1970s Phenix Automatic Day Date Oval Angular Case
Ref: S 7726 B
Specification
Lugs : 18mm
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 Phenix box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with an 18mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1970s and is sold in worn condition, but overall fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
The Phenix watch trademark was founded in 1873 in Porrentruy, Switzerland. Their watches were manufactured and assembled on site. Thus ensuring a repeatable manufacturing process where each watch could be checked by the watchmaker. As a result of their attention to detail, the brand has won a number of industry awards, including its Firebird model. In 1960 Phenix was divided into three brands including Revue Thommen and Vulcain which was relaunched in 2004. In 1981 the factory was set to close and with the help of ETA, some of the workers founded Prisma and moved to new premises in Route d’Alle, Switzerland.
Here we have a 1970s Phenix Automatic Day-Date with a 38mm oval angular stainless steel case. Polished and brushed surfaces transition with crisp edges. A lug-to-lug length of 37.5mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. The angular shape sits on your wrist like a cushion. On the right side is a signed crown. The flat oval crystal sits above a two-tone dial of silver and gradient blue. As you rotate your wrist the centre blue shimmers in the light with its horizontal banding. A raised minute chapter ring has hour markers with lume pips marking the hours. At 3 o'clock a framed day/date. Elegant baton hands have a strip of lume and are complemented by a tapered white second hand. At 12 o'clock Phenix motif and at 6 o'clock automatic completes this stunning timepiece. On the reverse is a screw-down case back. Inside an Automatic ETA 2789-1, 25 jewels, 21,600 Beats per hour.
Personal Note
I am blown away by how good this watch looks but also how great it is mechanically! Phenix clearly was a brand aiming to produce watches far beyond the quality of most at the time, during the 1970s the brands producing funky designs resorted to AS calibers and Chrome cases, but this Phenix features a construction that's on par with the best at the time. If you are after something funky or a great vintage gift, this is the one you should go for!