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Mido Roulette Date Pointer, 1940s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Mido (maker)
Date
1940s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 34 mm
Stock no.
40993193
Credit line
Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40993193)
Catalogue title (original)
Mido Roulette Date Pointer (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40993193), this is a wristwatch by Mido, dated 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 34 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 — Analog/Shift

One factor that we feel differentiates the Analog:Shift approach to vintage timepiece dealings is that we readily step outside the box to source some incredibly interesting and unusual watches for your consideration. Dating to the 1940s, this Mido is a classic callback to a bygone era of the watch industry with more modest case sizes, bumper automatic movements, and a robust charm. Measuring 34mm in stainless steel, this beautiful "Roulette" Pointer Date has curb appeal to extend down the block. Its lightly patinaed dial has aged to a creamy beauty, and the Roulette outer pointer date provides some needed contrast to spice up the reserved design. The squiggly pointer date layout is a bit bold and helps this piece really pop. To tie everything together, the handset is blackened to match the date frame in a lovely, coherent consistency. Well done. Classic and elegant, it's the perfect subdued and stylish everyday watch, sure to complete your suit or everyday outfit.

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

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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