A sharp, design-forward 1970s automatic with a genuinely “toolwatch” presence in a very wearable format. The cushion/tonneau stainless steel case wears larger than the numbers suggest, helped by the broad surfaces and the confident 19 mm strap width. The dial is the star: a deep velvet-blue tone paired with a high-contrast white minute track, small red accents, and tall applied silver indices that catch the light beautifully. A subtle detail collectors love: the seconds hand has a specially bent tip, engineered to clear the high-rise indices without touching them – an elegant, functional solution typical of the era’s creative watchmaking. Condition and finish: the case brushing/polishing has been updated in our workshop, presenting crisp and fresh while staying true to the original geometry. The watch retains its original signed Sandoz crown, and the caseback stands out with an unusually graphic layout and a prominent Sandoz shield emblem. Vintage Sandoz watches Sandoz is a historic Swiss name associated with Henri Frederic Sandoz and the industrial watchmaking boom in the Jura region. Through the mid-20th century the brand appears across a wide range of robust, well-made Swiss mechanical watches – often practical automatics like this one, built around proven ébauche movements and aimed at everyday reliability rather than flash. Specifications Brand: Sandoz Model: “Velvet Blue” automatic date Year: 1970s Reference: 1738Z-84-5 Movement: FHF calibre 905, automatic, 25 jewels Case: Stainless steel “toolwatch” case, brushed/polished finish refreshed in our workshop Crown: Original crown with Sandoz logo Dial: Deep velvet blue with white printed track, red accents, applied silver indices Hands: Polished steel hands; unique bent-tip seconds hand for index clearance Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date at 3 o’clock Strap: Genuine leather strap, 19 mm Servicing and Warranty Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop Mechanics in full working order 12-month movement warranty Warranty Terms and Conditions No water resistance warranty