Vintage oval watches.
An oval case has no straight edge anywhere on it, curving continuously the whole way round, which is closer to a locket than a conventional watch case. Tissot is the clearest presence in this collection, its dress and cocktail pieces carrying the shape, alongside a smaller scatter of other Swiss and Japanese watches. We check the movement, the case and the crystal on every piece before it is offered for sale.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a watch case oval rather than tonneau?
Whether the outline ever runs straight. Oval never does: the curve is continuous all the way round. Tonneau keeps a flat or near-flat section at the top and bottom before the sides bow outward. Spot a straight run anywhere on the edge and you are looking at a tonneau, not an oval.
Are oval watches only made for women?
Overwhelmingly, yes, in the vintage market. The shape suited dress and cocktail watches, which were predominantly a ladies' format through the decades that used oval cases most, so this collection is almost entirely ladies' pieces.
Is an oval case harder to repair or polish?
A little. There are no flat reference surfaces to work from, so refinishing an oval case well takes more care than a round one, and an oval crystal is a shaped rather than a standard part. We note the condition of both on every listing.
Do oval watches come in mechanical and quartz?
Yes, though quartz is more common in the later, more fashion-led oval pieces. Earlier oval dress watches are frequently mechanical. Each listing states the movement fitted.
