Cronel Watch Tank Mini Format Steel — Black Textured Dial (1980s)
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Movement checked & guaranteed for 1 year
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Atelier Note
Eighteen millimetres wide, a slate-like grained black, a stretched 12 and 6 at either end of the rectangle, twelve white markers drawn tightly around the centre: the little tank that takes up no more space than a ring, on its original strap.
Cronel Vintage Watch from the 1980s, mini tank format in steel with a grained black dial
This Cronel vintage watch is a mini-format tank: 18mm wide and 31.4mm long, the reduced format of slim shaped watches from the 1970s and 1980s. Cronel, its signature beneath a stylised crown, is a small Swiss assembly brand known for 17-jewel watches for men and women, though neither the house nor the catalogue is documented; the dial reads 17 jewels and Swiss Made, indicating a Swiss lever movement. The design does the rest: a grained black dial, a stretched 12 and 6 at either end, twelve white hour markers drawn tightly around the centre, two white hands. A mechanical watch with two hands, on its original strap and Buckle.
Its original black dial is grained, a fine texture that catches the light like slate. The 12 and 6, elongated vertically in a 1970s typeface, occupy the two ends of the rectangle; between them, a rectangle of twelve white baton markers frames the original white baton hands. Beneath the stylised crown, Cronel; 17 jewels beneath the hands; Swiss Made at the bottom. No seconds hand.
The steel tank case, 18mm wide, 31.4mm in Lug-to-lug and 8.3mm thick, has a slim polished bezel, with a steel caseback, an original crown and an acrylic Crystal. The 17-jewel hand-wound mechanical movement has been checked by our partner watchmakers and is guaranteed for one year. The watch is fitted with its original 13mm black leather strap, old and to be handled with care, with its original Buckle.
Three points to note
01
Mini format — 18mm wide, 31.4mm long, 8.3mm thick: a tank worn like a piece of jewellery.
02
Grained black, stretched 12 and 6 — 1970s typography on a textured dial, twelve white markers.
03
Original strap and Buckle — the black leather with which the watch was sold, old, to be handled with care.
Why choose a small vintage watch?
This Cronel vintage watch holds a distinct place among men's and women's vintage watches: its 18mm mini format can be worn by either, in the spirit of the small shaped watches of those years, and it features a grained black dial with assertive typography, on its original strap. A shaped vintage mechanical watch, at an accessible entry-level price for authentic vintage.
Like all our vintage mechanical watches, this one has been opened and inspected by our partner watchmakers: movement check, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Every vintage watch we offer comes with an Atelier Victor invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.
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Technical characteristics
- Brand: Cronel
- Model: Tank mini format, two hands
- Estimated year: 1980s
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Hand-wound mechanical, 17 jewels, checked
- Functions: Hours, minutes
- Case: Steel, rectangular tank, steel caseback
- Width: 18mm (20mm including the crown)
- Lug to lug: 31.4mm
- Thickness: 8.3mm
- Lug width: 13mm
- Crown: Steel, original
- Dial: Grained black, elongated 12 and 6, white baton hour markers, original
- Hands: White baton, original
- Crystal: Acrylic (condition 9/10)
- Strap: Black leather, original, period
- Buckle: Original
Condition and guarantee
- Overall condition: Well preserved for its age. The original black dial is clean, with crisp numerals, hour markers, and hands. The steel case shows light signs of wear, which our photographs show without retouching. The acrylic Crystal is in very good condition (9/10). The original strap is period: it should be handled with care and may prove fragile in use.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanical: Checked movement, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice Atelier Victor
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
Who is Cronel?
A small Swiss assembly brand, absent from the books: it is known for 17-jewel men's and women's watches, signed beneath a stylized crown, but with neither manufacture nor catalogue. Like hundreds of workshops of the period, it bought its movements from ébauche makers, and its cases and dials from other specialists. It is chosen for its design, not for its signature.
Is the original strap usable?
It is original, which is rare, and old: the leather is as old as the watch and may prove fragile in use. We deliver it as is; the Lug width of 13mm allows a new strap to be fitted for daily wear while preserving the original.
Why such a small size?
Eighteen millimetres wide: this is the format of small shaped watches from the 1970s and 1980s, worn like a piece of jewelry. On the wrist, the elongated tank at 31.4mm and its large 12 and 6 give it more presence than its dimensions might suggest.
Has the movement been checked?
Yes. Our partner watchmakers have checked the 17-jewel movement, the dial, the hands and the case; it is guaranteed for one year. A hand-wound watch is wound every day, and a vintage watch is not guaranteed water-resistant.
Is this piece suitable for a slim wrist?
Yes: at 18mm wide, 31.4mm in Lug-to-lug and 8.3mm thick, it suits wrists of approximately 13 to 16cm — a guide, never a rule: everyone wears what they like. The Lug width measures 13mm.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.
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