LE Royal - Small Second - No reserve price - Men - 1960-1969

Le Royal Ref. 17 Small Seconds – Swiss Mechanical – Silver Dial – 35 × 40 mm

A distinctive vintage Le Royal wristwatch combining classical small-seconds elegance with the bold proportions of a softly rounded cushion case. Its silver sunburst dial is enriched by applied gold-and-black hour markers, a stylised Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock and a finely balanced subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock.

The substantial chromed case gives the watch a strong period presence, while the contrasting yellow leather strap adds a fresh and expressive touch. With its traditional hand-wound mechanical movement and unmistakable mid-century styling, this Le Royal is a charming collector’s piece with authentic vintage character.

Technical Details
Brand: Le Royal
Model: Ref. 17 Small Seconds
Movement: Mechanical, manually wound
Functions: Hours, minutes and small seconds
Case material: Chromed metal with stainless-steel case back
Case shape: Cushion
Case dimensions: Approximately 35 × 40 mm, excluding the crown
Crystal: Acrylic glass
Dial: Silver sunburst dial
Hour markers: Applied gold-and-black indexes with Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock
Seconds display: Subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock
Strap: Generic yellow leather strap
Wrist size: Suitable for a wrist of up to approximately 20 cm
Water resistance: Not tested
Accessories: Generic presentation box
Condition Report

The watch is offered in Grade B condition, showing visible signs of wear consistent with its age and previous use. The chromed case presents scratches, scuffs, surface marks and areas of plating wear, particularly around the bezel, edges and lugs. The stainless-steel case back also displays age-related scratches and traces of use.

The acrylic crystal may show scratches and surface marks. The silver dial retains its attractive sunburst finish while displaying natural signs of ageing. The hands and applied hour markers also present age-related traces.

The generic yellow leather strap shows signs of previous use. The mechanical movement is functioning at the time of listing. As with any vintage mechanical watch, daily accuracy may vary. No recent service history is available, and future performance cannot be guaranteed.

Water resistance has not been tested; therefore, contact with water should be avoided. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an essential part of the condition description.

Story & Heritage

This Le Royal belongs to a period when independent Swiss watch brands produced expressive mechanical watches for an increasingly international market. These manufacturers combined traditional hand-wound movements with the changing design language of the post-war decades, creating watches that were both practical and visually distinctive.

The small-seconds arrangement has its roots in early wristwatch construction, when the seconds indication was positioned on a separate register rather than displayed by a central hand. By the mid-twentieth century, this configuration had become a mark of classical elegance, giving the dial a balanced and unmistakably mechanical appearance.

This example adds a more adventurous period character through its broad cushion-shaped case, silver sunburst surface and applied gold-and-black indexes. The unusual numeral at 12 o’clock provides a strong visual anchor, while the crosshair-style seconds register introduces a subtle technical quality.

With its honest signs of age and traditional mechanical heart, this Le Royal is an appealing survivor from an era of diverse and creative Swiss watchmaking—ideal for collectors who appreciate uncommon brands, small-seconds displays and authentic vintage design.

Internal Reference Number - Ctm. 96