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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronometer wristwatch

Bifora Unima Chronometer wristwatch, reference 4499

Partially verified

According to the seller, this vintage German chronometer wristwatch by Bifora, reference 4499, dates from the late 1950s. The 35 mm stainless steel round case houses a manual-winding Bifora calibre B 72 movement recorded with number 6677, incorporating 18 jewels, Incabloc shock protection, and a hacking mechanism. The dial displays age-related patina and spotting, fitted with applied gilt batten markers, luminous accent dots, a perimeter seconds/minute track, and luminous hands. The dial is signed 'BIFORA unima' and 'CHRONOMETER 18 JEWELS INCABLOC'. Case back markings recorded by the source specify stainless steel construction, water resistance, shock protection, and antimagnetic properties.

Front view of the Bifora Unima chronometer wristwatch dial and case
Front view of the Bifora Unima chronometer wristwatch dial and case — Second Hand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronometer wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Bifora
Reference
4499
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-0613
Source-reported date
late 1950s
Country
Germany
Source-reported serial
6677

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Architecture and Reported Markings

The watch is cased in a round stainless steel case. According to the seller's measurements, it measures 35 mm in diameter (37.6 mm including the crown), 42.7 mm lug to lug, 10 mm in case thickness, and 18 mm between the lugs.

The reverse of the case is not visible in the provided image. The listing reports the case markings as "Chronometre 4499 All Stainless Steel Waterresistant Shockprotected Antimagnetic". While the seller states the watch comes on a new-old-stock light brown alligator two-piece leather strap, visible inspection shows a dark brown embossed leather strap fitted to traditional lugs.

Evidence for this section
  • “cased in a 35mm all stainless-steel round case”
  • “Case Markings: Chronometre 4499 All Stainless Steel Waterresistant Shockprotected Antimagnetic”
  • “Measurements (mm): Case Diameter 35 Case Diameter w/Crown 37.6 Case Lug to Lug 42.7 Case Thickness 10 Lug Width 18 Band Width 18”
  • “Dark brown embossed leather strap fitted to traditional lugs.”

Dial Configuration and Visual Condition

Visual inspection shows patina, surface spotting, and minor discoloration across the light dial surface. Applied gilt batten hour markers accent the perimeter, arranged with paired bars at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.

The dial features a central sweep seconds hand, luminous-filled hour and minute hands, and an outer black track calibration with luminous accent dots. The seller notes the dial is signed with the Bifora name/logo and "Unima Chronometer 18 Jewels Incabloc".

Evidence for this section
  • “Patina, surface spotting, and minor discoloration across the light dial.”
  • “Applied gilt batten hour markers with paired bars at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.”
  • “Central sweep seconds hand, luminous-filled hour and minute hands, and outer track calibration.”
  • “The dial is also signed with the Bifora name/logo and Unima Chronometer 18 Jewels Incabloc.”

Reported Movement and Technical Scope

The movement is not visible in the provided image and its details are recorded solely from the seller's listing. The source states the movement is a manual-winding German Bifora calibre B 72, numbered 6677, equipped with 18 jewels, Incabloc shock protection, and a hack mechanism.

The listing quotes reference material by Fritz von Osterhausen noting that Bifora certified an estimated total of a bit over 1,000 watches through the Baden-Württemberg Watch Testing Agency between 1955 and 1967. Individual testing paperwork or certificates for movement 6677 are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “German Bifora movement caliber B 72, 18 jewels, incabloc, hack mechanism”
  • “Movement: 6677 B 72”
  • “Bifora, the brand used for watches produced by the J. Bidlingmaier firm, appears to have certified perhaps an average of 100 watches per year, or a bit over 1,000 in total.”

Open research questions

  • Does direct physical inspection of movement 6677 confirm calibre B 72 markings and specific chronometer-grade adjustments?
  • Do testing agency records from the Baden-Württemberg Watch Testing Agency survive for Bifora serial number 6677?
  • What specific layout and engraving method are used on the exterior and interior of the reference 4499 case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bifora Unima Chronometer wristwatch, reference 4499
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference4499“reference 4499 and dated from the late 1950s”
Movement calibreB 72“German Bifora movement caliber B 72, 18 jewels, incabloc, hack mechanism”
Movement number6677“Movement: 6677 B 72”
Case diameter35 mm“cased in a 35mm all stainless-steel round case”
Case markingsChronometre 4499 All Stainless Steel Waterresistant Shockprotected Antimagnetic“Case Markings: Chronometre 4499 All Stainless Steel Waterresistant Shockprotected Antimagnetic”
Case diameter with crown37.6 mm“Case Diameter w/Crown 37.6”
Lug-to-lug measurement42.7 mm“Case Lug to Lug 42.7”
Case thickness10 mm“Case Thickness 10”

Visible details

  • Patina, surface spotting, and minor discoloration across the light dial.
  • Applied gilt batten hour markers with paired bars at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.
  • Central sweep seconds hand, luminous-filled hour and minute hands, and outer track calibration.
  • Dark brown embossed leather strap fitted to traditional lugs.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back markings are reported by the source but not visible in the provided photograph.
  • The source describes the strap as a light brown alligator strap, but it appears dark brown in the photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

BIFORA Unima Chronometer Wristwatch 18 Jewels Hack Mechanism Vintage W – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c810cbecf1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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