Unless you are a Batman fan, the name Gotham probably doesn’t conjure up a lot of associations to highly collectible vintage watches. We are hard pressed to recall ever owning a Gotham watch before, but even more challenged to find another example as special as the one offered here. We understand that Gotham was a brand within the Ollendorf family of watches, some with Swiss movements cased in the U.S., and others as here, imported whole from Switzerland. The current example is truly a standout vintage chronograph with mint condition unpolished fully signed screw back case, round pushers, 3 register, manual wind Valjoux 72 movement, and stunning original 2 tone dial with Breguet figures and blued steel hands. All this, and great looking and in mint condition!

A fabulous looking stainless steel manual wind 3 register chronograph triple signed Gotham, circa late 1950’s. Featuring a 34 x 42mm stainless steel mint condition and unpolished case with screw down case back, faceted elbow shaped lugs, and round pushers. With stunning condition 2 tone silver dial with black printed Breguet figures outer telemeter scale and inner spiral tachometer scale. Powered by classic Valjoux 72 manual wind movement with 3 registers for constant seconds, 30 minutes, and 12 hours. The movement is in pristine condition (see photos) and rests safely behind a full dust cover to protect the movement from dust and moisture. The movement has just been fully serviced by one of our veteran watchmakers. We see only one prior watchmaker’s repair mark on the case.

The case, dial, and movement are all signed Gotham. The dial reads Gotham “Gothameter” and Incabloc and Antimagnetic. The case back bears a deeply die struck GOTHAM surrounded by Gothameter SWISS, surrounded by Antimagnetic, Waterproof, Shockabsorber. The inside case back is signed Gotham Watch Co Inc SWISS and with the Gotham logo “Since 1868!” One further manufacturing detail, the movement # is 361310 and the case # is the next number sequentially 361311.

One further detail which speaks to the unique and high quality of this watch is something we don’t ever recall seeing before. The watch features 3 different types of blued steel chronograph hands! The 30 minute register hand is the leaf style, as are the hour and minute, while the constant seconds hand is in the “gothic” style, while the 12 hour hand is the most distinctive being the snake like “serpentine” hand! All original and quite a testament to the attention to detail in every respect of this watch.

Truly a terrific looking and high quality treasure from a practically unknown brand. Though 34mm in diameter, the extended elbow lugs, beefy case design (reminiscent of the Spillman cases,) and oversized pushers give the watch strong wrist presence. Offered with your choice of sporty or dressy leather or exotic skin strap. Recently serviced by one of our veteran watchmakers and offered with our 1 year warranty of accurate timekeeping and reliability. Accompanying your purchase is one of our signature Italian leather watch travel pouches, a $65 value!