Sandoz Monsoon

We’ll be damned if the 1970s didn’t produce some of the funkiest watch designs of any time in history.

From colorful divers to bullhead chronographs, from complicated masterworks to oddball dress watches, the ‘70s was by far the grooviest horological decade of them all. Sandoz, a company that took numerous forms as its founder, Henri Frédéric Sandoz, merged his business with the Schwob family, was no stranger to these extra-funky trends, as is evidenced by the Monsoon that we’re happy to offer here. While it’s not quite a dive watch, it’s also not quite…anything else that’s readily categorizable. It’s just cool as hell!

Housed in a 39.5mm stainless steel cushion case with dual crowns, an acrylic crystal, and a stainless steel bezel, it features a bright orange dial with striking applied steel indices, a matching handset with orange striping, a black rehaut with a printed minute track and a recessed month indicator at 12:00, and a day-date indicator at 3:00. 

Powered by a 25-jewel automatic movement and paired to a stainless steel flat-link bracelet with a removable extension and a signed blade clasp, the Monsoon is simply a tremendously cool everyday watch that screams confidence and joie de vivre. 

Watches such as this one are fun and wonderful timepieces, and there's no telling if and when one of these in any condition, let alone excellent condition such as this example, will surface again.

So don't wait!

The history of Sandoz watches is about as simple and straightforward as the British royal family tree, but it goes something like this: In the 1870s, Henri Frédéric Sandoz founded Henri Sandoz & Cie, which produced complicated timepieces under the Cyma name. In 1890, he partnered with the Schwob family, establishing watchmaking facilities near Tavannes, in the Jura Mountains.
This entity, known as Tavannes Watch Co, made timepieces under the Tavannes name, the Cyma name, the Sandoz name, and more. By the time of Sandoz’s death in 1913, it was spitting out some 2,500 watches per day. By 1938, that daily figure was pegged at roughly 4,000.
Following various licensing agreements, the Sandoz name has, since 1971, been split into four different entities based in Singapore, Honk Kong, Switzerland, and Spain. Each entity utilizes the Sandoz name but retains its own line of products, with the Honk Kong company, for example, utilizing ETA movements but assembling its watches in Hong Kong.
Vintage Sandoz watches include funky hits like the Monsoon, numerous mechanical chronographs, time-only mechanical watches, and more. Affordable and wide-ranging in style and use case, they serve as a testament to the industriousness of the company’s founder.

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 one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

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

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.