Technicum La chaux de fonds Triple Date Moonphase Chronograph “Datocompax” School Watch with provenance, 1950s

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

Every now and then, a watch comes in that instantly energizes the whole team—and today is one of those days! What we're looking at here is a so-called "school watch." A school watch is a graduation project created by an aspiring watchmaker. As part of this final assignment, the student is required to assemble a complex timepiece that functions flawlessly. Additionally, they must demonstrate mastery of various techniques—both in the movement and the finishing of the case. In this particular example, the base caliber used is the Valjoux 88. This highly regarded hand-wound chronograph movement is known for its triple calendar and moonphase complications. Produced from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, the Valjoux 88 was used by several esteemed watchmakers. Notable examples include the Heuer Dato-Compax and Universal Genève Tri-Compax—though many other brands also adopted this superb movement. Back to the watchmaking schools: In the heart of Switzerland’s horological region, nestled in the Jura Mountains near La Chaux-de-Fonds, lies the historic town of Le Locle. With a watchmaking heritage dating back to the 1600s, it’s no surprise this region became the cradle of Swiss precision and craftsmanship. As the industry boomed in the late 19th century, so too did the demand for skilled artisans—individuals who could not only assemble watches but truly master the intricate art of making them. To meet this growing need, institutions like the Technicum of La Chaux-de-Fonds were established. More than just a technical school, the Technicum became a rite of passage for future watchmakers—a place where tradition met innovation. Here, students honed their skills not only through theory but also by crafting complete timepieces from scratch. The school quickly earned a reputation for excellence, with many of its graduates shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking. One such student was Raymond Guye, the maker of this very watch. Guye would later become a leading figure in the development of early quartz movements, notably the Beta-21. His name is hand-engraved on one of the bridges of this partially gold-plated movement using traditional techniques. The modifications made to the Valjoux 88 showcase craftsmanship, with aesthetic enhancements such as Côtes de Genève decoration and finely executed anglage (chamfering), making this timepiece all the more special. More provenance? Sure: Raymond was the son of Samuel Guye, the director of the Technicum of La Chaux-de-Fonds from 1928 to 1965. Even more provenance? Raymond was married to the daughter of James Pellaton—famous for creating tourbillon movements for Patek Philippe, crafting escapements, and teaching at a watchmaking school. This watch features a 35mm steel case with two pushers on the right and two correctors on the left—a sleek and functional design capped by a hexagonal screw-down case back. These cases were produced by Spillmann, and this one was hand-finished by the student using the traditional perlage technique. A note about Spillmann: Founded in 1884 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the case-making company originally operated under the name Spillmann & Rothen. Just a few years later, in 1888, the firm became C.R. Spillmann, marking the beginning of its independent legacy in fine case manufacturing. Spillmann is best known for producing Rolex Oyster cases (and many for other elite brands including Audemars Piguet, Longines, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget—and of course, these school watches). In fact, the relationship with Rolex was so close that in 1988, Rolex acquired the Spillmann workshop, bringing case production in-house. But while Rolex was central to Spillmann’s success, the workshop’s impact reaches far beyond that iconic partnership. The silver-colored dial features apertures for the day and month in the upper half, with three sub-dials for the moonphase and chronograph functions. A ring of numerals encircles the outer edge, for the “pointer date function.” The dial is completed with crisp black printing—including the name of the school at 12 o’clock—and fitted with hand-blued hands. A truly elegant, functional, and historically significant piece. This fine example is paired with a Bulang and Sons leather strap and has been fully checked by our watchmaker. As we said at the start of this “almost essay,” it’s truly exciting to encounter watches like this—pieces that offer incredible value, even without a brand name on the dial or movement. Are you as excited about this one as we are? Get in touch—we’d love to tell you more. Specifications: - Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds Triple Date Moonphase Chronograph “Datocompax” School Watch with provenance - 35mm steel Spillmann case with hexagonal screw-down case back - Chronograph - Triple Date - Moonphase - Dating to the 1950s - Silver dial with 3 sub-dials and pointer date scale; French language month/day display and blued hands - Hand-finished Valjoux 88 movement, partly gilted, engraved by student “Guye” - Bulang and Sons leather strap - Fully checked by our watchmaker