formida - Classic Chronograph - Unisex - 1940

A superb Formida vintage chronograph watch, Swiss model dating from 1940. Formida was a renowned brand for its chronographs and complication watches, often powered by high-quality Swiss movements such as those from the Pierre Nicolet manufacture (Tramelan) in the Swiss town. The movement is a Landeron 48 caliber. The back of this chronograph is 9K gold, but with some wear, given its age of 86 years. It has two counters (bi-compax) with the inscription antimagnetic. Its design features tachymeter scales on the outer edge. This chronograph is highly sought-after by collectors for its vintage aesthetics and its importance in the history of Swiss watchmaking. Unlike modern chronographs, the top pusher is often used only to start, while the bottom one is used to stop and reset. It’s a very reliable movement, and very easy to service, as spare parts are available from specialized watchmakers. Bi-compax: the two-counter layout is typical. The left subdial is the small seconds (the time that passes) and the right one is the minute totalizer, 45 minutes, for the chronograph. Note the fine numbers on the outer edge. It could formerly measure distance (in relation to sound, like a crack of thunder) or average speed over a given distance. The antimagnetic inscription indicates that this watch was designed to resist magnetic fields, a major innovation at the time to ensure precision. Like all watches of that era, it is not waterproof. Wind my chronograph every morning, until you feel a distinct resistance. As with all mechanical watches, never wind the mechanism to the very end, or you may permanently stop it. Dimensions: 3.7 cm with the crown (or winder); the dial is 3.5 cm; thickness 0.5 cm; weight 45 grams. This is a chronograph from my collection. It works perfectly, to the second, with the time shown on my computer.