HEBDOMAS Watches
HEBDOMAS, one of the greatest and oldest Swiss watch brands, started its activities in 1888 in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland), the birth place of many famous Swiss brands.
This small village near French border is known as the cradle of traditional watch making, thanks to the rich heritage and craftsmanship of the Swiss watch-makers. The work of these watch-makers has been re-discovered by a large public and connoisseurs, who appreciates the good craftsmanship and models that time has preserved.
Since 1888, all Hebdomas watches have been entirely manufactured by hand, piece by piece. Hebdomas high standard of quality is rooted in the experience of its highly skilled watch-makers, and also in the remembrance of olden customs linked to the cycle of seven, which is the key number that made the brand famous throughout the world.
The name Hebdomas recalls the festivities of Ebdomee, held in Sparta, Croton and Mileto, which celebrated the birth of Apollo on the seventh day of the month. In ancient Lesbos, sung by poets, such festivities were dedicated to Dionisio, holding many superstitious rituals and beliefs which were linked to the seventh day of the month.
The HEBDOMAS 8 day watch was first made at the turn of the century and has continued steadily its production, with minor variation, ever since. The watch has a distinctive style with a small dial, visible balance wheel and a decorated balance cock. The outstanding feature is the unusual large mainspring barrel which occupies the rear of the movement.
The origin of the 8 day watch traces back to 1888 when a watchmaker from the Jura canton (Switzerland) applied for a patent for an 8-days watch with a visible escapement.
The patent was granted on 10 January 1889 but this in turn was purchased by a watchmaker from La Ferrière, Arthur Graizely, who developed the watch into a commercial success. Later, in partnership with Otto Schild from Grenchen, they set up business in La-Chaux-de-Fonds at the beginning of the century under the name of Graizely & Co.
In 1906, the partnership was dissolved and a new company was formed under the name of SCHILD & Co., and established in a new factory in Rue du Parc, La-Chaux-de-Fonds, which is the present address of the company. Examples of the HEBDOMAS watch may often be seen in museums and private collections. Hebdomas watches obtained many rewards and medals f.i. Geneva 1896, Paris 1900, Chicago 1902, Milan 1906, Bruxelles 1910, Berne 1914.
The success of the Hebdomas watches in the 1900 was unbelievable and during this period the company had 1000 workers and used to produce 1000 watches a day.
Several historic and unique timepieces created by Hebdomas are still to be found in private collections all over the world. Particular care has always been taken in the manufacturing of Hebdomas, each element is meticulously selected and tested, even down to the beautiful enamel dials that ornate each piece.
The Hebdomas 8 day timepieces by are still capable of bringing back certain nostalgia of olden times, and even though, through modern technologies improvements have been made, nothing has changed from the original concept and design.
The modern Hebdomas watch collection consists of 8 day series (pocket & wrist watches), Baladin line (created in association with Vincent Calabrese), Jumping hours series, skeleton models, military watches, chronographs and split seconds models and finally the wrist watches for women.
HEBDOMAS Watch Collections
HEBDOMAS BALADIN
In 1988, Hebdomas started a new adventure after 100 year – new complication, skeleton jumping hour and turning jumping hour (Baladin in joint venture with Vincent Calabrese) skeleton developed by Tony Perez, Domique Renaud Giulio Papi.
Mr. Vincent Calabrese is a master watch-maker of international reputation, who received a gold medal in 1977 at the inventor’s exhibition in Geneva. In April 1990, when his latest invention “BALADIN” was presented at the same exhibition, a jury awarded him a prize for its originality and unprecedented conception.
Sober in its essential form, the technical and creative aspects are not missing in the “BALADIN” watch. It’s the continuity of the Swiss watch-makers art, and also a contribution to the horological, and mechanical complication concepts. The simplicity of the dial, practically without hands, makes everything that easier to tell.
