August 30, 2019
1940s Doxa "Art Deco" Oversize Gilt Chronograph
To end things off this week, we're going out with a bang thanks to one of the nicest gilt dial chronographs to have hit the market in a while. For those who’ve never handled a vintage timepiece with a gilt dial in the metal, let me be the first to tell you that such watches do live up to the hype and then some. It’s a bit hard to explain their awe-inspiring appeal without coming across as too much of a nutter, but the way the light hits a glossy black dial with gold colored markings is truly something special. This is why many make gilt dial chronographs the focus of their collections after acquiring a first great example. If you've decided that the time has come to track down an example of your own, and begin your journey down the rabbit hole, you might want to take a closer look at this piece from Doxa.
Throughout the 1940s, Doxa manufactured what are in my opinion some of the most attractive gilt dial chronographs ever made, characterized by unique typefaces, serpentine-esque scales, and tastefully understated aesthetics as a whole. This example is no exception, with elongated, art deco numerals placed perfectly between two stages of scales, and a set of minimalist, stick-like hands which trace the dial.
One noteworthy detail on this piece, that I'd argue excites by way of its unexciting appearance is the case. This 38 mm hunk of stainless steel is relatively basic, with no outlandish lines or lug design to speak of, though as a result, more attention is directed towards the dial. It's as if Doxa knew this gilt dial variant was hot stuff from day one, and made sure to not upstage it with superfluous details. From both a design and condition perspective, this is about as good as it gets, so act accordingly.
Read entire article here @Hodinkee