Jaeger Valjoux 72 Chronograph, 1960s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: S.Song Watches · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: S.Song Watches · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Jaeger Valjoux 72 Chronograph, 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Jaeger (maker)
Date: 1960s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Unrecorded in source
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 35 mm
Dealer: S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle
Stock no.: Product 1603781951575
Credit line: Dealer listing, S.Song Watches (product 1603781951575)
Catalogue title (original): Jaeger Valjoux 72 Chronograph (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle (stock number Product 1603781951575), this is a wristwatch by Jaeger, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 mm. 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 — S.Song Watches

There is something remarkably elegant and versatile about a simple silver dialed, three register chronograph. With this Jaeger Valjoux 72, you really do get a complete watch with attractive looks and a high-quality build. The Jaeger Valjoux 72 is all about the details that set it apart. Beginning with its 35mm stainless steel case, it features a screw-down case back and thick long lugs that are expertly bevelled. Furthermore, this example comes with stunning baby pushers that really gives great balance to the overall look. The silver dial is in excellent condition and has developed a slight patina towards its periphery. With applied baton hour markers and an Arabic numeral at 12, this is topped off with thick sword hands filled with luminous material. The sub-registers are larger than usual giving the watch a very elegant look. Powered by the legendary Valjoux 72 movement, it was, during it’s time one of the most popular column wheeled ebauches, used most famously in the Rolex Daytona and Heuer Autavia. This watch is incredibly easy to wear, working both as a casual and work watch- in my opinion one of the great everyday vintage watches.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryNot in source
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © S.Song Watches — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Jaeger Valjoux 72 Chronograph, 1960s." S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle, Product 1603781951575. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/jaeger-valjoux-72-chronograph-1960s-f0e71a.