Here we have a beautiful and well designed 1950s Vixia 33mm Stainless Steel case Bidynator automatic watch. It is an eyecatching watch with the tapered facetted lug design and bevelled bezel. To the right is the domed crown with the wide notched finish. It has a textured waffle dial with the applied alternating arabic and coffin shaped hour markers. It has the inner seconds track with dot markers and luminous plots on the hour markers with the Vixia name is inset into the dial. The hands are of facetted luminous Dauphine style with the arrow pointer central second hand. To the rear is the 6 notched screwback with the 25-690 reference signing.
Inside is the early bi-directional Felsa 690 automatic movement of the highest grade with a jewel count of 25 and a Reeds regulator. It is keeping accurate time.
With so many small design touches and quality aspects, this watch is an absolute joy to wear.
The first aspect your eyes are drawn to are the dial. It is an excellent dial design with a cream tone waffle textured finish. The Vixia name stands out with a raised rectangular boarder around the signing. The hour markers are applied and are three-dimensional, alternating between Arabic numerals and faceted coffin shaped hour markers. It has the inner seconds track with silver dot markers and luminous plots on the hour markers. The hands are of facetted luminous Dauphine style. They are a silver tone with the original aged luminous in-fill. The central second hand has the oval counterbalance with the arrow pointer to the tip.
The case measures 33mm x 33mm, with a width including crown of 36mm. The lugs are long and impactful with the total lug-to-lug length spanning to 42mm, increasing the presence of the watch on the wrist. It is a comfortable wear, with a depth of just over 10mm. It has a well sized lug width of 18mm, allowing for a variety of straps.
The case is formed of Stainless Steel and is a neat design. The bezel is notched and has a flat edge, with neat chamfer leading up to the crystal. This is a small touch of design which completely alters the way in which the watch reflects the light. The sides of the case and the top and bottom between the lugs, are curved outwards. This creates a watch that wears larger than its strict 33mm measurement. It also provides another intriguing mix of texture to reflect the light. The lugs are of a tapered, angular design with the facetted sides. To the right is the original crown which has 6 semi cylindrical notches to it which is needlessly ornate and a lovely piece of design.
The case back is formed of Stainless Steel and is a 6 notch screw back. It has the polished finish and is signed with the reference 25-690. Inside it has perlage finishing and is signed “Vixia Swiss Stainless Steel”.
The movement is a Felsa 690 with 25 jewels. This is the highest grade of the calibre as it came in lesser jewel counts. It also has a Reed’s regulator which wasn’t found on every model. It has a bi-directional rotor with a sweep central second hand. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH with a power reserve of 44 hours. The service history is unknown, however the movement is in good condition keeping good time. It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 230 degrees and a beat error of 2.8m/s.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is in good original condition with the even tone. The sigining is good and clear. The hour markers have light marking but no signs of corrosion. The dot markers are good and clear, with original aged luminous plots.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in good condition with light marking. The lume in-fill to the centre is original with signs of ageing.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and is in perfect condition.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light marking, functioning as it should.
Case:
The stainless steel case is original and unpolished. It has light surface scratching associated with age and some light nicks.
Caseback:
The case back is formed of Stainless Steel and is in unpolished original condition. It has light scratching to the polished finish.
Strap:
The strap is a new genuine leather for 18mm lug width. It will fit from a up to an 8 inch wrist diameter.
Movement:
The movement is a Felsa 690 with 25 jewels. This is the highest grade of the calibre as it came in lesser jewel counts. It also has a Reed’s regulator which wasn’t found on every model. It has a bi-directional rotor with a sweep central second hand. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH with a power reserve of 44 hours.
The service history is unknown, however the movement is in good condition keeping good time. It has a daily gain of +20 seconds, with an amplitude of 225 degrees and a beat error of 2.8m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 33mm
Case width with crown: 36mm
Case length: 33mm
Case length lug to lug: 42mm
Case Depth: 10.5mm
Lug width: 18mm