing, indicating the patented nature of the design.
The movement is an FHF 26 which is manual wind. It has a sub second hand and a jewel count of 15. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 40-hour power reserve. It benefits from Incabloc shock protection. The movement has been recently serviced and is keeping time to +50 seconds a day.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good original condition. It is a dark grey satin base tone which has developed a lighter speckled patination with age. The signing is good and unworn with the aged radium on the Arabic numerals. There is a slight fracture stemming from the hole for the sub-second pinion, stretching to 7 O’clock.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in good condition. The hour and minute hands are Silver aged luminous in-fill. The white painted sub-second hand is original.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and is in good condition for the age with only some light marking.
Crown:
The crown is a well matched replacement. It is a split stem design which is secure.
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in good condition for the age. It has a polished bezel with brushed finish to the sides. It has light surface scratching associated with ageing.
Caseback:
The case back is formed of steel and is in good condition for the age. It is a solid piece which holds the movement and dial. It is held in place with the steel inserts screwed to the top and bottom. It has the original brushed finish with some light scratching. The signing and reference number are clear.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new genuine leather racing style strap.
Movement:
The movement is an FHF 26 which is manual wind. It has a sub second hand and a jewel count of 15. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 40-hour power reserve. It benefits from Incabloc shock protection.
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to +50 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 0.6 m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 28.5mm
Case width with crown: 30.6mm
Case length: 30mm
Case length lug to lug: 38mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Lug width: 20mm