Don't miss the next drop
While the world of vintage collecting often gravitates toward oversized tool watches, we have a deep and abiding love for the often-overlooked world of ladies’ timepieces. In our opinion, this is where some of the most daring, creative, and beautiful designs of the mid-20th century can be found. These weren’t just scaled-down men’s watches; they were distinct objects of art, and this beautiful Certina is a perfect case in point.
In the 1940s and 50s, a lady’s watch was an essential accessory, a piece of jewelry that also happened to tell the time. Brands like Certina, known for their robust and high-quality Swiss watchmaking, poured immense creativity into this category. They produced elegant, reliable timepieces that were powered by durable in-house movements, like the Caliber 19-10 ticking away inside this piece. A feature such as a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial, as seen here, was a clear signifier of a quality mechanical movement, a mark of a true timepiece rather than a simple bracelet.
This particular Certina, a Reference 41101, is a fantastic piece of mid-century architectural design. The first thing you’ll notice is the stunning stainless steel case. The prominent, stylized “hooded” or “scalloped” lugs are wonderfully sculptural, flowing around the wrist and giving the watch a presence far greater than its diminutive size would suggest. It’s a bold and confident piece of design that feels as modern today as it did more than 70 years ago.
The dial has aged to a gorgeous, warm ivory color, with an even, speckled patina that gives it immense character. It features a charming and legible combination of printed Arabic numerals and applied, faceted dart markers. The delicate, gilt leaf-style hands and the classic subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock complete the elegant and perfectly balanced look. It comes paired on a beautiful and period-correct mesh bracelet that perfectly complements its sophisticated aesthetic.
