The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 2 January 2021, 08:18 AM   #1
SunTzu
"TRF" Member
 
SunTzu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
Vintage Chronographs? Post them!

I wanted to take the time to showcase a very cool, vintage chronograph. It’s an “Election Chronometre” Pulsations with a Valjoux 22. The gold plated case has hooded, fixed lugs. I was completely enamored with it when I first saw it for sale in South America. However, the case was in horrid condition. The gold plating wore off in many spots. The case and case back were heavily scratched and dented. The hooded lugs were bent and the pushers were missing. It was a basket case. But that gorgeous dial was too good looking to pass up. The overall condition, beautiful patina, colors, markings, hands, iridescent chapter ring, etc…

I negotiated and purchased it and would just figure out what the heck I’m going to do with the case!

I found a watchmaker in Seattle. He worked on chronographs as a hobby. But, he was metallurgist by profession. He was able to translate his profession to his watch hobby and do complete case restorations. Perfect! I contacted him, sent him the watch, and what you see now is the result of his magic. He smoothed all the dents, straightened the lugs, dripped silver solder in deep scratches and serious dents. He then sanded it perfectly smooth. The inside case back indicated it had been originally plated in 20 microns of gold. He plated it in 40 microns of 24k gold! The case was left looking pristine in a double thick coating of pure, buttery 24k gold. The movement was fully serviced with new pushers, mainspring, and glass crystal.

It’s a real gem in my vintage collection. Love it!










Sent from Crapatalk
__________________
The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori
SunTzu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2021, 08:42 AM   #2
Slimpee
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Midwest, USA
Watch: DJ 41; 1803; BB Ch
Posts: 1,267
Beautiful! I love that it was painstakingly restored and will give you great use!
Slimpee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2021, 09:54 AM   #3
Pw92676
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 6,106
Sweet story and awesome watch!!!!! I love chronographs. Nothing vintage to share but will be following along.
Pw92676 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2021, 01:46 PM   #4
GolfJunkie
2024 Pledge Member
 
GolfJunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
Location: USA
Watch: 252
Posts: 4,797
Very cool watch OP

Only one i have at the moment. Think it dates to around ‘74. Have been searching for a vintage omega lately as well.




__________________
2FA Enabled
GolfJunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2021, 03:04 PM   #5
SunTzu
"TRF" Member
 
SunTzu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
Quote:
Originally Posted by GolfJunkie View Post
Very cool watch OP

Only one i have at the moment. Think it dates to around ‘74. Have been searching for a vintage omega lately as well.
Very nice too!

Interesting dial layout accommodating the date. I like the chrono hand. Cool case brushing.
__________________
The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori
SunTzu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 January 2021, 03:51 PM   #6
ELLimon
"TRF" Member
 
ELLimon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 446
This thread is basically my thing

Let’s start with this 2. Valjoux 72c


And
ELLimon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 12:04 AM   #7
Dan Pierce
2024 Pledge Member
 
Dan Pierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: D'OH!
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3
Posts: 35,666
WWII era Pierce pilot chronograph.
dP
Attached Images
File Type: jpg TRF.jpg (231.2 KB, 186 views)
__________________
TRF Member# 1668
Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band
Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation
The Crown & Shield Club
Honorary Member of P-Club
Dan Pierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 04:08 AM   #8
GolfJunkie
2024 Pledge Member
 
GolfJunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
Location: USA
Watch: 252
Posts: 4,797
Quote:
Originally Posted by SunTzu View Post
Very nice too!

Interesting dial layout accommodating the date. I like the chrono hand. Cool case brushing.
Thank you!

That's what drew me to the watch was the placement of the date window at the traditional 3 o'clock position and the single chrono register at 6 o'clock. I wish there were more modern chronographs to choose from that had the center seconds and minutes chono hands.
__________________
2FA Enabled
GolfJunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 06:20 AM   #9
spoilsofwar01
"TRF" Member
 
spoilsofwar01's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Real Name: "H"
Location: England
Watch: ing Rainclouds
Posts: 1,437
Quote:
Originally Posted by GolfJunkie View Post
Very cool watch OP

Only one i have at the moment. Think it dates to around ‘74. Have been searching for a vintage omega lately as well.


Ive been on the look out for a Tissot Chronograph since buying my Tissott Seastar, an awesome under rated brand by my reckoning
__________________
"H"
5513 Submariner 1968
114270 Explorer 2005
Smiths W10 1968
Tissot Seastar 2011
spoilsofwar01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 11:59 AM   #10
SunTzu
"TRF" Member
 
SunTzu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELLimon View Post
This thread is basically my thing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Pierce View Post
WWII era Pierce pilot chronograph.
dP
Awesome guys!

Those two triple date chronos and the Pierce are the bee's knees! Would love to have an example of each.

