2.1285 AVIA ‘BIG DATE DE LUXE’ RARE, SWISS 1960s

A very unusual mid-century Avia with one of rarest complications you can find in a vintage watch: a big date. At first glance it reads as a classic Swiss dress watch, but the oversized two-disc date display at 12 immediately gives it a completely different personality. It belongs to a small, overlooked family of vintage big-date watches powered by the Venus 220/221 calibre family. These movements are genuinely scarce, and that examples like this do not surface often.

The chrome-plated case shows visible wear, which is entirely expected on these watches and honest to the period, while the stainless steel caseback provides better long-term durability where it matters most.

Specifications

• Brand: Avia
• Model: “Big Date De Luxe”
• Year: 1960s
• Movement: Venus calibre 220/221, manual winding, 17 jewels
• Case: Chrome-plated case
• Caseback: Stainless steel caseback
• Dial: Silvered / light cream tone
• Indices: Applied Arabic numerals and faceted markers
• Hands: Faceted hands with central seconds, red arrow tip on seconds hand
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, big date
• Strap: High-quality leather strap

Date setting

• The date advances from hand motion
• To correct the date, use the corrector pusher
• The pusher should be used when the hands are set in the 3 to 9 position

Servicing and Warranty

• Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop
• Mechanics in full working order
• 12-month movement warranty
• Warranty Terms and Conditions
• No water resistance warranty