Looks pretty ordinary from the front, doesn't it? But turn it over and you soon realize this is a special watch with its hand-setting lever at the back and the two battery hatches.

The R 27 appeared in 1958, only a few months after Hamilton's 500, the World's First Electric Watch, but to my eyes at least, the R 27 looks more robust and it benefits from the addition of that crucial diode to prevent sparking across the contacts.

I love all things about this watch: the lovely stainless steel case, the under-stated dial, the fabulous looking movement. I hope the following series of photographs captures this fine and rare watch.