This is a striking 1960s-era Waltham dress watch with a genuinely rare feature for the period: a deep blue dial that has survived in excellent condition. Blue dials were far less common than silver or champagne in mid-century everyday watches, and this one delivers a rich, even tone with a subtle sunburst effect that makes the applied baguette-style markers and small-seconds register pop. The watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well, making it a very wearable vintage piece despite honest case wear.
The dial is the star here: a saturated blue field with bright applied crystalline baton markers and a crisp small-seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. In the 1960s, colored dials were often more prone to fading, spotting, or uneven discoloration, so finding one this clean is quite unusual. The case is chrome-plated base metal with a stainless steel screwback. There is significant chrome wear and brassing, most noticeably on the back side and edges; the good news is that the heaviest wear is largely out of sight when the watch is on the wrist. A new crystal has been installed, restoring clarity and giving the dial the presentation it deserves.
Inside is the Lorsa 238 in 17-jewel specification, a French-made manual-wind movement family commonly seen in 1960s Waltham-branded watches. It is a straightforward, serviceable design with a classic small-seconds layout and a traditional mid-century cadence.
Movement: Lorsa 238
Winding: Manual wind
Jewels: 17
Origin: Made in France
Display: Small seconds at 6 o'clock
This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. A new crystal has been installed, and a new crown and stem were fitted to ensure secure winding and setting. Case wear and brassing are present and reflected in the pricing, but the watch presents beautifully from the front, where it counts most.
Brand: Waltham
Year (Estimated): circa 1965–1968
Case: Chrome-plated base metal with stainless steel screwback
Case size: 35mm
Lug-to-lug: 43mm
Thickness: approx. 10mm
Lug width: 17.1mm (17mm strap)
Crystal: New
Crown/stem: New
Mid-century blue dials are one of those details collectors chase because they instantly change the character of a simple dress watch, and they are often the first thing to deteriorate with time. Finding a Waltham "Made in France" is also a treat for collectors, as it marks a specific, short-lived chapter of the company’s history before it moved entirely to Swiss and eventually Japanese production. This example stands out because the dial has held its color and texture so well, pairing rare aesthetics with a freshly serviced, ready-to-wear mechanical movement. If you like honest vintage watches with a standout dial and no mechanical drama, this one checks a lot of boxes.
This is a striking 1960s-era Waltham dress watch with a genuinely rare feature for the period: a deep blue dial that has survived in excellent condition. Blue dials were far less common than silver or champagne in mid-century everyday watches, and this one delivers a rich, even tone with a subtle sunburst effect that makes the applied baguette-style markers and small-seconds register pop. The watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well, making it a very wearable vintage piece despite honest case wear.
The dial is the star here: a saturated blue field with bright applied crystalline baton markers and a crisp small-seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. In the 1960s, colored dials were often more prone to fading, spotting, or uneven discoloration, so finding one this clean is quite unusual. The case is chrome-plated base metal with a stainless steel screwback. There is significant chrome wear and brassing, most noticeably on the back side and edges; the good news is that the heaviest wear is largely out of sight when the watch is on the wrist. A new crystal has been installed, restoring clarity and giving the dial the presentation it deserves.
Inside is the Lorsa 238 in 17-jewel specification, a French-made manual-wind movement family commonly seen in 1960s Waltham-branded watches. It is a straightforward, serviceable design with a classic small-seconds layout and a traditional mid-century cadence.
Movement: Lorsa 238
Winding: Manual wind
Jewels: 17
Origin: Made in France
Display: Small seconds at 6 o'clock
This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. A new crystal has been installed, and a new crown and stem were fitted to ensure secure winding and setting. Case wear and brassing are present and reflected in the pricing, but the watch presents beautifully from the front, where it counts most.
Brand: Waltham
Year (Estimated): circa 1965–1968
Case: Chrome-plated base metal with stainless steel screwback
Case size: 35mm
Lug-to-lug: 43mm
Thickness: approx. 10mm
Lug width: 17.1mm (17mm strap)
Crystal: New
Crown/stem: New
Mid-century blue dials are one of those details collectors chase because they instantly change the character of a simple dress watch, and they are often the first thing to deteriorate with time. Finding a Waltham "Made in France" is also a treat for collectors, as it marks a specific, short-lived chapter of the company’s history before it moved entirely to Swiss and eventually Japanese production. This example stands out because the dial has held its color and texture so well, pairing rare aesthetics with a freshly serviced, ready-to-wear mechanical movement. If you like honest vintage watches with a standout dial and no mechanical drama, this one checks a lot of boxes.
