Key Features
This gorgeous Avelta digi-mech from the 70’s is in such good condition even we here at the workshop are coveting it! The sturdy 42mm case body has been re-plated with a 2 micron thick layer of gold and mirror polished by expert jewellers, giving it a lustre that pictures cannot do justice. Below the extra thick acrylic crystal is a nifty three-disc timekeeping set up: rotating wheels for hours, minutes, and the lesser encountered running seconds. The dial appears to have a ‘tiger’s eye’ gemstone effect, something we’ve never seen before! Powering the watch is a beefy PUW 1560D automatic movement from Germany, which boasts a 40hr power reserve and 25 jewels. This is not one to be missed.
Digi-mechs are far from the sort of watch that you’re used to seeing, this piece comes from the 70’s ‘electronic/digital’ era, when classical mechanical brands were competing with electronic watches and developing these kind of mechanical timepieces with digital display complications. Fun fact – 99% of those advanced electronic digital watches are now dead and non-repairable, due to the degradation of the integrated electronic components. However, the horological digi-mech creations are still alive and running, and with regular servicing will continue to do so for 100+ years.
NOTE: It is strictly recommended that you do not move the hour discs backwards, and only move them forwards to avoid any maladjustment of the jump-hour springs.
About Avelta
Mr Édouard Chemla created the Avelta brand in the 1960’s at 6 rue de Maréchal Fayolle in Marseille. The history of the brand seems to have become lost in time, although their beautiful watches still remain. All the components have been French-made, and the quality in many aspects is usually better than Swiss products of the same grade level.
Overview
Case and Strap
- Case body newly replated with 2 micron thick layer of gold.
- Stainless steel screw-down caseback.
- Thick acrylic crystal.
- New 26mm black leather strap.
- Dustproof/weatherproof.
Dimensions:
- Width w/ crown 42 mm.
- Full height 42 mm.
- Thickness 12.5 mm.
- Strap width 26 mm.
Dial and Hands
- Digi-mech style dial with Tiger’s eye chayotant dial.
- Three discs for hours, minutes, and running seconds with Arabic numerals.
- Signed ‘Avelta, Digital, Automatic’ on right hand side of dial.
Movement
- German-made movement.
- PUW 1560D calibre.
- 25 jewels.
- Automatic.
- 40hr power reserve.
Testing Results
- Testing duration: 2 week cyclic test
- Average timekeeping range: 15-30 sec/day
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- 12-month guarantee.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
