Mortima Mayerling 17 Jewels
Vintage Dress/Casual Watch with Date · Mortima (Manufacture de Montres Mayor / Emile Cattin), an affordable French watch brand based in Morteau
Period: Vintage 1970s Disco Era / Funky Cushion Case Style
Type
Vintage Dress/Casual Watch with Date
Brand
Mortima (Manufacture de Montres Mayor / Emile Cattin), an affordable French watch brand based in Morteau
Movement
Mechanical hand-wound, Cattin C66 or similar pin-lever movement, 17 jewels
Dimensions
Case diameter: 36mm, thickness: 11mm, lug-to-lug: 41mm, lug width: 18mm
Description
The Mortima Mayerling is a charming example of 1970s French horology, featuring a bold cushion-shaped case and a deep blue sunburst dial. Designed as an accessible everyday watch during an era of wild stylistic experimentation, it combines robust, budget-friendly pin-lever mechanics with striking cosmetic flair, including a prominent date magnifier and distinct geometric hour markers.
Key Features
Chunky cushion-shaped case, dark blue sunburst dial with double baton markers, and a date window enhanced by a pronounced cyclops lens
Dial Description
Dark blue sunburst dial, applied gold-tone baton hour markers with double indices at 12, 6, and 9, slender baton hands, date window at 3 o'clock with a prominent external cyclops magnifying lens on the crystal, Mortima logo with a red dot at 12, Mayerling cursive branding at 6
Case Material
Chromed base metal / base metal with a brushed and polished finish
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic crystal with a glued-on or molded internal cyclops magnifier above the date window
Bezel Details
Integrated smooth fixed bezel forming part of the chunky cushion-shaped case
Crown & Pushers
Standard push-pull crown located at the 3 o'clock position, unsigned
Bracelet or Strap
Vintage stainless steel stretch bracelet with folded links
Caseback Details
Snap-on stainless steel caseback, likely featuring French manufacturing stamps and water resistance claims typical of the era
Movement Type
Mechanical hand-wound, Cattin C66 or similar pin-lever movement, 17 jewels
Water Resistance
Originally splash resistant, but current water resistance is nil due to age, wear, and worn case seals
Origin & Provenance
French-made, produced in the watchmaking region of Morteau near the Swiss border, utilizing in-house pin-lever (Roskopf) movements
Age Estimate
Circa 1970s
Cultural Significance
Represents the accessible, mass-market European watchmaking of the 1970s, showcasing how bold design trends trickled down to budget-friendly manufacturers
Condition Notes
Fair to good vintage condition. The case shows heavy pitting and brassing where the chrome plating has worn away. The acrylic crystal has surface scratches and wear. The dial is clean and well-preserved. The bracelet is original-style but shows age and looseness
Value Estimate
30 to 100 USD depending on working condition and completeness, primarily valued as a nostalgic entry-level vintage piece
Care & Maintenance
Avoid all contact with water due to degraded vintage gaskets. Manual winding should be done gently until resistance is felt. Periodic service by a watchmaker familiar with pin-lever movements is recommended
Similar Watches
Catana, Cupillard Rième, Lip, or various vintage Timex models from the same era featuring pin-lever movements and funky cushion cases
Interesting Facts
Mortima was produced by Emile Cattin in Morteau, France, and was once one of the largest volume watch producers in France, specializing in affordable, robust mechanical watches for the working class before the quartz crisis