The Tressa Laser Beam captures a fascinating chapter of Swiss watchmaking — when brands sought to combine futuristic design with traditional mechanics to stand out in an increasingly crowded mid-century market. This 33mm gold-toned piece embodies that spirit perfectly, pairing sleek mid-century styling with a robust 17-jewel manual-wind movement, delivering the dependability and character collectors value today.
The dial, finished in deep grey with gilt accents, is understated yet visually dynamic, creating an interplay of light that lives up to the Laser Beam name. Its faceted indices and gold dauphine hands evoke the optimism of the 1960s, while the sculpted lugs — sharp and pronounced — give the watch a distinctive, almost architectural presence on the wrist.
Tressa, a Swiss brand known for its daring case shapes and inventive marketing, often positioned its watches as “modern luxury for the forward-thinking gentleman.” The Laser Beam series was part of that vision — symbolic of postwar progress and the fascination with technology and precision that defined the era. Despite their accessible pricing when new, these watches were built to a high standard, featuring anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, and stainless-steel-backed construction, all proudly signed “Swiss Made.”
Today, the Tressa Laser Beam stands out as a collectible that blends style, substance, and story — a relic of an age when even everyday mechanical watches carried the ambition of the space race and the optimism of a rapidly modernizing world.
Key Features
Reference: 516
Movement: Swiss Manual-Wind, 17 Jewels
Case Size: 33mm (Gold-plated case, stainless-steel back)
Dial: Deep grey with gold indices and dauphine hands
Caseback: Signed “Tressa Swiss – Antimagnetic, Shockprotected”
Strap: Blue leather (aftermarket)
Period: 1960s–1970s
Provenance: Mid-century Swiss watch with futuristic design cues from Tressa’s Laser Beam series