Preliminary identification

Bradford Dual-Time Tank Watch

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

A distinctive 'tank' style wristwatch featuring a dual-dial complication, allowing the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously. The elongated rectangular case and minimalist Roman numerals evoke the classic Art Deco aesthetic popularized by Cartier.

Story

Frequent flyers in the pre-digital age relied on dual-dial watches to stay connected to home. This Bradford model brought the jet-set sophistication of the 1930s into the modern quartz era for the everyday traveler.

Maker / Origin

Bradford was a mid-market brand often associated with department store distribution or catalog sales. They specialized in 'homage' designs, taking high-end luxury silhouettes and making them accessible to a wider audience through reliable quartz technology.

Condition & Value

The case shows some surface scratching and wear to the plating consistent with age. The crystal appears clear, but the functionality of the movements cannot be determined without testing. Non-working condition reduces value to the low end of the range. Value is driven by the 'dual time' novelty and the popular tank shape.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.