Lucien Piccard Pennard Automatic Day-Date (Vintage Tonneau)
Dress Watch / Casual Day-Date · Lucien Piccard (Originally an independent Swiss brand, later acquired by SWI Group). Historically positioned as a mid-tier luxury brand with a focus on jewelry-style timepieces.
Period: Modernist/Space Age (Late 1960s to Mid-1970s). Defined by the 'C-shape' or tonneau case geometry and sunburst bark-textured dial typical of the era.
Type
Dress Watch / Casual Day-Date
Brand
Lucien Piccard (Originally an independent Swiss brand, later acquired by SWI Group). Historically positioned as a mid-tier luxury brand with a focus on jewelry-style timepieces.
Movement
Automatic self-winding mechanical movement, likely based on an A. Schild (AS) or ETA caliber of the period; features 17 to 25 jewels and a day-date complication.
Dimensions
36mm case diameter, 12mm thickness, 41mm lug-to-lug, 18mm lug width. Wears slightly larger due to the hooded lug design.
Description
A flamboyant representative of 1970s horological design, this Lucien Piccard Pennard features a striking 'sunburst' textured dial that plays with light. The hooded lugs and tonneau case provide a seamless transition from the watch head to the strap, a hallmark of the Space Age aesthetic. Its bold red seconds hand adds a sportier touch to an otherwise dressy gold-tone palette.
Key Features
Radial 'bark' textured dial, 'Pennard' signature under the Lucien Piccard logo, red sweep seconds hand, and the characteristic 1970s C-case shape.
Dial Description
Champagne/Gold sunburst dial with a deep radial 'bark' texture; applied faceted baton indices with black inserts; baton hands with black stripes and a contrast red seconds hand; day-date window at 3 o'clock.
Case Material
Gold-plated base metal or gold-filled stainless steel with a polished finish; the case shows significant brassing and wear on the sharp edges.
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic (Plexiglass); features visible surface scratches and minor peripheral crazing consistent with age.
Bezel Details
Fixed smooth bezel integrated into the cushion-style case design, gold-plated finish.
Crown & Pushers
Recessed gold-toned push-pull crown located at the 3 o'clock position; unsigned or lightly branded.
Bracelet or Strap
Aftermarket tan cognac-colored faux-crocodile embossed leather strap with matching stitching and a gold-toned tang buckle.
Caseback Details
Screw-down solid stainless steel caseback; likely contains engravings for Lucien Piccard brand logo and 'Water Resistant' / 'Stainless Steel Back'.
Movement Type
Automatic self-winding mechanical movement, likely based on an A. Schild (AS) or ETA caliber of the period; features 17 to 25 jewels and a day-date complication.
Water Resistance
Non-water resistant by modern standards. Originally rated as 'Water Resistant' (approx 3ATM), but seals are almost certainly compromised.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made; indicated by the 'T SWISS MADE T' markings at the 6 o'clock position (signifying the use of Tritium lume).
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1975. The 'T' markings and the Pennard sub-branding align with Lucien Piccard's production from this specific decade.
Cultural Significance
Represents the era of 'Watch as Jewelry,' where textured dials and unusual case shapes were used to compete with the rising popularity of sleek quartz watches.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant plating wear (rub-through) on the lug areas exposing the base metal. The dial remains remarkably clean, though the Tritium lume on the hands and indices has likely oxidized or fallen away.
Value Estimate
$150 - $300 USD. Value is limited by the condition of the gold plating and the brand's current status as a fashion-tier manufacturer, though vintage mechanical models retain enthusiast interest.
Care & Maintenance
Water resistance is likely zero due to aged gaskets; avoid all moisture. Service every 5-7 years to prevent wear on the vintage automatic winding bridge.
Similar Watches
Omega Constellation 'C-Shape', Bulova Accutron Astronaut, and vintage Seiko 7006 series cushion cases.
Interesting Facts
Lucien Piccard was once known for its high-end gold watches and was famously worn by celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley before the brand's shift in market positioning.