Hand Wind Watch Appraisal

Vantage 17-Jewels Ladies' Manual-Wind Wristwatch

This is a vintage ladies' manual-wind wristwatch by the brand Vantage. The watch features an oval-shaped, possibly chrome-plated or stainless steel case with a faceted crystal, giving it a distinctive and decorative appearance that reflects light in various angles. The dial is light in color, likely white or cream, with a subtle pearlescent or textured finish. It displays the brand name 'VANTAGE' prominently below the 12 o'clock position (which is represented by an Arabic numeral '12'), and '17-JEWELS' is inscribed above the 6 o'clock mark (also an Arabic numeral '6'). The other hour markers appear to be stick indices, possibly gold-toned, matching the color of the hour and minute hands. The watch is equipped with a fluted crown for setting the time and winding the movement. The attached bracelet is an expandable or stretch-band style, composed of multiple links, primarily silver-toned, with some components appearing to have a gold-toned finish, suggesting a two-tone design or a base metal with plating. The lug connection to the watch head features a stylized, possibly art deco inspired, 'V' shape where the bracelet attaches. The overall condition shows signs of use commensurate with age, including potential wear to the plating on the case and bracelet, and minor scratching on the crystal, though no major damage like cracks is immediately visible. The aesthetic suggests a mid-20th century (e.g., 1950s-1970s) style period, characterized by smaller, more delicate designs for women's watches and the use of manual-wind movements. The '17-jewels' inscription indicates a reasonably good quality mechanical movement for its time, suggesting decent craftsmanship.