Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Lebois & Co Steel Chronograph 1940s
- Maker / attribution
- Lebois & Co (maker)
- Date
- 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- steel
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- W-1196
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-1196)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Lebois & Co Steel Chronograph 1940s (English)
Editor's note
The dealer's brand field named another maker; the dealer's own listing title identifies the watch as Lebois & Co.View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-1196), this is a wristwatch by Lebois & Co, made in Switzerland, dated 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 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 — Bulang & Sons
A classic chrono recently revived… We are delighted to offer this interesting vintage chronograph from Lebois & Co. A well regarded manufacturer in the 1940s and 50s, the brand has recently been revived by fellow Dutchman Tim van Wijlick. The current project by the brand is a community-based relaunch of these vintage step case chronos! The 36mm steel step case is in fantastic condition with olive-form pushers. The no-lume sector dial features black Arabic numerals and a blue tachymeter scale, that is set off by blued leaf hands. This super cool vintage chrono comes on the pictured Bulang and Sons strap. The Lebois-signed Valjoux 22 based movement has been fully checked and serviced by our watchmaker. Specifications: - Lebois & Co chronograph - 36mm steel step case - Olive pushers - Dates to 1940s - Two register sector dial with blue tachymeter scale - Lebois-signed Valjoux 22 movement - Comes on the pictured Bulang and Sons strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
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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