BWC Swiss Automatic 25 Date - Vintage Tonneau/Cushion Case
Field/Daily Wear Watch · BWC Swiss (Buttes Watch Co.), a historically significant mid-tier Swiss brand known for reliable tool and chronograph watches.
Period: Vintage (1970s) Tool-Era - Identifiable by the oversized tonneau/c-shape case and the 'T' tritium markings on the dial from that period.
Type
Field/Daily Wear Watch
Brand
BWC Swiss (Buttes Watch Co.), a historically significant mid-tier Swiss brand known for reliable tool and chronograph watches.
Movement
Automatic/Self-winding, 25 Jewels (likely an ETA 2783 or similar vintage Swiss caliber), featuring a date complication and sweeping seconds.
Dimensions
36mm-38mm diameter, 11mm thickness, 42mm lug-to-lug, 18mm or 19mm lug width.
Description
This BWC Swiss represents the quintessential 1970s everyday automatic timepiece. The brushed cushion case provides a substantial wrist presence despite its modest diameter, while the 6 o'clock date window offers a pleasing symmetry not often found in later designs. It is a rugged, functional piece of Swiss horology from an era when BWC was highly active in producing reliable movements for the mass market.
Key Features
Symmetrical 6 o'clock date window, 'Automatic 25' jewel designation, distinctive 1970s c-shape case, and period-correct tritium lume plots.
Dial Description
Silver sunburst dial with applied Arabic numerals, baton-style hands with aged tritium lume inserts, a date window at 6 o'clock, and a detailed outer railroad minute track with tritium pips.
Case Material
Stainless steel with a sunburst-brushed top surface and polished sides.
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic (hesalite) crystal. Shows significant peripheral scratching and scuffs consistent with age.
Bezel Details
Integrated smooth fixed bezel typical of cushion-style cases, featuring a vertical brushed finish.
Crown & Pushers
Standard push-pull crown, small and low-profile, located at 3 o'clock.
Bracelet or Strap
Brown croc-style embossed leather strap with tonal stitching and a steel pin buckle.
Caseback Details
Likely a screw-down solid stainless steel caseback without extensive engraving beyond brand and water resistance text.
Movement Type
Automatic/Self-winding, 25 Jewels (likely an ETA 2783 or similar vintage Swiss caliber), featuring a date complication and sweeping seconds.
Water Resistance
Originally 30-50m (splash proof), but currently should be considered 0m/not water resistant due to aged gaskets.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made, manufactured in Buttes, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1975, based on the 'T SWISS MADE T' tritium marker and the specific case geometry.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'working man's' Swiss watch of the 1970s—a bridge between classic mid-century design and the more experimental shapes of the late tool-watch era.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The crystal has heavy scratching and the case shows numerous surface abrasions. The dial and hands appear well-preserved with typical light patina on the tritium pips.
Value Estimate
$200 - $450 USD depending on the internal movement health and the clarity of the crystal after polishing.
Care & Maintenance
Requires professional service every 5-7 years. The acrylic crystal can be polished with Polywatch. Avoid all water contact as vintage gaskets are likely compromised.
Similar Watches
Omega Constellation 'C-Shape', Hamilton Fontainebleau, or early 1970s Tissot PR 516. The Omega is significantly more expensive but shares the Genta-esque case influence.
Interesting Facts
BWC was founded in 1924 and became famous for its chronographs; they were one of the many brands that faced hardships during the Quartz Crisis but survived by focusing on reliable, utilitarian designs.