Only Online Auction
Hong Kong, Mar 03, 2021
LOT 37
“Telda” by Charles Nicolet Watch Co.
Split-seconds chronograph, minute and hour counters; “Cal. Vénus 185 / Année 1945”; limited edition of 30 examples; 18K pink gold
HKD 52,000 - 69,000
CHF 6,000 - 8,000 / EUR 5,600 - 7,400 / USD 6,700 - 8,900
Sold: HKD 150,000
18K pink gold, manual-winding, round-shaped, large gentleman’s wristwatch, with sapphire-crystal snap-on case-back, large teardrop fluted lugs, silver colour dial with subsidiary seconds at 9 and four horological complications:
· 1/5 second chronograph (activated by the two rectangular-shaped push-pieces)
· Split-seconds (activated by the round push-piece located on the winding-crown)
· Half-instantaneous 30-minute counter (subsidiary dial at 3 o’clock)
· 12-hour counter (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 1 * |
|
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Brand Charles Nicolet Watch Co., Tramelan (Bernese Jura)
Model “Telda”, “Cal. Vénus 185 / Année 1945”
Year circa 1997
Movement No. unnumbered
Case No. unnumbered
Material 18K pink gold
Bracelet black leather strap
Buckle gilded brass buckle
Caliber 14’’’ (based on Vénus 185 by Berret & Schmitz, Moutier, Bernese Jura, from 1945)
Height 48.2 mm.
Width 37 mm.
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
The Vénus 185 calibre and “Telda”
The Vénus 185 calibre was launched in 1945 and 2 000 examples were produced in the 1940s and 1950s by Berret & Schmitz of Moutier in the Bernese Jura. This manufacture was absorbed by Valjoux (Reymond Frères, Les Bioux, Vallée de Joux) in the 1960s.
During the 1990s, a few examples are still available and acquired by various watchmakers.
The Charles Nicolet Watch Co. in Tramelan, in the Bernese Jura, obtains around 100 units and fits them, under the tradename “Telda”, into three series of large wristwatches (Ø 37 mm) in the retro look of the 1950s:
· 18K pink gold (limited and numbered edition of 30 pieces).
· 18K yellow gold (limited and numbered edition of 70 pieces).
· Stainless steel (quantity unknown).
Over the years this small manufacture created at the beginning of the 20th century has become, from a legal point of view, “Les Fils d’Armand Nicolet, Fabrique des Montres Telda Sàrl” (The Sons of Armand Nicolet, Watch Manufacture Telda Ltd.)
The same company will use the Vénus 184 calibre (launched in 1941), chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, triple date and moon phases, to produce another series of large wristwatches (Ø 40 mm):
· Silver, gold-plated (limited and numbered edition of 130 pieces).
At the same time, brands such as Parmiginani, Fleurier (Val-de-Travers) and Panerai, Florence (Italy), used the Vénus 185 calibre.