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BWC Chronograph (Ref. 953013) "Valjox Cal. 7733", 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

BWC Chronograph (Ref. 953013) "Valjox Cal. 7733", 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
BWC (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
BWC7733
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BWC7733)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s BWC Chronograph (Ref. 953013) "Valjox Cal. 7733" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BWC7733), this is a wristwatch by BWC, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Founded in Buttes, Switzerland by Arthur Charlet in 1924, Buttes Watch Company - better known as BWC - is one of the many Swiss timepiece brands that flourished before the Quartz Crisis in the 1970s. Although BWC produced a wide variety of different watches including early electronic models during the 1950s and even quartz timepieces during the later part of the 1970s, the brand is best known for its mechanical sports chronographs that often feature funky case shapes and colorful dials. Models like this BWC chronograph ref. 953013 are excellent examples of the timepieces that the brand produced during the golden era of the mechanical wristwatch. Featuring a circular dial set into a square case and surrounded by a bezel with both tachymeter and telemeter scales, this BWC chronograph offers distinct 1970s styling with the proven performance of a manually-wound Valjoux 7733 movement. Stock # BWC7733 Brand BWC Style Chronograph Model 953013 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 40x44 Bracelet 2pc Leather Rally Strap CASE & BRACELET The large square case of this BWC chronograph is a block of brushed stainless steel surfaces and features lugs set into the underside for a completely smooth and integrated appearance. The case itself is in great condition and retains crisp lines with only minor scratches and signs of age. Fitted to the watch is a black two-piece leather rally strap with red contrasting stitching. DIAL & HANDS The original black dial is in exceptional condition and features white text, applied hour markers, and a red and white minute counter that also includes a countdown scale and a bright green hand. The original tritium lume remains fully intact on all of the hour markers along with the centrally-mounted hands, and it has developed a rich cream-colored patina with zero signs of crumbling or degradation. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning and keeping time, previous service history is unknown.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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