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Svend Andersen Communication World Time Watch
Here is a Svend Andersen (AHCI member) watch that may be of some interest to readers here. I've always liked the way Svend Andersen works.....he starts with proven high caliber movements and does something different or unique to them. Such as this watch. It was originally billed as the thinnest automatic world time watch in existance when it was introduced in 1989. I don't know if it still is but I can't think of a thinner one at the moment.
The Communication is a world time watch in the classic sense in terms of execution and probably just as importantly, in size. This marvel is only 32mm in diameter and only 6.7mm in total thickness. It is also classic in that it has a solid back. This watch is very discrete when worn under a dress shirt. It is very thin and with its small diameter is hardly noticed.
It is certainly reminiscent in design and size of the famous Patek Philippe world time watches especially Ref. 1425 from the early 40's with its tear dropped shaped lugs and brushed bezel with engraved cities.
The case is 18kt yellow gold (50g) with pressure back. The bezel is brushed and is friction set to the required city where the wearer is located. The inner 24 hour bezel rotates at a 2:1 ratio, i.e. it makes one revolution counter clockwise in 24 hours.
The cities are microengraved (not printed) on the bezel. I was amused to find what appears to be at least two mispellings on the bezel.....'Ancorage' and 'Sidney'. I thought perhaps they were an odd Danish spelling due to Svend Andersen's background but have never been able to confirm that. I've certainly never seen these cities spelled that way.
The dial is interesting as it appears to be some sort of blue enamel with what looks like gold dust applied in the map of the world. It is not cloisonne and almost appears to be applied from the back of a clear dial. Very interesting and striking. Hour markers are small applied dots. Hands are classic dauphine style. (See accompanying post for a large scan of the front of the watch where details can be well seen).
Now for the movement:
The base is a Frederic Piguet Cal 9.51 which is 20.4mm in diameter (9''') and 3.25mm thick. It has 19 jewels, a monometallic balance and beats at 21,600 vph. Svend Andersen adds his own world time module which only adds 0.9mm to the thickness. So the whole package is very thin at 6.7mm including case, dial, and flat sapphire crystal.
I really enjoy this watch although I probably don't wear it as much as I should. You get used to the big watches today and a smaller watch seems too small sometimes even though in the past this was a pretty normal size for a wristwatch.
Hope you enjoyed the tour of the Svend Andersen Communication world time watch.