Tissot Chronograph - Tropical Dial - The Caliber Omega Called the 321 - Circa 1947

In 1930, the crash that had emptied Wall Street the autumn before reached the watchmaking towns of Switzerland. American orders stopped coming, export crates sat on the docks, and in the towns that lived by the trade, the benches were going quiet. That year two of the oldest names in the country, Omega and Tissot, bound themselves into a single company to survive. Two years later Lemania, the greatest chronograph maker joined them and brought its movements with it.

In the middle of World War II Albert-Gustave Piguet a watchmaker for Lemania designed a new chronograph movement, small, thin, accurate, and strong, and the family shared it across its three brand names. Omega called its version the 321, the caliber of the first watch worn on the moon, and Tissot called its version the C27-41H.

This watches dial has gone a lovely tropical yellow with beautiful splotches or warm patina. The pale silver that it left the factory with has turned to butterscotch, this is the type of dial only 50+ years of age can produce. The tachymeter ring survives in blue, and the original lume on the numerals stand in a deep brown/olive. Three registers keep the seconds, the chronograph's minutes, and hours, and the lume in the hands is a deep warm brown color. No other watch has a dial just like this it's one of a kind.

The dial is signed Tissot in its period corredt font, the chronograph bridge is signed Chs. Tissot & Fils, and the caseback is signed Chs. Tissot & Fils as well.

The stainless steel case in worn condition, with scratches throughout but it retains its faceted lugs and shape and pairs nicely with aged dial. The crown is the original omega flat foot crown, and it is signed with Omega's mark, the alliance carried in plain sight for all to see on the side of the case. A domed acrylic crystal covers the dial. The strap is unlike any I have had before and a beautiful modern touch, cream cloth printed with black branches over navy leather, and it suits the watch too well to change. The back reads Non Magnetic, Waterproof, Shock Absorber, and inside that ring, cut in script by an earlier hand, a single word: Cedar. The watch runs, and its service history is unknown.

Terms: Please review all photos carefully as they are a part of the listing. This is a vintage timepiece. Accuracy, power reserve, and water resistance are not guaranteed. Vintage watches may require periodic service. Performance can vary with wear, temperature, and position.

All sales final.