Dubey& Schaldenbrand. A Unique 18k Pink Gold Wristwatch
Model: Aerodyn Vintage D.275, Hors Serie
Movement Circa 1938, Case and Dial Circa 2000
Venus mechanical movement, 15 jewels, black gloss dial, baton numerals with luminous Arabic 3, 9, and 12, luminous hands, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds, 18k pink gold tonneau-shaped case, sapphire crystal display back secured by seven screws, case, dial, and movement signed
Limited edition XX/25
44mm x 33mm
SOLD
Dubey & Schaldenbrand was founded in 1946 by Swiss watchmaker Georges Dubey and watch industry insider Rene Schaldenbrand. The brand is best known for the creation of the “index mobile”, a simple solution for modifying a movement for split-second timing, which was a complex horological dilemma. The brand declined in the 1980’s, although they continued to produce mechanical watches. In 1995, the brand was revived with the help of Cinette Robert. Robert is known in the watch industry for touring various manufactures in the 1970’s and 1980’s and purchasing watch movements and components (during the height of the quartz crisis when such movements were not used) and later supplying these movements and components to brands making a comeback.
The Dubey & Schaldenbrand movements were recased according to the era from when they were originally produced, and soon became popular with collectors. One such model is the Limited Edition Aerodyn. Mrs. Robert had purchased 100 hand-engraved tonneau-shaped Venus movements that had been produced in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, 90 of which were able to be used. 60 of these movements were cased in steel – 30 featured a black dial and 30 with silver guilloche. The remaining 30 movements were cased in 18k pink gold, 15 with a black dial and 15 with silver guilloche.
The Aerodyn model was sold out soon after its launch, and today are sought after for being a true limited edition watch. All watch collectors appreciate vintage watches for their ability to function decades later, just as well as they had when they were first produced. The Aerodyn model combines the best of vintage and modern with a highly decorated vintage movement and a modern case and dial. It is an opportunity to acquire a piece within an extremely limited series.