For sale we have a very well designed and made Richard Calatrava style dress watch from the 1950s. It has a bumper automatic, with high grade finishing and improvements made to the base AS 1298 movement.
Richard produced high quality watches from the 1940s to the 1960s. In 1949 Richard were listed as “Richard Automatic, Richard SA, Morges/Saint-Jean” and in 1966 as “Richard SA, for automatics and chronographs”. They were taken over by Longines in 1978, presumably one of the many casualties of the Quartz crisis.
The case is made of Stainless Steel and measures 34mm x 34mm with a lug-to-lug measurement of 39mm. It has a polished finish to the top and a brushed finish to the sides. The case is circular and has a good depth, with beefy lugs extending from the case. The caseback is formed of Stainless Steel and is a screw back. It has a brushed finish to the face, with the sides being polished. It has light surface scratching associated with ageing. It is signed 1M, Richard, Stainless Steel, with the serial number 107021. The crown is original. It winds and sets as it should and is in excellent condition. It has a coin edge finish and is signed Richard.
The dial has a beautiful and complex finish. The outer section of the dial has a silver gloss finish which neatly sits around a silver chapter ring. Extending from this ring are the hour markers. This is neatly balanced with Arabic 12,3,6 and 9. Inside the chapter ring the dial has a circular graining radiating from the centre. Around the outside there is a seconds track with Arabic markers for 5 second graduations.
The movement is an AS 1298 which has been modified by Richard, with a much higher level of finishing. The circular striped finishing is very eye catching. It has 17 jewels and has a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has Incabloc shock protection. It is a bumper automatic which rotates between springs, creating a noticeable “bump” when rocking from side to side. It is signed Richard Watch Inc Swiss, Automatic, 17 jewels unadjusted.
The service history is unknown, and the movement hasn’t been serviced by ourselves. It is in good condition cosmetically and functionally. It is keeping time to within -15 second a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 1.4 m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial has a beautiful and complex finish. The outer section of the dial has a silver gloss finish which neatly sits around a silver chapter ring. Extending from this ring are the hour markers. This is neatly balanced with Arabic 12,3,6 and 9. Inside the chapter ring the dial has a circular graining radiating from the centre. Around the outside there is a seconds track with Arabic markers for 5 second graduations. The dial is signed Richard Automatic below 12, with 17 jewels above 6 O’clock. It is signed Swiss Made below 6 O’clock.
Hands:
The hands are original and of sword style. They have a silver tone which has corroded evenly with age. The central second hand is also original and fits the margins of the track well. It tapers towards the end.
Glass:
The crystal is the original and is Acrylic. It is in good condition with no noticeable marks.
Crown:
The crown is original. It winds and sets as it should and is in excellent condition. It has a coin edge finish and is signed Richard.
Case:
The case is made of Stainless Steel and measures 34mm x 34mm with a lug-to-lug measurement of 39mm. It is in good original condition with a polished finish. It maintains subtle traces of wear from its history with some light surface scratches. It has a polished finish to the top and a brushed finish to the sides. The case is circular and has a good depth, with beefy lugs extending from the case.
Caseback:
The caseback is formed of Stainless Steel and is a screw back. It has a brushed finish to the face, with the sides being polished. It has light surface scratching associated with ageing. It is signed 1M, Richard, Stainless Steel, with the serial number 107021. It is also signed Automatic, Antimagnetic, Shock-absorber, Waterproof. Inside it is signed Richard Watch Inc, Swiss made.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new black genuine leather Suede, Watch Geckota 18mm strap.
Movement:
The movement is covered by a metal cover to help protection it from moisture and water. The movement is an AS 1298 which has been modified by Richard, with a much higher level of finishing. It has 17 jewels and has a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has Incabloc shock protection. It is a bumper automatic which rotates between springs, creating a noticeable “bump” when rocking from side to side. It is signed Richard Watch Inc Swiss, Automatic, 17 jewels unadjusted.
The service history is unknown, and the movement hasn’t been serviced by ourselves. It is in good condition cosmetically and functionally. It is keeping time to within -15 second a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 1.4 m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 34mm
Case width with crown: 36.25mm
Case length: 34mm
Case length lug to lug: 39mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Lug width: 18mm