Titus Vintage 17 Jewels - Incabloc
Titus Vintage 17 Jewels - Incabloc
An elegant '50s-'60s Swiss classic in pristine condition, with an ETA 2390 heart! Titus offered a simple elegance in the mid-20th century with its clean dial and robust Swiss movement formula. This piece, with its ETA 2390 caliber manual winding heart, original case back paper still attached, and refined dial execution, feels like a collector's-grade "time capsule." The condition seen in the photos is a display example, unworn.
Manufacture – Identification
Brand/Model: Titus - “17 Jewels / Incabloc”
Origin: Swiss Made (under the dial “SWISS”)
Production: ~1959–61 (confirmed by the Titus period announcement and the ETA 2390 typology)
Caliber: ETA 2390 (manual winding, 17 jewels, Incabloc shock protection)
Condition: Unworn / very close to New Old Stock - case back paper preserved
Movement - ETA 2390
Type: Manual winding, center seconds
Number of jewels: 17 jewels (on dial and bridge engravings)
Shock protection: Incabloc
Frequency: Typical 18,000 vph for the period
Power reserve: ~40-hour class
Characteristics: Classic ETA architecture with stable movement, easy service availability, and good spare parts availability
Functions
Hours - minutes - seconds (center)
Precision winding (manual), smooth seconds
Shock protection (Incabloc spring system)
Case, Glass, Strap
Case diameter: 35.0mm - above period standards, very well balanced on the modern wrist
Thickness: Thin-medium (ideal for dress wear)
Case: High-polished stainless steel; distinct broken lines and sharp edges on the lugs
Case: Domed acrylic with a period character (warm reflection in light)
Case back: Snap-on with printed logo; original "TITUS" paper label present
Crown: Titus laurel wreath logo, good threading
Strap: New leather strap with black pattern (stainless buckle)
Dial & Design
Color/texture: Cream-champagne tone; Two-layered look with dotted minute track in the center
Indices: Applied gold-tone batons + Arabic numerals 12 and 6
Logo: Laurel wreath emblem and TITUS logotype at top; raised star detail at bottom
Inscriptions: “17 Jewels – Incabloc” – highlights mechanical identity
Hands: Sharp faceted dauphine hour/minute; slim center seconds
Readability: Very high with simple typography and contrasting hand/index relationship
Condition Report:
Dial: Spotless, homogeneous; inscription relief/transfer clarity is very good
Case: Mirror polished surfaces; lug lines are not dulled – likely never worn
Glass: Optically clean; natural light refractions at the dome edge
Movement: ETA 2390 bridges/gears are clean; rubies are shiny, free of dirt/oxide
Caseback: Paper label present; A distinct plus in terms of collector value.
Collector Value - Why Is It Special?
It's difficult to find an "unworn" example close to NOS; the back cover paper supports this claim.
ETA 2390: The heart of the golden age of Swiss mechanics from the 50s and 60s, "easy to service - spare parts available - durable."
35 mm steel case: The perfect intersection of "vintage size and modern balance" for today's wrists.
Timeless design: Minimal typography, applied indices, and dauphine hands—a "pure dress" perfect for wedding, business, and classic wear.
Case/Contents - Engravings (observed)
Inside case/label: Large red label with TITUS inscription
Bridge: "TITUS - SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS"
Under-dial: "SWISS" (6-sided)
Care & Usage Recommendations
A light oiling check and timer calibration are recommended before first wristwear (standard procedure after years of display).
The acrylic glass is easily polished with microfiber; if necessary, hairline scratches can be quickly removed with a Polywatch.
In daily use, it's important to be mindful of magnetic fields and water contact (snap-on cover).
A Final Word
The Titus ETA 2390 embodies the definition of "pure Swiss dress": understated elegance, a heart-warming heart, and the authenticity sought after by collectors—complete with back cover paper. This watch doesn't just measure time; Like an unaged 50s-60s display case, it teaches you a lesson in refinement every day on your wrist.
In short: clean, honest, refined, and built to last...