It's my understanding those Pierces are a total PITA to service.
__________________
The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori
SunTzu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 02:09 PM   #11
Dan Pierce
2024 Pledge Member
 
Dan Pierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: D'OH!
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3
Posts: 35,666
Quote:
Originally Posted by SunTzu View Post
Awesome guys!

Those two triple date chronos and the Pierce are the bee's knees! Would love to have an example of each.

It's my understanding those Pierces are a total PITA to service.
Pierce manufactured their own chronograph movements and always seemed to do things different, the pushers operate the opposite, bottom to start/ stop & top to reset. They were not known for being a high quality movement.

However, I understand the Pierce moon phase movements are considered high quality.
dP
__________________
TRF Member# 1668
Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band
Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation
The Crown & Shield Club
Honorary Member of P-Club
Dan Pierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 02:19 PM   #12
ELLimon
"TRF" Member
 
ELLimon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 446
Up/Down Venus 170 very large for its time, I think 37mm

ELLimon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 06:04 PM   #13
alex.cicollo
2024 Pledge Member
 
alex.cicollo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Alex
Location: Europe
Watch: A few
Posts: 1,920
Loving this thread - I don’t own any vintage chronos but looking for one. I love the omega Apollo II - not vintage but I love the look. Sadly, it’s a bit too dear, and there are other watches I’d want to buy first.

Happy new year everyone x
alex.cicollo is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 3 January 2021, 06:56 PM   #14
jed11
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: West Side
Posts: 2,597
Loving this thread...
jed11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 January 2021, 04:13 AM   #15
AzHadEnuf
"TRF" Member
 
AzHadEnuf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Real Name: Ralph
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Watch: 6263,DJ,SUB,BB,THR
Posts: 2,043


Some great looking chrono’s here. Though to beat an old Valjoux.
__________________
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." -A. Einstein
AzHadEnuf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 January 2021, 07:14 AM   #16
ELLimon
"TRF" Member
 
ELLimon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 446
I just finished working on this one.

Invincible was a brand created by Helbros. Movement is unsigned, common with small manufacturers from that time.



*Replaced and cut to size new pushers.
*Light hand polish and brushing.
*Found vintage hands for it. (Did not have any) and lumed it with luminova.
*case gasket
*movement clamps and screws
*replaced chronograph lever.
*New glass
*New crown.
*serviced movement.

Had to spend good time adjusting the chronograph escentics they were all over the place.
ELLimon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 January 2021, 07:40 AM   #17
GolfJunkie
2024 Pledge Member
 
GolfJunkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Real Name: Eric
Location: USA
Watch: 252
Posts: 4,797
Quote:
Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01 View Post
Ive been on the look out for a Tissot Chronograph since buying my Tissott Seastar, an awesome under rated brand by my reckoning
I agree, great brand at a very attractive price point.

I've been thinking about adding this modern version as well
__________________
2FA Enabled
GolfJunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2021, 02:39 AM   #18
SunTzu
"TRF" Member
 
SunTzu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
1950’s classic 18k “Chronograph Suisse” with a Valjoux 22. I purchased it in 2004 from someone in the United Kingdom. It came on an old worn broken in leather strap that smelled of sweet pipe tobacco. Very common design for this era. This one was put together by the old watch company Egona. Fully serviced, new mainspring and glass crystal. Still retained the inner dust cover. I paired it with a genuine alligator band.





Sent from Crapatalk
__________________
The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori
SunTzu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2021, 02:40 AM   #19
SunTzu
"TRF" Member
 
SunTzu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELLimon View Post
I just finished working on this one.

Invincible was a brand created by Helbros. Movement is unsigned, common with small manufacturers from that time.



*Replaced and cut to size new pushers.
*Light hand polish and brushing.
*Found vintage hands for it. (Did not have any) and lumed it with luminova.
*case gasket
*movement clamps and screws
*replaced chronograph lever.
*New glass
*New crown.
*serviced movement.

Had to spend good time adjusting the chronograph escentics they were all over the place.

Fantastic work! Great watch


Sent from Crapatalk
__________________
The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori
SunTzu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 January 2021, 07:03 AM   #20
thewatchidiot
"TRF" Member
 
thewatchidiot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Iowa
Posts: 244
My Chrographe Suisse. Received from my parents in 1966 and father owned since 1949




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
thewatchidiot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 January 2021, 09:10 AM   #21
SunTzu
"TRF" Member
 
SunTzu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NJ
Watch: 5513 116234 79280P
Posts: 2,144
Quote:
Originally Posted by thewatchidiot View Post
My Chrographe Suisse. Received from my parents in 1966 and father owned since 1949



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That's very cool. Nice provenance. I don't know anyone who has a 72 year old chronograph heirloom
__________________
The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori
SunTzu is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.