Alanbury Watches

Alanbury Watches

Alanbury is one of those mystery dial signatures that show up in vintage collections, swap meets, and drawer finds — usually Swiss-made, often charming, and almost

always off the mainstream radar.

If you’re into vintage watches for the aesthetics, the curiosity, and the thrill of the hunt — not the hype — Alanbury is a fun rabbit hole.

A Little History

There’s very little concrete information on the origin of Alanbury as a brand. Most signs point to it being a private-label or export-market name, likely active from the 1950s

through the early 1970s — a time when Switzerland was full of small-scale assemblers producing manual-wind watches for department stores, regional jewelers

or rebranded resale.

Alanbury dials typically read “Swiss Made” or “Swiss,” and cases tend to be chrome-plated or steel, with manual movements from A. Schild, FHF, or early ETA. The designs follow

the modest, functional aesthetic of the era — sunburst silver dials, applied indices, small seconds, and slim hands.

In short? A microbrand before microbrands were a thing.

What Collectors Love

Alanbury watches aren’t collector grails — but they are collectible in the sense that they’re:

  • Inexpensive entry points to real vintage mechanical watches

  • Often good-looking, with well-proportioned cases and lightly patinated dials

  • Fitted with reliable, serviceable Swiss calibers

  • Fun to find, fun to restore, and easy to wear

  • Sometimes fitted with unusual or region-specific dial variants

Typical Alanbury traits include:

  • 34–36mm cases, usually chrome or steel

  • Manual-wind movements from FHF, ETA, or A. Schild

  • Signed dials with 1950s–60s style numerals or baton markers

  • Occasional complications like date windows or center seconds

Why Alanbury Deserves a Spot

Because not every vintage piece has to be a $10K chronograph or a grail diver.

Alanbury represents a slice of mid-century Swiss watchmaking that’s honest, accessible, and historically real — a time when hundreds of small brands were producing

mechanical watches for a growing global middle class. Many of these watches are still ticking today, and they have charm in spades.

For vintage lovers, Alanbury is a great example of the joy of the hunt — and proof that you don’t need a big name on the dial to enjoy the hobby.

What’s Out There Now

Everything Alanbury is vintage — no modern revival exists (yet).

Expect to find:

  • Manual-wind dress watches — 34mm, domed acrylic crystals, applied markers

  • Occasional automatics — less common, usually 36mm or larger

  • Date window or small seconds variants

  • Dials in silver, champagne, or black, often with radial brushing or sunburst effects

  • Movement stamps usually show ETA, AS, or FHF base calibers

Prices are modest: $100–$400, depending on condition and originality. These are fun-to-wear, easy-to-service watches with low buy-in and decent longevity.

Fed’s Take

Alanbury is vintage without the stress. You’re not babying it. You’re not insuring it. You’re just wearing a cool old mechanical watch, made in Switzerland, from a brand

nobody else at the table recognizes — and that’s part of the fun.

I’ve seen some Alanbury pieces with great dials and tidy little ETA calibers inside. Perfect daily beaters, perfect starter pieces, and a reminder that this hobby still has hidden

gems if you know where to look.

Check Out Our Alanbury Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique Alanbury watches — especially manual-wind 

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