Tavannes small seconds Ref.1502, 1940s

— A silver saluki, speaking for the 1940s —

Made by Tavannes in the 1940s: a watch with both usefulness and craft in it.

Arabic indices and blued steel hands keep it legible, and the saluki stamped into the main plate marks it as a model built for the Japanese market.

— An in-house movement —

The movement is the maker's own calibre with 15 jewels. After all these years the winding action and the running are both still sound.

— A modest size —

A case a little over 30mm is easy to bring into modern dress, with the soft character vintage supplies.

A stainless case back and a dial that has changed with age give it the settled look of a watch that has been used.

— Tavannes in Swiss history —

A watch concentrating the technique of Tavannes, which built its reputation alongside Cyma.

Good enough as an introduction to vintage watches, and good enough for a collection.