Tressa Lux Automatic Day-Date (likely Ref. 131 or similar series)
Lifestyle/Dress Watch (Complications: Day-Date) · Tressa (Tressa Watch Co.), a Swiss brand that was active mid-century but became known for flamboyant designs during the 1970s; currently considered a vintage boutique brand.
Period: Space Age / Avant-Garde (1970s). Stylistic indicators include the heavy, elliptical 'UFO' case, the funky gradient dial, and the bold, rounded typography.
Type
Lifestyle/Dress Watch (Complications: Day-Date)
Brand
Tressa (Tressa Watch Co.), a Swiss brand that was active mid-century but became known for flamboyant designs during the 1970s; currently considered a vintage boutique brand.
Movement
Automatic/self-winding; likely an A. Schild (AS) or ETA caliber (e.g., AS 5206), featuring 21 jewels (21 Rubis) and Incabloc shock protection.
Dimensions
Diameter: 38-40mm (excluding crown), Thickness: 12-14mm, Lug-to-Lug: 42mm, Lug Width: 18-20mm. It wears larger due to the slab-sided case design.
Description
This Tressa Lux is a quintessentially 1970s 'UFO' style watch. It embodies the era's fascination with unconventional shapes and bold colors. The oversized, circular-brushed case frames a unique oval dial, creating a 'watch within a watch' visual effect. Its pop of color via the blue seconds hand against the chocolate dial makes it a standout piece of retro-futurism.
Key Features
Symmetrical dial layout (Automatic at 9, Day-Date at 3), 21 Rubis movement marking, Incabloc protection, and the signature light blue seconds hand.
Dial Description
Matte brown/gradient dial with an oval shape; features thick applied baton indices, a light blue seconds hand, and rectangular frames for 'AUTOMATIC' and the day-date windows at 3 and 9 o'clock.
Case Material
Stainless steel or chrome-plated base metal (common for Tressa), featuring a coarse circular brushed finish on the top surface.
Crystal Type
Likely acrylic (Plexiglass), domed or flat, typical of the 1970s era.
Bezel Details
Fixed integrated bezel; part of the unibody case design with a vertical/circular brushed texture.
Crown & Pushers
Recessed small stainless steel crown at the 3 o'clock position, designed to be unobtrusive and maintain the oval silhouette.
Bracelet or Strap
Often paired with an integrated-style stainless steel H-link or oyster-style bracelet with a folding clasp.
Caseback Details
Screw-down or snap-on solid stainless steel caseback, usually featuring the Tressa logo and basic technical specs (Water Resistant, Antimagnetic).
Movement Type
Automatic/self-winding; likely an A. Schild (AS) or ETA caliber (e.g., AS 5206), featuring 21 jewels (21 Rubis) and Incabloc shock protection.
Water Resistance
Originally 3-5 ATM (splash resistant), but should be considered 'not water resistant' today due to age and gasket degradation.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Components were often manufactured in Bienne (Biel), Switzerland using outsourced high-quality Swiss ebauche movements.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1975, based on the 'Lux' branding and the distinct Space Age design language.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'funky' era of Swiss watchmaking before the Quartz Crisis fully took hold, when brands experimented heavily with case geometry to compete with digital aesthetics.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible scratches on the brushed case surface and some potential dust or patina on the dial indices. Lume on hands appears aged.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 USD depending on whether the day-date quickset functions correctly and the condition of the original bracelet.
Care & Maintenance
Service the movement every 5 years. Avoid water entirely as vintage gaskets have likely failed. Use a polywatch compound to buff scratches out of the acrylic crystal.
Similar Watches
Rado Diastar (for the oval shape), Seiko 5 'UFO' 6119-6400, and Mido Commander models from the same era.
Interesting Facts
The Tressa Lux line was highly popular in the Middle Eastern and Turkish markets during the 1970s, which is why many of these watches feature bilingual day wheels (Arabic/English).