1960s Blancpain Rayville Ultra Thin Dress Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1960s
Maker / issuer
BlancpainThis Blancpain Rayville wristwatch from the 1960s is a manual-wind mechanical dress watch featuring a stainless steel case measuring 34mm in diameter. The watch features a silver-tone dial with baton markers and simple baton hands.
The design emphasizes a slim profile, consistent with mid-twentieth-century Swiss manufacturing trends focused on movement efficiency and reduced case thickness. The watch is presented on a modern leather strap with a generic buckle. The auction description reports that the stainless steel case retains its vintage proportions, and the dial shows signs of wear primarily on the right side. The movement is described as mechanical.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- Silver-tone
- Type
- Ultra-thin dress watch
- Year
- 1960s
- Brand
- Blancpain
- Model
- Rayville Ultra Thin
- Case Size
- 34mm
- Case Material
- Stainless Steel
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Blancpain
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a 34mm stainless steel case characterized by its slender profile and traditional proportions. The case back is plain, featuring only the engraved serial number 16856. The auction description reports that the case retains its original vintage dimensions and character. The silver-tone dial remains in its original state, though visible wear is noted on the right-hand side of the dial surface. The crystal is described as clear, and the overall construction emphasizes a discreet and thin silhouette.
- Visible features
- • Silver-tone dial with baton hour markers • Signed "Blancpain Since 1735" on the dial • Serial number 16856 engraved on the case back • Stainless steel case with slim profile
- Signatures and History
- The inclusion of the "Rayville" name in the model designation links the piece to a historical period during the twentieth century when the Rayville company was connected to the Blancpain manufacture. This watch is highlighted as a product of the 1960s, a period when Swiss watchmakers were moving toward increasingly refined and understated designs for daily wear. The piece serves as an example of the manufacturer's output during a time when mechanical watchmaking was transitioning toward thinner and more simplified, classical aesthetic profiles.
- Movement and Functionality
- The watch is powered by a mechanical movement, although the specific caliber is not identified in the provided documentation. The watch functions as a time-only piece, prioritizing a clean, uncluttered interface. The absence of additional complications allows the watch to maintain a thin profile, which the source identifies as an accomplishment in mechanical refinement and efficiency for the period.
Identification
- Serial number
- 16856
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement details not specified beyond "mechanical"
- Research required: Exact year of manufacture within the 1960s is not verified