An incredibly rare and striking Ernest Borel dress watch, executed in substantial 18ct yellow gold and centred around a beautiful black stone dial, believed to be onyx.
The dial is exceptional. Completely devoid of hour markers, it has an almost architectural simplicity, with only the Ernest Borel signature, SWISS designation and a pair of beautifully shaped gold hands interrupting the deep black surface. The result is wonderfully minimalist and distinctly reminiscent of the precious-metal stone-dial watches produced by houses such as Piaget during the same era.
The substantial rectangular case is crafted in solid 18ct yellow gold and measures approximately 28mm across excluding the crown. This was a gentleman’s dress-watch size when produced, while its proportions and design make it equally wearable as a unisex watch today. The broad, rounded gold case gives the watch considerable presence, with lovely definition remaining throughout.
The crown is particularly attractive, finished with a black cabochon which perfectly complements the dial.
The watch is manually wound, allowing the case to retain the slim, elegant profile that defines this style of dress watch.
Another particularly unusual feature is the matching solid 18ct gold Synchron buckle, clearly stamped 0.750. Synchron was the Swiss watchmaking group with which Ernest Borel became associated during the 1970s, making this a particularly appropriate period fitting rather than simply a generic gold buckle.
There is a substantial amount of precious metal here too, with the 18ct gold components alone weighing approximately 22.49g.
The watch is currently fitted to a black leather strap which suits the design beautifully, although the strap itself shows considerable wear from age. Importantly, the valuable original-style 18ct Synchron buckle remains with the watch.
A genuinely fascinating vintage Swiss dress watch. The combination of a believed-onyx black dial, heavy 18ct yellow-gold case, black cabochon crown, matching 18ct Synchron buckle and stark two-hand design makes this an exceptionally unusual Ernest Borel and a superb piece of period design.
An incredibly rare and striking Ernest Borel dress watch, executed in substantial 18ct yellow gold and centred around a beautiful black stone dial, believed to be onyx.
The dial is exceptional. Completely devoid of hour markers, it has an almost architectural simplicity, with only the Ernest Borel signature, SWISS designation and a pair of beautifully shaped gold hands interrupting the deep black surface. The result is wonderfully minimalist and distinctly reminiscent of the precious-metal stone-dial watches produced by houses such as Piaget during the same era.
The substantial rectangular case is crafted in solid 18ct yellow gold and measures approximately 28mm across excluding the crown. This was a gentleman’s dress-watch size when produced, while its proportions and design make it equally wearable as a unisex watch today. The broad, rounded gold case gives the watch considerable presence, with lovely definition remaining throughout.
The crown is particularly attractive, finished with a black cabochon which perfectly complements the dial.
The watch is manually wound, allowing the case to retain the slim, elegant profile that defines this style of dress watch.
Another particularly unusual feature is the matching solid 18ct gold Synchron buckle, clearly stamped 0.750. Synchron was the Swiss watchmaking group with which Ernest Borel became associated during the 1970s, making this a particularly appropriate period fitting rather than simply a generic gold buckle.
There is a substantial amount of precious metal here too, with the 18ct gold components alone weighing approximately 22.49g.
The watch is currently fitted to a black leather strap which suits the design beautifully, although the strap itself shows considerable wear from age. Importantly, the valuable original-style 18ct Synchron buckle remains with the watch.
A genuinely fascinating vintage Swiss dress watch. The combination of a believed-onyx black dial, heavy 18ct yellow-gold case, black cabochon crown, matching 18ct Synchron buckle and stark two-hand design makes this an exceptionally unusual Ernest Borel and a superb piece of period design.
