Many wristwatch manufacturers sprung up in the 1920s, as wrist watches began to boom. These brands tended to continue into the 1960s or 70s, but most brands failed to keep up with innovation and trends or succumbed to the Quartz crisis. 
They are now consigned to the history books, with little knowledge remaining of their history. However, charming examples such as this allow us to blow the dust off and revive a little part of these companies’ histories. 
 
Fabrique D’Horlogerie Liga S.A. established in Solothurn in Switzerland and produced watches from the 1920s. The Liga trademark was registered in the US by Liga Watch Manufactory, Soleure, Switzerland in 1924, claiming use from 1921.
 
This particular example is a very sweet late 1930s leather compact travel or desk clock. Most travel clocks were large, with more compact pieces being less common. This Liga example uses an AS calibre, which doesn’t provide the benefit of an 8-day movement, or an alarm function, but allows a much more petite design. 
 
The outer leather case measures 52mm x 35mm, making it comfortable in the pocket, briefcase or purse. It is a light to dark brown tone with a hint of orange. It folds open as it should, with a good hinge. The inner watch case is also hinged to provide access to the rear. The inside of the leather is signed Swiss Made in a gold tone. 
 
The square case is chrome plated with a polished finish and is in good original condition. It has some light surface scratching but no pitting to the chrome finish. The case back is chrome plated and has a polished finish.  
 
The dial is in good original condition. It has a silver satin base tone with no noticeable marks or discolouration. It has simple dash markers to the exterior, with clear Arabic numerals. There is a subtle lume in-fill to the numerals. The hands are of Index style and have a thermally blued tone. They maintain the original radium lume in-fill which has aged to a pumpkin tone. 
 
The acrylic crystal is original and has a slight bevel to the edges. It has some light scratches associated with ageing. It is a clear and even tone.  
 
The movement is a late 1930s A. Schild calibre 984 movement. It has a higher level of finishing than standard, with Genève stripe finishing and bevelled bridge edges. The movement is keeping acceptable time for its age. It has a daily gain of +90 seconds, with an amplitude of 200 degrees and a beat error of 2.5m/s.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
The leather case:
The leather case is in good original condition. It has some small marks and nicks, but this is to be expected with the age and nature of the clock’s usage. It has a light to dark brown tone with a hint of orange. It folds open as it should, with a good hinge. The inner watch case is also hinged to provide access to the rear. The inside of the leather is signed Swiss Made in a gold tone. 
 
Dial: 
The dial is in good original condition. It has a silver satin base tone with no noticeable marks or discolouration. It has simple dash markers to the exterior, with clear Arabic numerals. There is a subtle lume in-fill to the numerals. It is in good original condition. The dial is signed Liga below 12 O’clock, with Swiss made below 6 O’clock.
 
Hands: 
The hands are original. They are of Index style and have a thermally blued tone. They are in good condition with minimal corrosion and no bending. They maintain the original radium lume in-fill which has aged to a pumpkin tone. 
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is original and has a slight bevel to the edges. It has some light scratches associated with ageing. It is a clear and even tone.  
 
Crown: 
The crown is original and has a neat coin edge finish. It has some light surface scratches but is in good condition.
 
Case:
The Sqaure case is chrome plated with a polished finish and is in good original condition. It has some light surface scratching but no pitting to the chrome finish. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is chrome plated and is in good original condition. It has a polished finish.  
 
Movement: 
The movement is a late 1930s A. Schild calibre 984 movement. It has a higher level of finishing than standard, with Genève stripe finishing and bevelled bridge edges.
 
The service history is unknown. The movement is keeping acceptable time for its age. It has a daily gain of +90 seconds, with an amplitude of 200 degrees and a beat error of 2.5m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case length closed: 52.5mm
Case width closed: 35mm
Case depth closed: 13mm
Open total depth: 58mm
Watch case width: 28mm
Watch case length: 27.5mm
Watch case depth: 9.5mm