The small opening, or window, on the dial through which a number or letter appears, indicates the exact time. Opposite the opening, a small arrow which turns at 360° indicates the minutes, whilst the single hand indicates the seconds. The perfect study of the dial synchronizes also the rotation of numbers and letters in the opening on the dial.
In every three hours a number is succeeded by a letter which reads as follows:
T = 3H S = 6H N = 9H M = 12pm or noon
Such alternation constitutes an original synchronization between past and present and brings back memories of the sacred numbers which in olden times were not considered in an abstract concept but instead were closely linked to objects that offered other calculations.
These numbers were always surrounded by rather magical and mysterious values. For instance the number three with its multiple and esoteric values are covered by the appearance of a letter in its place. The three alchemistic and dividing factors of the world: the sky, earth, and water, plus the Babylon tirade ANU, BEL, EA of the eastern Semitics are all represented in the Baladin dial.
Technical details
1. HEBDOMAS BALADIN Ref. 3301
Case: solid silver
Front glass: esalit
Case back: mineral glass
Movement: ETA 2824 self winding modified
Dial: white
Dimensions: 38,8 mm H.: 11,5 mm
Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap
Packaging: wooden box-
Price: Euro 9,587.00 (tax not included)
2. HEBDOMAS BALADIN Ref. 3302
Case: solid silver 20m. Gold plated
Front glass: esalit
Case back: mineral glass
Movement: ETA 2824 self winding modified
Dial: white
Dimensions: 38, 8 mm H.: 11, 5 mm
Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap
Packaging: wooden box
Price: Euro 9,760.00 (tax not included)
HEBDOMAS 8 days watch collection
The HEBDOMAS 8 day watch was first made at the turn of the century and has continued steadily its production, with minor variation, ever since.
The watch has a distinctive style with a small dial, visible balance wheel and a decorated balance cock. The outstanding feature is the unusual large mainspring barrel which occupies the rear of the movement.
Technical details
1. HEBDOMAS Ref. 601 Ascot 8 days solid gold 18k (wrist watch)
Case: solid gold
Edition: Limited and numbered series 90 pieces
Front glass: esalit
Movement: Vintage 60TH 8 DAYS CHARGE
Dial: Email White
Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap
Packaging: wooden box
Price: Euro 22,900.00 (tax not included)
2. HEBDOMAS 8 DAYS ASCOT Ref. 201 (Wrist watch)
Case: 5 M. gold plated
Front glass: esalit
Movement: OLD 60TH 15” CAL 102 -18000 ALT/HOUR
Dial: white email
Diam.: 40mm H.: 13.6mm
Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap
Price: euro 3.800.00 (tax not included)
3. HEBDOMAS-ASCOT Ref.14660 (Wrist watch)
Case: 10 micron gold plated
Front glass: esalit
Case back: mineral glass
Movement: Chronograph Valjoux 7760 60SEC., 30MIN.,12H recorders -date in dial apertures
Dial: white email with tachymeter
Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap
Packaging: wooden box
Price: Euro 4.900,00 (tax not included)
4. HEBDOMAS 8 DAYS SKELETON Ref HESQUEL (Pocket watch)
Case: gold plated 10 M.
Movement: 8 DAYS 19” CAL.103 MOD. SKELETON OLD 70TH
Edition: limited series
Diam.: 49.4mm H.:16mm
Price: Euro 5,690.00 (tax not included)
5. HEBDOMAS 8 DAYS LUNE Ref. HELUNE (Pocket watch)
Case: gold plated 10 M.
