Tissot 15TL

Tissot 15TL Rose Gold Chronograph - Black 'Gilt' Multi-Scale' Dial

Tissot has a long and rich history in watchmaking with the first half of the 20th century widely regarded as their golden age. We're not ones to disagree, and how could we when pieces like this exist. What we have here is a 15TL chronograph from circa the 1940s. Considered an 'oversize' or 'jumbo' model in its day, this piece comes in at approximately 37mm in diameter and is constructed out of solid rose gold. Good start, but it gets better. Inside the case is a glossy black 'gilt' dial, with two subsidiary registers with 'radial' finishing, applied rose golf 'foil' indices in an Arabic font, both tachymeter and telemeter scales, and a matching rose gold-tone 'pencil' handset. The case has been previously polished, but remains thick and symmetrical throughout, and shows light signs of wear. The dial within is also in matching excellent condition. Beautifully preserved, it shows only light surface wear with no apparent fracturing or damage, clearly visible text, and defined radial finishing within the subsidiary registers. The matching rose gold-tone 'pencil' handset also matches nicely, exhibiting only light surface oxidation. Best of all, the movement powering this piece is the venerable and highly desirable Tissot Calibre 33.3 produced in collaboration with Tissot's parent company, Omega. This movement is widely regarded as the predecessor to what is perhaps the most iconic manually-wound chronograph movement of all time: Omegas Calibre .321. This then, is the kind of piece that really excited us. Manually-wound, objectively rare, historically significant, and in excellent overall condition... ... and we're confident we're not the only ones who feel this way. Movement: Manual-winding Calibre 33.3 by Tissot. Bracelet/Strap: Pictured JPM X Oliver & Clarke branded Cervo tan leather strap with rose gold-tone buckle.