Vintage NIGA Swiss Chronograph Watch – Landeron 51 – Gold Plated – c.1940s–50s
Description
A handsome vintage Swiss chronograph by Niga, dating to approximately the 1940s–1950s. This classic two-register chronograph is powered by the respected Landeron 51 manual-wind movement and features an attractive multi-scale dial with applied Arabic numerals.
The watch is in good working order, winding smoothly and ticking along nicely, with the chronograph starting, stopping, and resetting correctly. A very wearable mid-century chronograph with honest age-related wear.
Brand History – Niga
Niga was a Swiss watch brand established in the early 1930s in the Jura region of Switzerland, an area long associated with traditional watchmaking. The brand is understood to have been founded by Georges Gagnebin together with his cousin Armand Nicolet, operating under the firm G. Gagnebin & Cie.
Drawing on a family watchmaking background, Niga produced a range of mechanical timepieces including wristwatches, chronographs, and pocket watches. Like many independent Swiss marques of the period, the company focused on quality construction and reliable movements rather than mass-market branding.
Niga watches were produced into the mid-20th century before the firm ceased operations, a fate shared by many small Swiss houses. Today, original Niga chronographs are relatively scarce and increasingly appreciated by collectors for their authenticity, classic styling, and period-correct Swiss engineering.
Movement – Landeron 51
This watch is fitted with the Landeron 51 calibre, a manual-wind chronograph movement introduced in the late 1930s and widely used throughout the 1940s and early 1950s.
The Landeron 51 is an early cam-switched chronograph and represents an important development in chronograph design, offering robust construction and easier servicing compared to earlier column-wheel movements. Landeron supplied chronograph movements to a wide range of Swiss brands, and their calibres are now firmly established as collectable movements in their own right.
Dial
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Signed “NIGA”
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Marked “Antimagnetique”, “17 Rubis”, “Swiss Made”
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Two subsidiary registers
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Multi-scale outer track
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Dial and hands in excellent condition with light, even patina
Case
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Gold plated case showing wear to the plating, consistent with age
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Stainless steel back with visible pitting
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Pushers and crown operate correctly
Crystal & Strap
Dimensions
Condition
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In good working order
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Winds and ticks along nicely
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Chronograph functions correctly
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Case shows cosmetic wear and plating loss
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Stainless steel back with pitting
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Dial and crystal in excellent condition
Summary
A well-preserved mid-century Swiss chronograph by Niga, powered by the dependable and collectable Landeron 51 movement. With its clean dial, fully functioning chronograph, and documented brand heritage, this watch represents an excellent and increasingly desirable vintage timepiece.
As usual, this item will be packaged carefully and dispatched with tracking. International shipping is available upon request.
Important notes about vintage watches
This is a vintage mechanical watch. While it is currently running and the chronograph functions correctly, accuracy and long-term reliability cannot be guaranteed. Service history is unknown, and a service is recommended for regular use. The watch is sold as a vintage collectible rather than a modern timepiece.
