Swiss nickel travel watch with eight day movement Circa 1930

Travel watch with center seconds
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A travel watch with an eight day movement and center seconds in the original case, made by the Fabrique d’Horlogerie Octo in la Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, circa 1930. The case of this watch was crafted from nickel and the white enamel dial features an outer seconds, minutes and hour track with black Arabic hour numerals, center seconds, steel hands and is marked ‘8 jours‘. The patented eight day movement is fitted with a lever escapement, six jewels and is unadjusted.
The original sales box and the movement are signed.
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Diameter: 66 mm
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Signed: Octidi Watch C^O, Switzerland
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Octidi Watch Co.

The history of Octidi Watch Co. is primarily rooted in the Swiss brand Octo, which became famous for its 8 day power reserve movements (the name “Octidi” or “Octo” referencing this duration). The brand’s roots trace back to Henri Ulysse Tolck, a watchmaker in Fleurier who was producing pocket watches as early as 1848, including an 8 day model. In 1916, Ernest Tolck (Ulysse’s son) purchased the business of Marc Dubois & Cie in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He began heavily advertising his workshop as the “Fabrique d’Horlogerie Octo”.
The original Swiss company ceased operations in the late 1960’s. In 1972, the brand and its model names were acquired by Chung Nam of Hong Kong, which briefly restarted production through the 1970’s and 80’s. Today, vintage Octo and Octidi 8-day pocket watches remain sought after by collectors for their historical mechanical longevity.
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Range
The history of the jeweller W. Range in Kassel spans 200 years, evolving from a local goldsmith workshop into a prestigious establishment that served various royal courts. The business was founded on September 3, 1824, by the gold- and silversmith master Friedrich Proll.
Wilhelm Range (1823–1892), took over the business in 1854 from his father-in-law, Friedrich Proll, it was Wilhelm who established the “Range” name as a hallmark of quality and eventually earned the prestigious title of Court Jeweller.

Since then, the name has been passed down through several generations, including his son Fritz Wilhelm and grandson Georg-Wilhelm. In 2024, “Juwelier W. Range” celebrated its 200 year jubilee.