RECTA S.A.
 
Recta is a Swiss watch company with a history that dates back to the late 19th century. In 1897, Antoine Muller (1861-1930) and Alcide Vaucher (1860-1924) founded a watch factory “Muller & Vaucher, Fabrique d’Horlogerie” in Biel, Switzerland. One year later, in 1898, they registered the brand “Recta S.A.” for watches, watch parts, and packaging. The company specialized in producing high-quality pocket watches, including chronometers with a certification from the observatory. They also manufactured watch movements, supplying movements to other watchmakers.
 
By 1902, an own factory building was built in Biel and in 1913 the company expanded and built a larger factory. Eduard Tièche joined as head of sales in 1905 and remained until 1946. In 1915, Recta added compasses to its product line although it continued to make pocket watches and movements. The company was renamed to “Recta SA, Fabrique d’Horlogerie” in 1917.
 
In the 1920s, Recta was known for advertising for high grade watches and observatory certified chronometers using the Geneva seal, the quality stamp from the Geneva testing office “Bureau Officiel de l’Etat pour le contrôle facultatif des montres de Genève”. The company also participated in several chronometer competitions held by the Neuchâtel Observatory.
 
Recta also became particularly well-known for its military watches. The brand produced watches for various military forces, including the Swiss Army. These timepieces were valued for their robustness and precision, meeting the demanding requirements of military use. In addition to military watches, Recta also produced sports watches suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
 
In 1959, Marchand & Jobin, London, began importing Recta wristwatches to the UK. Recta ceased making watches in 1984 when the company was acquired by the Swiss watch company Mondaine. Mondaine is famous for its iconic Swiss Railway Watch design. The acquisition allowed Recta to benefit from Mondaine's resources and distribution channels.
 
Today, Recta continues to produce watches under the Mondaine Group. The brand maintains its focus on quality, precision, and functionality, appealing to both watch collectors and outdoor enthusiasts.
 
 
RECTA
German Army WWII
DH Wristwatch

A perfect example of a soldier issued timepiece from the Second World War.
 
During WWII the German Military needed a huge number of timepieces, both wrist, pocket and mounted. To fulfill these requirements, they turned to a number of Swiss watch manufacturers to meet the demands. The little official evidence that exists indicate that the watches started to be supplied in 1942 when the demand outstripped the German watch industry’s ability to produce watches domestically. Until 1944, when the supply stopped in due to the increasing difficulties the Swiss watch industry had in obtaining raw materials.
 
While no official specification has been found, it appears the contracts for these timepieces specified that the watches should be water resistant, the dials were required to be black with luminous numerals and hands with a small subsidiary second dial at 6 o’clock position and the movements shock protected.

Apparently, Germany placed many small contracts with a large number of companies in order to receive as many watches in as short a time as possible (bearing in mind the limited scope for watch companies of the 1940s) to suddenly provide thousands of additional watches to a set specification. Germany ordered watches from various Swiss watch manufacturers during WWII and Recta was one of those suppliers. Today we a wonderful example of that approach, a vintage military timepiece, it is a Recta German Army wristwatch, case serial number 557084 and dated from the early 1940s during the WWII era.

It is a manual wind watch powered by a Recta shock absorber (commonly unsigned) 15 jewels movement, sub-second.
 
Cased in a 32.5mm round chrome plated case and stainless-steel back, it also has a separate movement holder/spacer that fitted inside the case and held the dial and movement firmly in place in the center of the case.
 
As per the contract specification, this watch still has the original black dial (showing some age and patina) with radium luminous Arabic Numerals, “railroad” minute/second track and sub-second hand, luminous matching hands. The dial is also signed with the Recta name/logo.
 
This watch comes with a new-old-stock blue and yellow nylon Nato one-piece strap.

This watch is in good condition. Runs very well, keeps great time.

Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.

Movement: 
RECTA

Case Markings: 
557084

GB
ROSTFREI
STAHL BODEN

Measurements (mm):
Case Diameter 32.5
Case Diameter w/Crown 35.8
Case Lug to Lug 36.7
Case Thickness 8.6
Lug Width 17
Band Width 17

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust lighting when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

It will be carefully packed.

Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!

WA-0626