Tell - Small Second - Fără preț de rezervă - Men - 1950-1959

Tell Vintage Small Seconds – Swiss Mechanical Movement – 15 Jewels – Chrome-Plated Case – Champagne Guilloché Dial – Sub-Seconds at 6 O'Clock – Leather Strap

A charming vintage Tell wristwatch, featuring an elegant champagne dial, a classic round chrome-plated case and a traditional Swiss mechanical hand-wound movement.
Dating approximately from the 1950s, this timepiece captures the refined aesthetics of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, when mechanical precision, decorative dial finishing and understated elegance defined the character of everyday wristwatches.
The most distinctive feature of this watch is its beautifully detailed champagne dial, decorated with a fine concentric wave-pattern guilloché-style finish surrounding the central section. This decorative texture creates a sophisticated visual effect, reflecting the craftsmanship and design traditions of vintage watchmaking.

Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 o'clock are complemented by elegant baton hour markers, while the aged metallic hands contribute to its authentic vintage character.
At 6 o'clock, a recessed small seconds subdial adds a traditional mechanical detail, giving the watch a balanced and distinctive appearance.
The round chrome-plated case features slender angular lugs and a polished bezel, paired with a brown leather strap that complements the warm tones of the dial.
Inside is a Swiss mechanical hand-wound movement with 15 jewels, a traditional construction characteristic of mid-century watchmaking.

An attractive vintage timepiece for collectors who appreciate classic Swiss mechanical watches, decorative dials and the timeless charm of small seconds complications.

Technical Details
Brand: Tell
Model: Vintage Small Seconds
Period: 1950-1959
Gender: Men's
Case material: Chrome plated
Case diameter: 35 mm
Case back: Stainless steel
Glass: Acrylic crystal
Dial: Aged champagne dial with decorative guilloché-style pattern
Hour markers: Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals and baton indexes
Hands: Metallic hands with natural ageing
Movement: Swiss mechanical manual winding
Jewels: 15
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Small seconds: Subdial at 6 o'clock
Water resistance: Not tested
Strap: Brown generic leather strap
Wrist circumference: Approx. 20–21 cm
Box: Generic box included
Condition: Grade B

Condition Report

This Tell Vintage Small Seconds wristwatch is presented in Grade B condition, showing signs of age and use consistent with its vintage character. The chrome-plated case displays scratches, surface marks and areas of plating wear. The champagne dial shows noticeable natural ageing, including patina, small spots, discolouration and surface marks distributed across the dial. The decorative guilloché-style pattern remains visible, preserving the distinctive appearance of the watch.

The applied hour markers and metallic hands show signs of oxidation and age-related wear, contributing to the authentic character of this vintage piece.
The small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock remains clearly visible, with its original-style fine markers and recessed design.
The acrylic crystal shows signs of normal use and surface wear.
The stainless steel case back displays scratches, oxidation spots and visible signs of ageing. The engraved inscription "Fond Acier Inoxydable" remains legible.

The Swiss mechanical movement is marked "15 Jewels" and "Swiss Made". Its copper-toned plates and traditional mechanical construction are visible in the photographs.
The brown leather strap shows signs of use, including creasing and surface wear.
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 1950s represented a remarkable period in Swiss watchmaking, when mechanical wristwatches combined practical reliability with increasingly refined design.
During this era, smaller Swiss watch brands contributed to the diversity of the industry by offering elegant mechanical timepieces equipped with traditional hand-wound movements.
This vintage Tell reflects the design language of that period, when the dial was not merely an instrument for reading time but also an expression of decorative craftsmanship.

One of the most appealing details of this watch is its champagne dial with a fine wave-pattern guilloché-style decoration.
Such decorative finishes were widely appreciated in mid-century watchmaking for their ability to add texture, depth and visual refinement without compromising legibility.
The combination of applied Arabic numerals, slender baton markers and a recessed small seconds display creates a harmonious composition inspired by traditional Swiss watch design.
The small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock is particularly characteristic of earlier mechanical wristwatches, recalling a period when separate seconds indications were a familiar feature of classic timepieces.

The 15-jewel Swiss hand-wound movement reflects traditional mechanical engineering, relying on a mainspring, gear train and balance assembly rather than electronic components.
Winding the watch manually remains part of the experience of owning a vintage mechanical timepiece, creating a direct connection with the craftsmanship of a previous generation.
With its aged champagne dial, elegant case proportions and traditional small seconds display, this Tell wristwatch embodies the understated charm of mid-century European watchmaking.

Its visible patina tells the story of decades of use, giving the piece a distinctive personality that cannot be reproduced by a modern watch.
A charming vintage Swiss mechanical watch for collectors of classic timepieces, decorative dials and traditional hand-wound movements.
Internal Reference Number -FLO 223