Swiss 18K yellow gold manual wound lever watch Circa 1980

Gold full hunter by Milus
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A Swiss 18 carat yellow gold hunting cased manual wound pocket watch, circa 1980. The movement with a lever escapement. Gilt dial with applied Arabic hour numerals of which the ‘2’ is missing, and baton hands. The stamped case is plain. Dial signed.
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Diameter: 39 mm
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Weight: 39 g
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Signed: Milus Swiss made
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The hanger is broken.
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Milus International S.A. was founded in 1919 by Paul William Junod in the heart of the watch industry, Bienne, Switzerland. After Paul William died, his son Paul Herbert took over the company. He overhauled the family workshops while developing new watches with innovative designs. As a result, production increased by 200% and the number of employees rose from 35 in 1951 to 50 in the 1960s. During this period, the company moved to its current headquarters at Route de Reu Chenette 19.
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During the 1970s, the company received several awards for its products, including the Rose d’Or de Baden-Baden on three occasions in the early 1970s. A model called ‘La Mer’ won in 1970, the following year it was for the ‘Pocket Watch’ and in 1973 it went to the ‘Avant-garde’ model.
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The name Milus is of Latin origin and derived from the word ‘mīles’, which means soldier or warrior. Its logo originates from the Greek god Hermes and represents both ingenuity and creativity. It originally represented Hermes himself, but while the first logo was relatively detailed, a simpler version appeared in the 1940s.
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When the quartz crisis hit in the 1970s, the company went with the current. In 1972, they started a collaboration with Glycine & Altus, Wyler, Delvina and Buttes Watches to enter the market of LCD (liquid crystal display ) watches, demonstrating a proactive approach to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements.
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Milus had quietly taken a role that combined tradition with innovation. By using its expertise and meticulous craftsmanship, the company showcases its adaptability and broad skill set. This has positioned Milus as a behind-the-scenes creator of timepieces for several high profile brands, including Aston Martin, Bucherer and designer Mario Botta.
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In 1982, Paul Herbert handed the company over to his two sons, Pierre and Paul. They further developed revolutionary watches with innovative designs, enabling the company to win several awards for the originality of its products between 1984 and 2001.
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The Junods worked tirelessly to achieve a truly contemporary watch industry that offered at democratic prices.
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To mark its 100^th anniversary in 2019, Milus returned to the market with models that are as classic as they are daring. Under Luc Tissot, the firm revived the soul of the brand with models that combine precision, technical excellence and timeless design.