BWC Swiss Quartz Rectangular Two-Tone Date
Dress Watch / Fashion Watch · BWC Swiss (Buttes Watch Co.). BWC is a historic Swiss brand founded in 1924, known for entry-to-mid-tier luxury watches, later focusing on quartz models.
Period: Modernist / Late 20th Century (1990s). The watch features a mix of Art Deco rectangular influences and the two-tone aesthetic popularized in the 1980s and 90s.
Type
Dress Watch / Fashion Watch
Brand
BWC Swiss (Buttes Watch Co.). BWC is a historic Swiss brand founded in 1924, known for entry-to-mid-tier luxury watches, later focusing on quartz models.
Movement
Swiss Quartz movement (likely Ronda or ETA base). Features three hands and a quick-set date function. Battery powered.
Dimensions
32mm width (excluding crown), 38mm lug-to-lug, 8mm thickness, 18mm lug width. This is a compact, mid-sized dress watch that wears slim on the wrist.
Description
This BWC Swiss timepiece is a classic example of late-90s European dress watch design. Its rectangular, slightly softened case offers a 'tank' style aesthetic but with a more industrial, integrated feel. The silvered dial is highly legible with its 5-minute marker Arabic numerals, and the gold accents provide a touch of formality for office or evening wear.
Key Features
Rectangular case with protruding 'ears' at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, 6 o'clock date placement, and the specific BWC Swiss logo typeface.
Dial Description
Silver-champagne sunburst dial with a railway minute track. It features applied gold-tone dot indices and an Arabic numeral '12'. The hands are gold-tone baton/pencil style. Includes a circular date window at 6 o'clock.
Case Material
Stainless steel base with gold-plated (electroplated) bezel and accents. The case features a predominantly brushed finish on the sides and lugs with a polished gold-tone bezel.
Crystal Type
Mineral glass crystal, flat profile. Shows slight surface reflections suggests lack of AR coating.
Bezel Details
Fixed rectangular bezel with rounded corners (cushion style). Features a stepped design and is gold-plated.
Crown & Pushers
Small, push-pull crown located at 3 o'clock, steel or nickel-plated with a rounded 'cabaochon' style tip.
Bracelet or Strap
Integrated-style five-row link bracelet. Two-tone design with brushed steel outer links and polished gold-plated center links. Folding clasp.
Caseback Details
Stainless steel snap-on caseback. Likely contains engravings for 'Swiss Made', 'Water Resistant', and 'Stainless Steel'.
Movement Type
Swiss Quartz movement (likely Ronda or ETA base). Features three hands and a quick-set date function. Battery powered.
Water Resistance
3ATM (30 meters). Resistant to light splashes and rain; not suitable for swimming, showering, or diving.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. BWC originated in Buttes, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Movement and assembly are Swiss.
Age Estimate
Circa 1990-1998 based on the typeface, '3ATM Quartz' dial text, and two-tone bracelet styling.
Cultural Significance
Represents the era of accessible Swiss luxury that catered to the burgeoning middle-class professional market in Europe during the 1990s.
Condition Notes
Good condition. Minor surface scratches visible on the gold-plated bezel and bracelet links. The crystal appears clear. Moderate wear on the plating edges.
Value Estimate
$100 - $250 USD. Value is driven by the Swiss origin and 'BWC' name recognition, though the quartz movement and gold plating limit high-end collectibility.
Care & Maintenance
Battery replacement every 2-3 years. Avoid water exposure as '3ATM' is only splash-proof. Clean bracelet with a soft cloth to preserve plating.
Similar Watches
Raymond Weil Parsifal, Longines DolceVita, or vintage Seiko Quartz tanks. Differences include the unique BWC case flanking and dial layout.
Interesting Facts
BWC was once a leader in producing affordable chronographs in the mid-20th century before pivoting to quartz dress watches to survive the quartz crisis.