Description
Printed card covers, 40 pages, illustrated throughout. Étabs SARDA a Besançon, Doubs, France. Dated 1930. Complete with a blank Order Form.
An extensive catalogue that provides a good overview of their wristwatches (17 pages) and pocket watches (18 pages) then being made in this part of France. Many models of wristwatch are shown, including an 8-day model, some interesting chronographs and many mens and ladies models. The pocket watches mostly with decoratively cast, engine-turned and and engraved cases. There is also a section on pocket watches sold with either a 1st or 2nd Class Certificate (Chronomètres de Haute Précision) issued by Besançon Observatory, these watches bearing a special Poinçon (stamp) – a gold cased watch with a 1st Class certificate is priced at 3,300 Francs, at least 10x times the price of their ordinary watches.
Sarda ‘Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Precision,’ with their factory at Besançon close to the border with Switzerland. This area was the largest French manufacturer of watches, their output being quite distinct from the earlier work coming out of Paris, and strongly influenced by Swiss work. Many of the firms are now little known and hardly any research has been done on them as far as I am aware.
Covers with shelf wear and departing from the main text at the rusty staples. Otherwise in good, little used condition.
