Gübelin's own self-winding Ipso-Day in steel, built on the Felsa 694 Bidynator: the one calibre of its family with a date set by a pusher in the band. The two-tone silvered dial is clean, with the Gübelin hourglass applied above the name.
The 3 o'clock index is cut short to clear the window, which sits in a bevelled frame, with a small dot marker placed beyond it. The rest of the layout is spare: a brushed silvered field, a thin gilt ring dividing the centre from the chapter, and applied faceted batons, doubled at 12. The Gübelin hourglass is applied in relief above the printed name, and IPSO DAY sits in an oval cartouche below it, the two words joined by a small cross. Dauphine hands and a centre seconds hand run over it. The dial is clean, with no staining, touching up or wear to the printing.
- 1The hourglassThe Gübelin hourglass, applied in relief above the printed name.
- 2IPSO DAYIn an oval cartouche, the two words joined by a small cross.
- 3The dateThe 3 o'clock index is cut short to clear the window, with a small dot marker beyond it.
- 4The gilt ringA thin gilt ring divides the brushed centre from the chapter.
- 5Doubled at 12Applied faceted batons, doubled at 12.
The case is stainless steel, 35.5mm across and 43.2mm from lug to lug. A broad polished bezel carries the domed acrylic crystal up above the dial, and the long lugs taper down to a 19mm strap. The crown at 3 is plain and knurled; the pusher sits low on the opposite flank. The back snaps on, with a raised twelve-sided centre, and was engraved at some point with three initials in small serif capitals.
The dial carries the applied Gübelin hourglass and the IPSO DAY cartouche. The rotor is signed GÜBELIN and engraved TWENTY-FIVE 25 JEWELS, ADJ. TO TWO (2) POS., SWISS MADE: the jewel count in words and figures, the form required on Swiss movements imported into the United States. Inside the caseback are GÜBELIN, SWISS and the case number 185863, and the outside is engraved with the initials R·E·M. Documented Ipso-Days with the same Felsa calibre and pusher at 8 date the model to the late 1950s.
- Maker
- Gübelin, Lucerne
- Model
- Ipso-Day
- Calibre
- Felsa 694 Bidynator, automatic, 25 jewels, adjusted to two positions
- Functions
- Centre seconds, date at 3 with quick-set pusher at 8
- Case
- Stainless steel, snap back, case no. 185863
- Diameter
- 35.5mm
- Lug to lug
- 43.2mm
- Lug width
- 19mm
- Crystal
- Domed acrylic
- Dial
- Two-tone silvered, applied baton indices, signed Gübelin Ipso Day
- Strap
- Navy leather (replacement), steel pin buckle
- Year
- C.1955-1960
- Box and papers
- None
- Warranty
- 12 months, mechanical, through Vintage Times Amsterdam from date of delivery
12-month mechanical warranty through Vintage Times Amsterdam from date of delivery.
