A wonderful mid-century Swiss mechanical alarm watch, this Mercury combines a classic dress-watch design with one of the more charming complications of the mechanical era. The clean silvered dial features applied gold-tone markers, a fine inner alarm scale, and a dedicated alarm hand, while the two crowns give the watch its unmistakable alarm-watch profile.
Measuring 33.7mm across with a 41.4mm lug-to-lug and just 11.3mm thick, it wears neatly on the wrist while still offering plenty of character. The gold-tone case has elegant drilled lugs and is paired here with a striking blue textured leather strap.
Inside is a Swiss 17-jewel mechanical alarm movement with Incabloc shock protection. The independent alarm system is wound and operated through the second crown, with the dedicated alarm hand allowing the wearer to select the desired alarm time. When activated, a small internal hammer strikes the case to produce the characteristic buzzing sound associated with vintage mechanical alarms.
Mercury was one of many mid-century Swiss names used for export-market watches, and examples such as this reflect the period's fascination with bringing useful complications into affordable, wearable timepieces.
A fantastic little piece of mid-century horological history, combining understated dress-watch styling with the wonderfully eccentric appeal of a mechanical alarm.
A wonderful mid-century Swiss mechanical alarm watch, this Mercury combines a classic dress-watch design with one of the more charming complications of the mechanical era. The clean silvered dial features applied gold-tone markers, a fine inner alarm scale, and a dedicated alarm hand, while the two crowns give the watch its unmistakable alarm-watch profile.
Measuring 33.7mm across with a 41.4mm lug-to-lug and just 11.3mm thick, it wears neatly on the wrist while still offering plenty of character. The gold-tone case has elegant drilled lugs and is paired here with a striking blue textured leather strap.
Inside is a Swiss 17-jewel mechanical alarm movement with Incabloc shock protection. The independent alarm system is wound and operated through the second crown, with the dedicated alarm hand allowing the wearer to select the desired alarm time. When activated, a small internal hammer strikes the case to produce the characteristic buzzing sound associated with vintage mechanical alarms.
Mercury was one of many mid-century Swiss names used for export-market watches, and examples such as this reflect the period's fascination with bringing useful complications into affordable, wearable timepieces.
A fantastic little piece of mid-century horological history, combining understated dress-watch styling with the wonderfully eccentric appeal of a mechanical alarm.