Aureole

 By Bruce Shawkey

Ran across this interesting ad in the March/April 1954 issue of Swiss Horological Journal for Aureole watches. A lot of vintage watch collectors haven't even heard of Aureole. But they have a long history going back to 1868 when the company was founded as Aureole Watch Co M. Choffat & Cie., in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

This particular ad shows a very attractive model with sweep second hand and leather band. You just never know what treasures you will find at a watch show. You could very well find an Aureole watch in a dealer's "junk box" for $50 (or even less). The lesson for today: Keep your eyes open!

Here's another watch from the mid-1950s:

Here's another ad for a slender no-frills manual-wind model, when other manufacturers were promoting models with all sorts of bells and whistles ... alarms, chronographs, etc.