Doxa Neuchatel, Ref. 565.005.56, Cal. AS 5206, Men’s Automatic, 1976

Deep Blue Dial with Red Seconds and Day-Date Display

The blue dial gives this Doxa much of its character. Its smooth dark surface shifts between navy and lighter blue depending on the angle of the light, while applied silver-tone baton markers keep the layout clean and distinctly mid-1970s. Slim luminous-filled hour and minute hands sit clearly against the dial, and the bright red central seconds hand provides a strong color contrast without making the design feel overly sporty.

A framed day-date aperture at 3 o’clock adds practical functionality while preserving the overall balance of the dial. DOXA by SYNCHRON is printed beneath 12, with NEUCHATEL automatic positioned above 6 o’clock. The dial remains notably clean for its age, with crisp printing, well-preserved applied markers and only light evidence of normal vintage aging.

Compact 35 mm Stainless-Steel Case with Short 39 mm Proportions

The stainless-steel case measures approximately 35 mm across and only 39 mm lug to lug, giving the watch a compact, balanced stance on the wrist. Broad polished flanks and rounded shoulders frame the circular dial opening, while the relatively short lug-to-lug dimension keeps the case visually concentrated rather than elongated. The 18 mm lug width suits the proportions well and gives the strap enough presence without overpowering the case.

The case remains especially clean for a watch approaching fifty years of age, with strong surfaces and clearly defined transitions still visible. A new black leather strap with blue stitching has been fitted, echoing the dial color while remaining clearly separate from the original watch components. The combination gives the watch a slightly more contemporary presentation without altering its original mechanical and visual identity.

AS 5206 Automatic Day-Date Movement — Fully Serviced

Inside is the Swiss AS Cal. 5206, a 17-jewel automatic movement with central sweep seconds, day-date display and Incabloc shock protection. The caliber operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers approximately 39 hours of power reserve, placing it squarely within the generation of Swiss automatic movements developed during the mid-1970s immediately before quartz technology began reshaping the industry.

The movement has been fully serviced and the watch is fully operational. It is currently measuring approximately +1 second per day under present test conditions, an excellent observed result for a vintage automatic watch. That figure represents its current measured performance rather than a permanent accuracy guarantee. A 12-month movement warranty is included, and comparable pieces can be found among our automatic vintage watches.

Doxa by Synchron from the Neuchâtel Era

This 1976 example belongs to Doxa’s Synchron period, when Doxa, Cyma and Ernest Borel operated within the same Swiss group. The DOXA by SYNCHRON and NEUCHATEL dial signatures place the watch firmly within that chapter of the brand’s history, giving the otherwise restrained design an identifiable historical context beyond its specifications alone.

Ref. 565.005.56 combines the practical qualities of a day-date automatic with the compact proportions and understated styling typical of the period. Its preserved blue dial, original watch components, fully serviced AS 5206 movement and measured +1 sec/day current rate make this a particularly complete example from Doxa’s 1970s production. Other models from the marque can be explored through our vintage Doxa watches.