1970s CAMY Superautomatic Montego Red ETA 2789
Ref: 7616
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original box or original paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 20mm Camy stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp; the bracelet will fit up to 7 inches. The watch is from Circa. 1970s and is in worn, vintage condition as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nx9AqKtk4qgIhqhvvnFAxhTXOz_gAax3?usp=share_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 27:11 - https://youtu.be/PSYNUupBTnQ
The Watch
Here we have a 1970s Camy Superautomatic Montego Red ETA 2789 with a 40mm stainless steel cushion-style case that curves over your wrist towards hidden lugs, an unmistakably 1970s design and flamboyant execution. A chamfered edge along the case's flanks leads to a lug-to-lug length of 42.5mm and a case thickness of 12mm ensuring a comfortable fit. On the right side is a recessed signed crown, the stepped smooth bezel holds a domed crystal that sits above a striking sunburst red dial. A red and silver outer chapter ring has a distinctive slope with squares marking the hours, the inner minute track in white with lumed pips is precisely executed, at 3 o’clock a framed day/date window indents into the surrounding chapter ring. Slender baton hands have an infill of lume and are complemented by a tapered sweeping orange second hand, a nice contrast to the red. At 12 o’clock we have the Camy motif with “Geneve Superautomatic” printed underneath and at 6 o’clock “Montego” completes this striking vintage timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the Camy motif engraved in the centre and an engraved ring filled with the watch's details, inside an automatic ETA Cal. 2789, beating at 21,600 beats per hour, this workhorse movement was in production from 1969 until 1976. The watch comes paired with its original 20mm Camy stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp.
Personal Note
It is no secret that I am a big fan of 70s watches and I'm always on the lookout for designs or models I've not had before, this is one of them and screams unapologetically of the 1970s! Plus this is powered by an automatic ETA, is built incredibly well and beautifully designed overall with a Camy signed crown and bracelet, this wasn't a cheap watch in its day! Snap this up if you are a fan, I doubt you'll see another one on the wrist of someone else, that's for sure!
The Brand
Camy Watch Co. SA was founded in Genève in 1917. By the 1970s, they sold mass-market and upscale watches under the Camy, Cronel, Enzo, and Mirexal brands. Raymond Weil joined Camy Watch S.A. in 1949 where he soon became manager and spent 26 years with them. In 1976, during the “quartz crisis” that dramatically affected the watch industry, he was fired by the late owner's son. Raymond Weil went on to set up his own company and took with him a large number of Camy's employees. Soon after this event, Camy Watch S.A. closed after just a few months.