Vintage Leonidas 8 jours black clock.

Description

Vintage Leonidas 8 jours black clock. Condition is Used.
Black patinated metal, 8-day, manually wound bezel, automobile dashboard clock with 24 hour dial, made by Leonidas Watch Factory, St. Imier/Bienne, Switzerland circa 1935-1940.
Case: Black patinated metal case measuring 75mm square by 25mm in depth holds an 18/19 lignes movement. This is a dashboard watch/clock for use in automobiles and the Bakelite casing has a flange at the back of the case with three screw holes for mounting on the automobile dashboard. The knob placed on the left side of the bezel @9 is for setting the correct time while the bezel has a knurled/reeded edge so that it may easily be gripped for turning, i.e. winding this clock required manually rotating the bezel. A black metal plate shields the movement in the back of the case. . . Dial: Black dial with luminous upright Arabic hours, closed minute track to the outside and white painted second hour chapter (13-24) to the inside, subsidiary seconds dial @6, luminous skeleton hands and the dial marked, "Leonidas, 8 Jours, Swiss Made''. . . Movement: Only the outer covering is shown but most likely the movement is 18 or 19''' size, rhodium-plated, 17+/- jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator. Condition: The case is in very good condition with expected wear at the screw holes on the flange. The back circular plate over the movement appears to have a small area where is shows wear at the edge. The dial is in good condition and still quite legible with patina on the radium covered surfaces. The movement is assume original, genuine and functional. this a dashboard clock that is not often seen on the market.
LEONIDAS WATCH COMPANY : - Originally developed from the Swiss firm of Jeanneret-Droz of St. Imier, Switzerland in 1841, The company registered the name Leonidas in 1902/03. 1912 saw the name Leonidas Watch Factory first used. In 1915 they began to manufacture chronographs and sports counters, along with precision watches. By 1925 they were making watches for automobiles, airplanes, and various timers. They always received high ratings at Swiss competitions over the first half of the 20th century. In 1974 they combined their business with that of the Heuer company.