Le Saleve

Le Saleve, Swiss, made for IF (Isotta Fraschini), 1920's. Very fine and rare, large, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with single button chronograph, register and tachometer. three body, massive, polished, hinged back, wire lugs, chronograph push-button on the 6, ball-shaped winding-crown, Isotta Fraschini logo on the back. white enamel with painted red and black Breguet numerals, auxiliary seconds and 30 minutes register dials, outer tachometer graduation. "Breguet" blued steel hands. Notes Le Saleve was a brand of Blum & Ostersetzer S.A. (Bienne), who were specialized in watch production for Italy. They were the sole agents for Longines in Italy. Isotta Fraschini This car brand was founded in Milan on 27 January 1900 by Cesare Isotta, and brothers Antonio, Oreste and Vincenzo Fraschini. This car raised immediate interest for the technical accuracy of its models. Thanks to important financial funds, the excellent reputation of its founders and particularly the knowhow of its engineers such as Giustino Cattaneo, the Milanese firm very soon asserted itself as the Italian alternative to foreign luxury cars. From 1903, they started production of big cars with 4 cylinders and took part in many competitions. They won the Targa Florio in 1908. After a short association with the French firm Lorraine-Dietrich, the brand regained its independence. In 1909 they diversified their production in trucks as well as railway, naval and aeronautical engines. Circa 1911, Giustin Read more…