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| Reader David's LE Issigonis watch. |
David tells us: "I recently acquired a watch, photos attached. Apart from what is on the watch face and rear, I can't find much more about it. Found one for sale on eBay USA in 2014, and a picture of another on a different auction site of the watch in a wood presentation box and a Mini Cooper certificate."
The face of the watch has mellow yellow colour to it with three oval dials, looking very Mini speedo-like. Lettering on the face of the watch describes it as part of the 'Alec Issigonis Series', and a 'Limited Edition 1,000 Units'. A late '90s Mini logo is also present and correct.
On the reverse the back of the watch is engraved with information about it, stating 'Alec Issigonis The father of Mini. Limited Edition 0089/1000'. As well as a date of 1998 and engraving stating it was produced by the Rover Group.
We contacted Chris Barker, a Mini watch collector, who was as puzzled as the rest of the internet. "Unfortunately I can't give specific information on the watch you have, as it's the first time I've ever seen one of that particular design before!"
What I can say, however, is it looks very similar in style to a few I
have, which I believe were made under license from the Rover Group, and
manufactured/ sold in/ around Cyprus. It certainly would appear to be a
genuine authorised item as the logo is correct and clear, indicating
that the original logo artwork was released to the manufacturers of it.
The rear of the watch also fit with the styles I have in my collection.Chris sent us some photos of his watches for comparison, and the similarities are striking.
Both the colour of the face and the rear engraving of the Spiritual Mini watch match up exactly to the mystery Issigonis watch from reader David.
Chris says, "Well I can't say definitively where it came from either manufacture or where it was first sold, but the few watches of similar style to this and the ones I have were for sale in the Cyprus and Greece areas. One of the watches I have has a little guarantee card which is stamped from a shop in Cyprus with the original sale date and some do say they have a "japan movement" on them."
He continues; "More recently I've taken delivery of another watch - this time a Mini 40 special edition watch - one that was a competition prize (with letter proving it) - the guarantee card states the manufacturer of those was a company in Japan."
If you have any information about this watch, please contact us at editor@love-mini.co.uk
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| Chris' other watches. |
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