Valjoux 72 Based Chronographs

[John Cote]

As a wristwatch collector/nerd, I am mostly a collector of chronographs from the '40s through the '70s. There are several threads to my chrono collection but one of them is all of the different Swiss movements the different brands used. Probably the most famous, ubiquitous and arguably the best of these movements was the venerable ValJoux 72. This movement was used by almost all of the brands including Rolex in the early Cosmographs/Daytonas and even Patek Philippe in some of their early and most sought after vintage chronos.

Anyway, please post some of your favorite VJ-72 based chronos here. I will start with one I found last week. I have been looking for one of these for years since first seeing one in a pawn shop in South Bend, Indiana but being too cheap to buy it. This one came from the collection of a late friend of mine who owned a jewelry store which had been a dealer for Wittnauer watches and if it wasn't missing a bit of lume in the main hands, which is typical, I would almost think it was New Old Stock. It does have its original box.

 

[captainscarlet]

I love chronographs……This chronograph was bought in 1948 by a guy who wasn’t afraid to splash the cash. He paid 33 New Zealand pounds (a third of a mans annual salary) for it. I have many watches but this is my favourite. Still with it’s original box, strap and buckle.

 

[John Cote]

I love chronographs……This chronograph was bought in 1948 by a guy who wasn’t afraid to splash the cash. He paid 33 New Zealand pounds (a third of a mans annual salary) for it. I have many watches but this is my favourite. Still with it’s original box, strap and buckle.

I love Eterna as a brand. I am not sure I have ever seen an example of this one in such nice shape. Is it a VJ-72?

 

[Wimberleytech]

Here is my sad 72. My Dad gave it to me when I was 18 or so. He was a watchmaker and owned his own business. I think the list price was about $75 in the early 70's.
When I returned to watchmaking two years ago, I got this watch out and wound it a little aggressively and broke the ratchet wheel (I think) which is a common issue with these.
I have since ordered a new ratchet wheel, but have not fixed the watch YET because I am honing my skills first. My plan is to fix it in 2023. Not sure how many watches I have serviced since returning (I say return, because my Dad taught me when I was a teen, but I never pursued it further--my career went another way) but I would guess maybe 50. I might be ready to attack this watch now, but I am still gonna wait until next year.

 

[captainscarlet]

I love Eterna as a brand. I am not sure I have ever seen an example of this one in such nice shape. Is it a VJ-72?

Yes it is a VJ-72 John, otherwise I wouldn’t have posted it and with a case diameter of 38mm wears really well.

 

[John Cote]

Here is my sad 72. My Dad gave it to me when I was 18 or so....

I hope you mean sad only because of its present condition with you will certainly remedy soon enough. I love these Wits with bezels. Thanks for posting and please post photos of the watchmaking you do on it when you do it.

 

[John Cote]

Yes it is a VJ-72 John, otherwise I wouldn’t have posted it and with a case diameter of 38mm wears really well.

38mm is perfection for these no bezel dressy tool watches.

 

[John Cote]

OK, one more before I sign off for dinner and an NAWCC board meeting. This is probably my favorite VJ 72 of the few that I own. It is a LeCoultre Master Mariner in 18k gold. The Master Mariner line had screw-back sort of water proof/resistant cases which is a great thing if you live in a humid place or if you sweat or both. The VJ 72 in this watch is finished much better than the standard (like the Wittnauer I poste earlier) although not nearly to the standard of the Patek version. The dial on this watch is very strange. The guy who sold it to me at the an NAWCC National mart didn't like it. I love it. It changes color in different light and goes from rainbow to white silver. I also love that it has both a pulsation and a tachymeter scale.

 

[Pmp]

Concord Chrono with Valjoux 72 Just back from overhaul/restoration in Switzerland.