Hermes Cocktail Watch - info needed

[Spice_Weasel]

Along the same lines as the inherited Rolex, my wife has this Hermes cocktail watch she inherited from her grandmother a few years ago. I have tried without success to track down some info on it. It came with a box with the name "Ciro of Bond St" and a warranty from the same dated December 1962



It appears to be silver (hallmarks on the back are what I assume is the maker's name, Y&E, plus an anchor, a lion, and a letter M), set with semi-precious stones (possibly melanite) and has a cabochon crown.

Now I understand the hallmarks to mean:
Anchor - made in Birmingham
Lion - 925 Sterling Silver
M - Year = approx 1936 or 1962 (which would be right for the receipt)

I have been unable to find out who the silver case maker is as Y&E just draws a blank in Google.

Has anyone got any ideas on further info and/or likely value?

Thanks S_W

[CraigVmax]

try over on the tz website also matey, best of luck

[Spice_Weasel]

NeMiSiS said:

Hermes in the early 1920’s and into the late 1960’s were a huge French fashion house. Early on the company specialized in saddles and other equestrian leather goods. One of their founders was the first man to introduce the zipper in France and obtained exclusive rights to its use in all its leather clothing and accessories. They moved to the design and manufacture of leather bags, neckscarfs, gloves, perfumes and clothing also dress/cocktail watches and what you might call fashion accessories of the period. They fitted their watches with various quality swiss movements of the day. They are still a revered, yet lesser know fashion label to this day.

Hermes like many of the finer names in Horology of that period, had movements supplied to them by a number of companies, including Cyma-Tavanes, Universal Geneve and even Jaeger LeCoultre. I think we all know which one we would prefer out of those three.

Without taking the back off, I would not hazard a guess as to what year, or what movement you had. Either way it is a very nice thing, and something I would keep for a while longer and not sell just yet. If I was a betting man I would go for date of manufacture 1960, with a Universal Geneve 15 Jewel movement.

Thanks Nem. Should have mentioned, but the Hermes signed dial also states 17 jewels. Don't really want to risk prising the caseback off! We will be keeping it but am considering putting the watches and jewellery onto a dedicated insurance policy so was interested in its value.

[Dr JonboyG]

NeMiSiS said:

They are still a revered, yet lesser know fashion label to this day.

I'd never have called them lesser known, but maybe that's just me. They are to LV/Chanel etc what those brands are to Coach and the like. And you can never go wrong with a Hermes tie if you're a bloke.