Here we have a large oval 1970s diver watch by Mondaine. It is an impressive watch, measuring 38.25mm wide x 46.25mm in length. It has a Stainless-Steel case of oval design, with the bi-directional Bakelite bezel and the screw down case back. It has a matte black dial with square Tritium hour markers, with the date at 6 O’clock. The date magnifier is set into the original acrylic crystal. The hand are original, with contrasting designs and Tritium luminous in-fill. Inside is the ETA 2783 automatic movement, with quickset date. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.
The dial is a matte black base tone with clear white signing. It has long dash minute/seconds markers with square hour blocks. These have Tritium luminous in-fill, which has aged to a pumpkin tone. The markers at 9, 12 and 3 are applied to the dial and are a silver tone. These larger markers also have Tritium lume plots and enable the used to differentiate between the sections of the dial. These also balance well with the date function, which is at 6 O’clock. This is a clear Roulette date wheel with white window and red Arabic numerals. It is further enhanced by the original acrylic crystal which has an internal magnifier.
The dial is signed with the mondaine name and logo. It is markers ’25 jewels Automatic’ and ‘Incabloc, Waterproof, 20 ATM’. It is also marked T Swiss Made T, either side of 6 O’clock.
The hands are original and are all a silver tone. They have the original aged Tritium luminous paint. The hour and minute hand are of distinct design with the minute hand having a broad tip. The central second hand has a chunky rectangular luminous plot.
The dial is framed by the bi-directional steel bezel. It has the original Bakelite bezel insert, which continues the retro design aspects. It has a clear Tritium triangle at 60/0 minutes, with 15, 30 and 45 markers, 5 minute graduations and 20 minute single minute graduation count down dashes.
The case is somewhat of a monster by vintage and retro standards. It measures 38.25mm wide x 46.25mm in length. The bezel diameter is 37.5mm x 37.5mm, with the dial being 29mm x 29mm. It is an impressive Oval design which rises off of the wrist, providing a clear face for accurate timekeeping. The case a subtle curvature, which means it is still a comfortable wear. It has a satin sunburst finish to the top of the case, typical of 1970s design. The curved sides have a polished finish.
The case back screws down. It has engraving with the features of the watch; ‘Waterproof, Incabloc, Anti-magnetic, Stainless Steel, Swiss Made, 200 Metres, Automatic’. This was a watch Mondia were proud of as a hunk of Retro, functional tool. It has a diver motif engraved to the centre. Inside it is singed Mondaine Watch LTD.
Inside is the ETA 2783 movement. It is an automatic calibre, with a jewel count of 25. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 BPH and has a 47 hour power reserve. Incabloc shock protected, with a sweep central second hand and a quickset date function. This is a well-made and reliable movement, as expected from ETA. It has been recently serviced and is keeping very accurate time within +15 seconds a day.
There are many aspects that make this a quality divers watch. It has all the functions you need, with top design touches that make it stand out. The large Oval case, sunburst finishing, aged Tritium accents, Bakelite bezel, date position at 6 O’clock, Roulette date wheel, eye-catching dial and hand design, plus a quality movement.
Modaine:
In 1951 Erwin Bernheim founded Mondaine in Solothurn, Switzerland. Mondaine Watch Company is best known now for its line of clean, Bauhaus design watches, based on Hans Hilfiker’s official Federal Swisss Railway clocks from 1944. The company, owned by the Bernheim family, gained official license form the Federal Swiss Railways in 1986. The design is easily recognisable for its red second hand, inspired by the red paddles used by station manager to notify when a train was to depart.
But Mondaine did not just produce watches based on this license. Prior to this, they created some impressive designs, including a wide range of Diver watches.
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 condition. It is a matte black tone with white signing. There is no noticeable wear to the finish. The lume plots are Tritium and have aged to a darker tone.
Hands:
The hands are original and in good condition. They are a silver tone which has some scratching. The lume in-fill is original and intact.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and is in good condition. It has the internal date magnifier. It has some stress crazing within it from age.
Bezel:
The bezel is original and has the original Bakelite insert. It has a good coin edge finish. The insert is good, with light marking and scratching associated with age.
Crown:
The crown is a period replacement. It seals tightly but does not screw down.
Case:
The case is stainless steel and is in decent condition. It has a brushed satin finish to the bezel. The sides are polished and have some light marks and dints. It has been polished in the past.
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in decent condition for the age. The engraving is clear, with the watch specifics and the diver design. It has light surface scratching and some deeper marks from poor opening.
Strap:
The watch comes on a genuine leather strap with white stitching.
Movement:
The movement is an ETA 2783. It is an automatic movement, with a jewel count of 25. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 BPH and has a power reserve of 47 hours. It has Incabloc shock protection a central second hand and a quickset date function.
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 38.25mm
Case width with crown: 41mm
Case length: 46.25mm
Case Depth: 12.8mm
Lug width: 19mm
Dial: 29mm x 29mm
Bezel 37.5mm x 37.5mm