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DeLaneau Tiger’s Eye Marquetry Pour Coppini Florence, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

DeLaneau Tiger’s Eye Marquetry Pour Coppini Florence, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
DeLaneau (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Italy
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
18K Yellow-Gold
Dimensions
Diameter 32 mm
Stock no.
R254
Credit line
Dealer listing, Watches of Knightsbridge (R254)
Catalogue title (original)
DeLaneau Tiger’s Eye Marquetry Pour Coppini Florence (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Watches of Knightsbridge (dealer), London (stock number R254), this is a wristwatch by DeLaneau, made in Italy, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: 18K Yellow-Gold. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 32 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Watches of Knightsbridge

This rare DeLaneau is a fine example of the artistic watches produced by the brand during the late 1970s and 1980s. Designed by the legendary Jean-Claude Gueit following his time at Piaget, the watch reflects Gueit’s unmistakable artistic flair and unconventional vision for watch design. DeLaneau gave him the freedom to fully express this vision in creating these remarkable timepieces. The watch features a circular 18k solid gold case with a marquetry Tiger’s Eye stone dial. It was made for the renowned Florentine retailer “Coppini”’ with its cosigned dial, which at the time was regarded as one of Italy’s most prestigious retailers of watches and jewellery.

Specifications — Watches of Knightsbridge

Metal: 18K Yellow-Gold; Movement: Manual-Wind; Case diameter: 32mm; Bracelet/strap: Tan Seude Strap

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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