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WATCH
JUVENIA
ART DECO
CA. 1940
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Unique on the market. A very atypical watch by Juvenia.
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This example, probably dating from the 1930s-1940s, is simply exotic. Its art-deco case is very elaborate, with a beautiful relief underlined by arabesques and a curved glass to coordinate the whole. A truly unusual feature that accentuates the rarity of this timepiece: the winding crown is located at 6 o'clock. An eccentricity.
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The glossy black lacquer dial, with its faint "Juvenia" and "Fab Suisse" lettering, is highlighted by gilded hour-markers and hands. At the time, the "Fab Suisse" label was mandatory for the French market. In fact, in order to be authorized to import watches into France, many Swiss watchmakers had to add this precision or others such as "importé de..." on the dial to explicitly mention the Swiss origin.
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According to a 1936 extract from French customs: "Exporters are reminded of the decisions taken by the French customs administration concerning the application of the corrective indication of origin for watchmaking products.
The "fab. suisse" patch should be affixed, whenever space permits, as close as possible to the mark itself, next to or immediately above or below it. Only small parts, where a lack of space prevents the patch from being affixed in accordance with the above decisions, will be allowed to bear it below 6 o'clock.
In order to avoid difficulties and see parcels turned back, exporters are asked to comply with the above instructions.
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The case is gold-plated, with a stainless steel caseback. The watch is powered by a Swiss-made Juvenia 17-jewel mechanical movement. The case and crystal are in good condition for the age of the watch, but the dial has a few imperfections on closer inspection and in the close-up photos, notably the inscriptions which have almost disappeared with time and light, but which in no way detract from the overall beauty of this piece. Charm and imperfections of age. A rare item.