Edition: limited series of 900 pieces
Movement: 8 DAYS 19” CAL .103 MOD. Day Hand, Date Hand, Moon Phases, in dial apertures, old 70th
Diam.:49.4mm H.: 16.7mm
Price: euro 6,976.00 (tax not included)
Also available
REF.310 GOLD PL. 5M (Euro 1.800,00)
REF.308 GOLD PL. 5M (Euro 1.800,00)
HEBDOMAS Chrono Gold Series
1. HEBDOMAS CLASS GOLD 1 Ref. 918 Wrist watch: Case: solid gold 35-38gr., Front glass: esalit, Movement: chronograph automatic Valjoux 7751; 60sec, 30min., 12 h. Rec. date indicator by hand; day, month, moon phases in dial apertures, 24 hours hand, Diam.: 38.4mm H.: 13.2mm, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 9,950.00 (tax not included)
2. HEBDOMAS CLASS GOLD 2 OPERA Ref. 919 Wrist watch: Movement: Chronograph calibre 88 (produced in 1947); 60sec, 30min., 12 h. rec., date indicator by hand; day, month, moon phases in dial apertures, Diam.: 38.4mm H.: 13.2mm, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Price: Euro 22,980.00 (tax not included)
HEBDOMAS Lady’s Wrist watches
1. HEBDOMAS PETIT WHITE GOLD Ref.6010 – 1: Case: solid gold (26 grams) & 0.47 carat diamonds, Front glass: mineral glass, Dimensions: 19mm H.: 8.3mm, Price: Euro 5,600 (tax not included)
2. HEBDOMAS BANANA Ref. 6001: Case: solid silver, Front glass: mineral glass, Movement: mechanical, Dial: Email White, Width: 23.5mm. Height: 8.3mm. Length: 40.2mm, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 2,250.00 (tax not included)
3. HEBDOMAS BANANA ZIRCON Ref. 6002: Case: solid silver, Front glass: mineral glass, Movement: mechanical, Dial: Email White, Width: 23.5mm. H: 8.3mm. Long.40.2mm, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 2,400.00 (tax not included)
HEBDOMAS Split seconds Watches
1. HEBDOMAS DROP DOPPEL WATCH Ref. 88920: Case: stainless steel, Water resistance: 3ATM, Front glass: Sapphire, Movement: automatic 30 jewels, Incabloc, Balance Glucidur spring Nivarox, 28800 alt., mod., Rattrapante (split seconds) 60 sec., 60 sec., 30 min., 12h. Recorders, data in dial apertures, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap -wooden box, Price: Euro 8,725.00 (tax not included)
HEBDOMAS Military Watches
1. HEBDOMAS-MILITARY Voyager Ref. 88900 (wrist watch): Case: stainless steel, Front glass: sapphire, Movement: chronograph self-winding Valjoux 7750; 60 sec. 30 min. 12 hours’ recorders – date, second time, Dial: Black with Tritium Number, Strap: Italian strap caucciu, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 5,900.00 (tax not included)
2. HEBDOMAS MILITARY DOPPEL WATCH Ref. 78520: Case: stainless steel, Water resistance: 10ATM, Front glass: sapphire, Movement: automatic 30 jewels, incabloc, balance glucidur spring nivarox, 28800 alt., mod. rattrapante 60 sec ., 60 sec ., 30 min. , 12h. Recorders, data in dial apertures, Diam.: 38.5 H.: 13.5, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 9200, 00 (tax not included)
Other HEBDOMAS Watches
1. HEBDOMAS Jumping Hour Watch, Ref. 4001: Case: solid silver 20 m. gold plated, Front glass: esalit, Case back: mineral glass, Dial: email black or white, Movement: Vintage A. SCHILD self winding caliber, Edition: 900 Pieces n numbered on the case, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: -wooden box, Price: Euro 6,840.00 (tax not included)
2. HEBDOMAS Ref. 5002 self winding: Limited series, Case: solid silver, Front glass: esalit, Case back: mineral glass, Movement: ETA 2824 Automatic, Dial: white with roman-Arab numerals, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 3,590.00 (tax not included)
3. HEBDOMAS Skeleton Watch Ref. 3201: Case: solid silver, Front glass: esalit, Case back: mineral glass, Movement: Vintage SCHILD self winding modified, Strap: Italian hand made crocodile strap, Packaging: wooden box, Price: Euro 6,956.00 (tax not included)
