Vintage Gigandet Automatic Date C-Shape / Cushion Case
Dress / Sport Hybrid · Gigandet (Charles Gigandet SA). Historically a Swiss brand known for providing movements to Breitling and Wakmann; currently a revived brand focusing on affordable luxury/homages.
Period: Vintage (1970s); identifiable by the 'C-shape' or cushion case design, hooded lugs, and the blue fumé (gradient) dial typical of the era's avant-garde aesthetic.
Type
Dress / Sport Hybrid
Brand
Gigandet (Charles Gigandet SA). Historically a Swiss brand known for providing movements to Breitling and Wakmann; currently a revived brand focusing on affordable luxury/homages.
Movement
Automatic (Self-winding); likely a Swiss-made ETA or A. Schild (AS) caliber common to Gigandet in this era, featuring approximately 18,000 to 21,600 bph and a 38-42 hour power reserve.
Dimensions
36-38mm case diameter excluding crown, 12mm thickness, 42mm lug-to-lug, and 18mm or 20mm lug width. Wears larger due to the integrated lug design.
Description
A classic example of 1970s Swiss watch design, this Gigandet features a striking cushion-shaped case that merges the elegancy of a dress watch with the robustness of a tool watch. The star of the show is the gradient dial, which transitions from a deep midnight blue at the periphery to a metallic grey-blue at the center, capturing the disco-era flair for bold colors and textures.
Key Features
Fumé dial, hooded lugs (no visible gap between strap and case), applied chunky indices, and the historical Gigandet script branding.
Dial Description
Blue to grey fumé (gradient) dial with a vertical brushed texture. Features applied gold-tone indices with white/black contrast inserts, baton hands, a white date window at 3 o'clock, and 'Gigandet' script logo.
Case Material
Gold-plated (likely 10-20 microns) or gold-filled base metal. The case exhibits a high-polished finish on the bezel and top surfaces, with brushed sides typical of the period.
Crystal Type
Acrylic/Plexiglass; domed shape. Common for the 1970s, providing a warm distortion at the edges in exchange for lower scratch resistance.
Bezel Details
Fixed, integrated part of the cushion case. Highly polished gold-toned surface without specific markings.
Crown & Pushers
Gold-toned push-pull crown located at 3 o'clock. Narrow profile, likely signed or unsigned typical for the brand tier.
Bracelet or Strap
Dark brown leather strap with a padded construction. Features a matching gold-toned pin buckle.
Caseback Details
Solid screw-down stainless steel caseback. Usually features basic engravings such as 'Water Resistant', 'Swiss Made', and 'Antimagnetic'.
Movement Type
Automatic (Self-winding); likely a Swiss-made ETA or A. Schild (AS) caliber common to Gigandet in this era, featuring approximately 18,000 to 21,600 bph and a 38-42 hour power reserve.
Water Resistance
Non-water resistant by modern standards. Originally rated for 'Splash Resistance' (3 ATM), but currently unsuitable for any immersion.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Manufactured in Solothurn, Switzerland during the original brand's peak era before the quartz crisis impacted European production.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1975 based on the dial colorway and the 'C-Shape' case popularised by Gérald Genta's designs of the time.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Space Age' design transition where watch manufacturers moved away from circular cases toward more ergonomic, integrated geometries.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. The gold plating shows light surface scratches but no major wear-through (brassing). The dial and hands appear well-preserved without visible oxidation.
Value Estimate
$250 - $450 USD. Value is driven by the vibrant dial color; gold plating generally holds less value than stainless steel models of the same era.
Care & Maintenance
5-year service interval for the mechanical movement. Avoid water contact entirely as vintage seals perish. Use a soft cloth for gold-plated surfaces to prevent abrasive wear.
Similar Watches
Omega Constellation 'C-Shape', Tissot Visodate (Vintage), Mido Commander. The Omega is significantly higher in value due to brand prestige and chronometer-grade movements.
Interesting Facts
Gigandet is most famous among collectors for the 'Wakmann' chronographs they manufactured, which used high-grade Breitling parts and Valjoux movements.