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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · World time wristwatch

Chs. Tissot & Fils World Time Wristwatch

Partially verified

This World Time wristwatch by Chs. Tissot & Fils, identified by reference 4002-1, is dated to the 1950s. The watch features an 18K pink gold, two-body, polished case measuring 36 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness, with straight lugs and a snap-on back. The inclined bezel is marked with painted Arabic numerals and triangular indexes for a 12-hour display. The two-tone dial includes applied gold dart indexes, a 24-hour track, and a central revolving disc listing 24 global cities. The movement is a self-winding Caliber 28.5 N 21 T, characterized by a copper-colored finish, 17 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, and a bumper rotor. Functionally, the hour hand completes a rotation every 12 hours against the bezel, while the rotating city disc completes a rotation every 24 hours. The dial, case, and movement are signed by the manufacturer.

Front view of the Chs. Tissot & Fils World Time wristwatch showing the revolving city disc and bezel.
Front view of the Chs. Tissot & Fils World Time wristwatch showing the revolving city disc and bezel. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · World time wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Chs. Tissot & Fils
Reference
4002-1
Catalogue / lot identifier
213
Source-reported date
1950s
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
2799575 (movement), 4041675 (case)

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 and Dial

The timepiece is housed in an 18K pink gold, two-body case that is polished and features straight lugs. The back is a snap-on type. An inclined bezel is fixed to the case, displaying painted Arabic numerals and triangular indexes, which are utilized for the 12-hour time reading.

The dial is a two-tone design containing applied gold dart indexes and an internal 24-hour track. A central revolving disc features the names of 24 international cities in blue, with a specific red mark positioned between Auckland and Midway to indicate the date line. The hands are fashioned from blued steel and are luminous.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Two-body, solid, polished, snap-on case back, inclined bezel with painted Arabic numerals and triangular indexes in 12 hours, straight lugs.”
  • “D. Two-tone with applied gold dart indexes and Arabic numerals in 24 hours, at the center, white revolving dial bearing the names of 24 towns in the world in blue, the red mark between Auckland and Midway indicates the date line.”

Movement and Function

The watch is powered by the Caliber 28.5 N 21 T, a copper-colored, self-winding movement featuring 17 jewels. It is equipped with a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance, a shock-absorber, and a self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Winding is facilitated by a bumper rotor mechanism.

Operational mechanics involve the hour hand performing one full rotation every 12 hours, allowing the user to read the time against the bezel graduations. Simultaneously, the inner disc, which displays the names of 24 cities, completes one rotation every 24 hours to track local times.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. 28.5 N 21 T, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, bumper rotor.”
  • “The hour hand turns once every 12 hours, time is read on the bezel graduation. The inner disc with the names of 24 cities turns once every 24 hours, with the 24-hour dial showing local times.”

Condition and Attribution

The watch is signed on the dial, case, and movement. According to the auction documentation, the overall condition of the object is assigned a grade of A.

Specific components were assessed by the auction house as follows: the case is graded 3, the movement is graded 3*, and the dial is graded 3-01.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”
  • “Grading System Grade: A”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific country of manufacture for this reference?
  • Are there variations of this model with different city sets on the central disc?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Chs. Tissot & Fils World Time Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerChs. Tissot & Fils“Chs. Tissot & Fils”
Reference4002-1“Ref. 4002-1”
Case material18K pink gold“18K pink gold wristwatch”
Movement caliberCal. 28.5 N 21 T“Cal. 28.5 N 21 T”
Case diameter36 mm“Diam. 36 mm”
Date1950s“Made in the 1950s”

Visible details

  • Inclined bezel features painted Arabic numerals
  • Central white disc lists 24 world cities
  • Red mark on the dial indicates the date line
  • Includes a textured brown leather strap

Research qualifications

  • Auction house recommends an overhaul at buyer's expense
  • Specific country of origin is not explicitly stated in source

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

Consulted source

World Time Chs. Tissot & Fils, "World Time", movement No. 2799575, case No. 4041675, Ref. 4002-1. Made in the 1950s. Fine "World Time", center-seconds, self-winding, waterresistant, 18K pink gold wristwatch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 231a752a66

Terms in this record

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

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