Tissot T12 40505

1972 Tissot T12 Chronograph

This chunky, UFO cased Tissot T12 long playing chronograph is still fitted with the original Gay Frères bracelet. Model reference 40505. FROM THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE BRACELET WE CAN ACCURATELY DATE THIS WATCH TO BEING NO EARLIER THAN JANUARY 1972. CONDITION The Tissot T12 Chronograph was launched in 1970 with this movement, and became the top of the range watch for Tissot. The movement is made by Lemania, and that is a good name for chronograph movements. This is a seventeen jewel calibre 873, beating at 21,600bph, and is known as a long player chronograph as it can time up to 12 hours. This manual wind movement is working well, starting and resetting perfectly and keeping good time. The case is known as a UFO style, like a lot of early 1970’s watches due to the space race. The bracelet is by Gay Frères, one of the very best bracelet makers in the business and it is a very good length. You can read an article on Gay Frères on Hodinkee here to learn more about their bracelets and why Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet all turned to them for bracelets. The press on case back has an engraving on, which is quite light and difficult to read (Gardner?). The case does have small marks on it but no real dings except one light one near the crown, shown in the video. The off white dial is clean, and the contrasting panda subdials black with white print. The chrono hands are all red, and the constant seconds hand is white. There is a little lume missing from the minute hand. All of the prominent hour markers are present and correct. The crystal has a couple of small cracks, but they are small and barely noticeable when wearing the watch so we have left it original. This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.