Ancre - SMALL SECOND - No reserve price - Men - 1900-1949

Ancre 15 Rubis – Vintage Swiss Mechanical Watch – Small Seconds – 1930s–1940s

A charming vintage Ancre 15 Rubis mechanical wristwatch, dating approximately from the 1930s–1940s, displaying many of the characteristic design elements of pre- and post-war Swiss watchmaking.

The watch features an aged silver-tone dial with distinctive Arabic numerals, elegant blued hands and a traditional small-seconds subdial positioned at 6 o’clock. The naturally developed patina gives the dial considerable character and authenticity, reflecting the age and history of the piece.

The dial is signed ANCRE – 15 RUBIS, while the hand-wound Swiss mechanical movement is also marked “ANCRE – 15 RUBIS – SWISS MADE.” The visible movement architecture, jewel bearings and traditional manual-winding construction are characteristic of Swiss mechanical watchmaking from this period.

Technical Details
Brand / Dial marking: Ancre
Type: Vintage Swiss mechanical wristwatch
Case material: Chrome plated
Case diameter: Approx. 32 mm, excluding crown
Glass: Acrylic crystal
Dial: Silver-tone dial with strong natural patina
Hour markers: Arabic numerals
Hands: Blued steel-style hands
Movement: Swiss mechanical, manual winding
Jewels: 15 Rubis / 15 jewels
Movement marking: Ancre – 15 Rubis – Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Small seconds: Subdial at 6 o’clock
Water resistance: Not tested for water.
Strap: Generic black leather strap, approx. 18 cm
Box: Delivered with generic presentation box.
Condition Grade: B

Condition Report
This Ancre mechanical watch is in Grade B condition, showing authentic signs of age consistent with a watch approaching a century old.
The chrome-plated case displays scratches, marks, oxidation and areas of plating wear.

The silver-tone dial has developed a strong natural patina, with visible spotting, discoloration and ageing throughout the surface. These characteristics have been preserved rather than concealed and contribute significantly to the authentic vintage appearance of the watch.

The Arabic numerals remain clearly legible, while the elegant blued hands provide an attractive contrast against the aged dial. The small-seconds register at 6 o’clock retains its original period character.
The acrylic crystal presents scratches and signs of normal use. The watch is fitted with a generic black leather strap.

The mechanical movement shows visible signs of age and use while retaining its important 15 Rubis / Swiss Made markings.
The watch has not been tested for water resistance, therefore water resistance is not guaranteed.
Please study all photos carefully, as they are part of the description and show the actual condition of the item.

Story & Heritage
The word “Ancre”, French for “anchor,” was historically used on Swiss watches and movements in connection with the lever escapement — échappement à ancre — one of the defining mechanisms of traditional mechanical watchmaking.

The 15 Rubis inscription refers to the use of 15 jewel bearings within the mechanical movement. These synthetic ruby bearings were positioned at important friction points in the mechanism to reduce wear and improve long-term performance.
This watch belongs to an era when the wristwatch was evolving into the dominant form of personal timekeeping. Its compact 32 mm case, small-seconds display, Arabic numerals and blued hands are all strongly associated with wristwatch design of the 1930s and 1940s.

Particularly appealing is the survival of its original vintage character. The pronounced dial patina, traditional hand-wound movement and period proportions tell the story of a mechanical object that has endured for many decades.
A characterful historical piece for collectors of early Swiss wristwatches, hand-wound mechanical watches and authentic pre-/post-war timepieces.

Internal Reference Number - Soa-19