11. november 2014

Same chunky cushion watch case "Mortima-style" - different brands

A very nice large cushion shaped watch case with hidden lugs - seems to have been used by a wide variety of brands in the 70s. Some indicates the width to be 43 mm whereas others says 44 mm. I measure it to have these exact measures:
Width w/o crown: 43,7 mm
Width with crown: 46,5 mm
Length: 43,7 mm
Depth: 15,2 mm (depending on type of crystal - often domed)
Lugs: 19,3 mm

A reasonable theory is that the majority of these cases originates from the same manufacturer. This manufacturer has produced the entire watch (white label) or has just sold the cases - which then has been fitted with movement, dial and hands locally.
Supported by this source the main manufacturer could be Mortima. However normally all products from Mortima has the diver engraved on the back and only some of the watches below has this Mortima signature. If you want to know more about Mortima there is a bunch of info in these posts: History of Cattin & Cie, history of Mortima and large Mortima watches.

Please find below a collection of all the models with this case that I have come across while surfing. The list is sorted alphabetically.

In the end of this article there is more info about the ancestors of this cushion-shaped watch case-type that dates long back. I 1968 Heuer introduced the Camaro which I believe was an important inspiration for the watch case discussed here. It was then combined with elements from the super compressors - especially the internal rotating bezel - and some colorful dials that matches the style of the 1970s. Remove the lugs, which was also a trend at the time, and the "Mortima-style" was born ;-)
The Heuer Camaro introduced in 1968 must have been an inspiration for the "cushion-shaped-hidden-lugs-compressor-style" watch case that was popular in the 1970s. See examples below.

THREE CROWNS AND TWO INTERNAL BEZELS

Aurore Luxe Antichoc 17 Jewels
Source: eBay


Difor Antichoc
Source: eBay


Fresard Ancre 17 rubis Incabloc
Source: eBay


Grand Prix 21 Jewels Super De Luxe Datomatic
Source: eBay


James 25 rubis Datomatic


Jopel Antichoc
Source: eBay


JYB Antichoc

Lancia Incabloc Automatic
This is my specimen of the "Super Camaro"-family.


Le Royal 17 Rubis Unbreakable mainspring
Same dial layout as the Yearling - see later
Source


Le Royal 17 Rubis
Source: eBay


Lincoln Antichoc Ancre 17 Rubis
Source: eBay


Mortima 21 Jewels Super Datomatic Waterproof 100%
Source. Same model here.


Mortima 17 Jewels Super Datomatic Etanche 100%
Source. Same model here.


Mortima 17 Jewels Waterproof 100% Super Datomatic Unbreakable Spring Shockproof Antimagnetic
Different dial than thw two Mortima's above. Looks a bit like the Pirofa - see later.
This dial and these hands are common on other Mortima watches but not normally seen on this model. This is probably a frankenwatch.
Source: eBay


Moto 17R Monneret
Source


Orgadis 17 Rubis Datomatic

Orgadis Datomatic
Same as the Orgadis above but with blue chequered bezel.

Orgadis 17 Rubis Antichoc
Another Orgadis both with a different dial layout.


Pirofa Lorsa P 75A


Pirofa SHOCKproof
Note the small seconds. Movement FE233.
Source: eBay


Sihem Super Datomatic 17 Rubis


Splendy Super Datomatic Modele Reserve
Source: eBay


System Super Datomatic


System Super Datomatic Antimagnetic
Different dial layout compared to the one above
Source: eBay


Taunus Antichoc 17 Rubis
Three crowns. Two internal bezels. 


Veda Antichoc 17 Jewels
Source: eBay


Yearling 17 Rubis Antichoc Aqua 2000 Water-Resistant

Yearling 17 Rubis Antichoc


Yearling Mach 2 17 Rubis Antichoc
Source: eBay



THREE CROWNS - TWO INTERNAL BEZELS
BEZELS WITH DATE, DAY AND MONTH


Aurore
Source: eBay 


Avystyle Datomatic


Bessa Prestige Antichoc
Cover for outer bezel is missing here.
Source: eBay


Engo 19(?) Rubis Antichoc
Source: eBay


F.T. Leibundgut Besancon Super Datomatic Modele Reserve
Source: eBay


Horlostyle Antimagnetic Antichoc Unbreakable


Mortima Super Datomatic

Mortima 21 Jewels Super Datomatic Waterproof 100%
Movement: Cattin C66 (NBNB It's 17 jewels. The dials says 21 jewels. Somethings not right)
Probably same watch as above but with a different colour internal bezel


Yema TYL
Very interesting watch. Firstly - it is a french Yema - supposedely these watches branded TYL were made for export. Secondly - this watch seems to be missing the overlay over the bezel with the names of the months. See the watches above how it was supposed to be.



TWO CROWNS - ONE INTERNAL BEZEL - 
AND SOMETIMES WITH AN EXTRA EXTERNAL BEZEL
Note: On closer inspection the following watches with two crowns might actually have a slightly different watch case than the Super Camaro's above. 


Deauville 15 Rubis Water-Resistant Aqua 2000
Source: eBay


Esperanto Antimagnetic 17 Jewels Shockproof France 
Source: eBay


Mortima 17 Jewels SuperDatomatic Waterproof 100%


THE PREDECESSORS

One of the classic watch case styles known as a cushion:


This type of watch shape dates way back. This is a Rolex from from the 1930s. However the width was only 27 mm back then. Source.

The original Panerais had cushion watch cases.

And a Patek Philippe and a Longines from the 1930s.


And to round it off, a modern Panerai Radiomir PAM610 - very delicious:

http://www.hablemosderelojes.com/forum/showthread.php?67872-Los-gigantes-coloridos-de-los-a%F1os-70

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