Record Datofix Moonphase Cal.106 c1959

Record

The year was 1903 when the Record Watch company was founded. The goal is to build a triangular pocket watch with a retrograde display.  In 1961, Record was bought by Longines through a share purchase . Record as a brand name continued to exist and can be found on some watches as  Longines Record. Record calibers were also further manufactured as Longines calibers.

Description

The Datofix Watch features a unique date-fixing mechanism that sets it apart from conventional timepieces. With unparalleled accuracy, this innovative watch ensures that the date is flawlessly displayed, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. The watch’s Swiss-made movement guarantees impeccable performance, delivering precise timekeeping that is a testament to its high-quality craftsmanship.

Here we have a simply outstanding Record Datofix Moonphase in fully original, unrestored and untouched condition. This watch carries a mixed stainless steel case with yellow gold buckle and lugs. Along with the incredible dial and case this houses the super high grade calibre 106 hand-wound movement. In the 1950s, Record was one of the few independent watch manufacturers to have developed their own in-house movement calibre, with the combined complications of day/date/month/moon indication.

The Dial

The dial is beautifully original, and in terms of condition, it is one of the very best we have seen on this model. In terms of design, it is beautifully symmetrical and well-balanced and proportioned. The dial itself, in silver, contrasts wonderfully with the mixed steel and yellow gold case and original black ‘index’ hands and facetted ‘baton’ hour indices. This watch also carries the Moonphase at the very top of the dial.

The dial may initially look quite complicated, but this is because it conveys a great deal of information. In actual fact, it successfully conveys a lot of information in a very simple manner once you become familiar with the layout.

In addition to the moon phase, the dial carries the classic triple date design, to which most of the top watch houses adhere. We are great admirers of this dial design as it is symmetrical, neat and attractive, yet it manages to convey so much!

This wonderful watch carries 4 dials, the outer edge of the dial simply indicates the date of the month from 1 – 31. The dial you see at 3, indicates the months of year and the dial at 9 indicates the days of the week, the dial is completed with a subsidiary seconds dial at 6.

This dial is correctly signed with ‘Record Geneve’ at the top of the dial, ‘Datofix’ around the top of the subsidiary seconds hand and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6.

As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The Original Record calibre 106, 15 Jewel hand-wound movement is of exceptional quality and is original to this watch. The watch movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our watchmaker who reports it to be in excellent condition and we are therefore happy to offer this watch with our 12 months warranty*.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by our watchmaker. This means it has been fully dismantled to all its component parts, before ultrasonic cleaning, microscope inspection and replacement of parts with new originals where required. Then careful reassembly and oiling ready for final testing and calibration. The watch is now running perfectly having been calibrated and timed at +10 seconds per day, which is truly outstanding for any watch of this age. It is therefore ready for many more years of reliable service.

These movements are very accurate and very reliable, making it completely practical and appropriate for regular everyday use. Our watchmaker has indicated this particular movement is in top condition and with regular servicing every 2 to 3 years, we would fully expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come! We are therefore very pleased to offer a 12-month warranty on this watch movement* and servicing in the future, as required.

This wonderful movement is correctly signed with ‘Record W.Co Geneve’, ’Swiss Made’ and ’15 Jewels’ along with the calibre 106.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

The Case

The three-piece mixed stainless steel case and solid 18ct yellow gold bezel and lugs measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown.

The case, as we would expect from Record, is very solid and well made and the press-fit case-back closes with a very solid and satisfying ‘pop’, indicating the case has been impeccably built and maintained. It is of full-thickness and has never been engraved.

Having been cleaned, carefully examined and lightly hand-polished by our case-maker, the case is totally incredible, being very crisp with no scratches, dings or other blemishes visible to the naked eye. This, along with the superb general condition of the rest of the watch, indicates this watch has received an excellent level of care and only light use.

Inside the case back is correctly signed with ‘Record Watch Co’, ‘Fab Suisse’, ‘Swiss Made’ along with the case serial number 586820. The exterior of the case back is correctly signed with 257.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality black crocodile embossed strap and a plain stainless steel buckle has been fitted, which we feel matches the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but we can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to c1959.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

A high quality hardwood presentation box is included in the sale of this watch.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

A unique example of a fascinating timepiece which will undoubtedly make an excellent financial investment, as well as be something wonderful to wear, treasure and enjoy! It could make a practical watch for regular or occasional use, as you wish and if it continues to be well cared for and regularly serviced, it will provide dependable service for many decades to come.