Judex 'Art Deco' Hour Repeater

Regular price: $11,950
Regular price
Sale price: $11,950
Unit price: per

Manual-winding

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SKU	AS11869
Article Number	40993017
movement	Manual-winding
approximate age	1930s
dial color	White
material	Stainless Steel
style	Dress
category	Vintage
bracelet	Leather
lug width	17 MM
Includes	blue leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle.
overall condition	good overall condition with consistent wear from age. the crystal, markers, and hands are in good condition while the white dial has some earned patina.

Manual-winding

– Show less

SKU	AS11869
Article Number	40993017
movement	Manual-winding
approximate age	1930s
dial color	White
material	Stainless Steel
style	Dress
category	Vintage
bracelet	Leather
lug width	17 MM
Includes	blue leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle.
overall condition	good overall condition with consistent wear from age. the crystal, markers, and hands are in good condition while the white dial has some earned patina.

Details

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There’s something deliciously on-the-nose about a watch called Judex—a timekeeper named after a shadowy vigilante, designed in an era when mystery itself was a kind of luxury. This Art Deco repeater feels less like a mere object and more like a prop from a lost reel of early cinema: all atmosphere, geometry, and quiet intrigue. It is said that Judex was a precursor to The Shadow, who was, in turn, a precursor to Batman!

Dating to the 1930s, this piece captures the moment when watch design began to break from classical round forms and find inspiration in the modern world. The elongated rectangular case—very much in the “Tank” lineage—leans architectural, with sharp edges softened just enough by age. The dial is where things really come alive: stylized Arabic numerals with a slightly surreal tilt, a railroad minute track framing the composition, and blued syringe hands that feel both clinical and romantic. The ivory tone has mellowed beautifully, giving the whole thing that soft, cinematic patina collectors chase but rarely find intact.

And then there’s the party trick. A repeater—activated via the slide on the case—was never about showing off (at least originally). It was about discretion, about telling time in the dark. Today, of course, it’s pure theater. A mechanical whisper from another century, chiming out hours and minutes with a kind of analog poetry.

Judex, the brand, didn’t survive the mid-century, but pieces like this make a strong case for why it is such a wonderful surprise and should still be remembered. It’s a watch that sits at the intersection of storytelling, design, and complication—equal parts French fantasy and Swiss practicality.

A very special find and a fabulous example of fascinating fairly unknown watch history!

Brand Story

Judex was founded in 1914 in Villers-le-Lac, a cradle of French watchmaking near the Swiss border, and took its name from the masked vigilante of early 20th-century French cinema—a fitting emblem of mystery and precision. The brand produced distinctive timepieces through the interwar period, often reflecting the bold geometry and stylistic experimentation of the Art Deco era. In 1949, Judex relocated to Nice, but like many smaller European makers navigating post-war economic pressures, it struggled to adapt and ultimately ceased operations in 1953. Today, surviving examples offer a glimpse into a more cinematic chapter of watchmaking, where design, storytelling, and craft were tightly intertwined.

A:S Guarantee

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Shipping & Returns

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

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