Radiator wrist watch designed by Bugatti.
An extremely rare and unusual deco wristwatch, created in Switzerland by Mido for the Bugatti company. Made during the art deco period in the shape of a automobile radiator grill, back in the 1930. Crafted in solid yellow gold of 14 karats with the logo of Bugatti which is embellished with applications of red white and black enamel and the letters EB, for Ettore Bugatti. Fitted with a hinged snap lid.
History
Between the mid-1920s and the mid-1930s, Mido produced less than a hundred watches for the very famous Bugatti automobile brand. The notable feature of these pieces was their case shaped like the iconic radiator grille on the famous car. They were specially ordered by Mr. Ettore Bugatti to the Mido manufacture, often offered to his best pilots, mechanics and to his family. Bolstered by this success, Mido developed its famous watches for motorists in 1925 and 1926. The brand filed a patent for its watch cases and for some dials inspired by the finest vehicles of the era. These included pocket and pendant watches, all of which mirrored the radiators from a large number of car manufacturers, including: Alfa Romeo, Benz, Bugatti (or EB, for Ettore Bugatti), Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, De Dion-Bouton, Delage, Farman, Fiat, Ford, Hispano-Suiza, Lancia, Lincoln, Opel, Peugeot, Pic-Pic, Rolls-Royce and Talbot.
Records
Mido records confirm that the first of the four series of Bugatti watches...
Category
1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Birks and Son Jewelry & Watches
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
