Vintage 1930s watches.

Watchmaking in the 1930s

By the 1930s the wristwatch had firmly overtaken the pocket watch as the everyday timepiece, and manufacturers responded with a wave of elegant, considered designs. It was a decade shaped by the art deco movement and, towards its end, by the shadow of approaching war.

Watchmaking of the period was almost entirely manual-wind, and the finest houses produced beautifully finished movements in small, refined cases. Survivors from the 1930s are relatively scarce, which adds to their appeal.

What defined 1930s watch design

Art deco set the tone: geometric shapes, rectangular and tonneau cases, stepped bezels and elegant, legible dials. Precious metals and gold-filled cases were common, and the overall feeling is one of restrained glamour.

Dials often featured slim applied numerals or fine printed markers, with delicate hands to match. Everything about a 1930s watch speaks of a more formal age.

Movements and craftsmanship of the 1930s

The decade was the province of the manual-wind movement, and the best of them were finished to a very high standard. Automatic winding was only beginning to appear, so most 1930s watches are wound by hand each day, part of the quiet ritual that collectors enjoy.

Collecting 1930s watches today

A 1930s watch is a genuine piece of history, and one that still wears beautifully thanks to the era's slim, elegant proportions. Because these watches are old, condition and originality are paramount, and the dial in particular deserves close attention. Every 1930s watch we list is inspected, tested and honestly described, and ships free within the UK with 14-day returns.