Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Vetta Oversized Chronograph Two-Tone Telemeter Dial First Series, 1940s
- Maker / attribution
- Vetta (maker)
- Date
- 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- two-tone
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- W-3195
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3195)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Vetta Oversized Chronograph Two-Tone Telemeter Dial First Series (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3195), this is a wristwatch by Vetta, 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: two-tone. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 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
This Vetta Chronograph first series features a large 38mm steel step case, recognized for its distinctive step design and waterproof case back. The innovative snap-back case seals the watch hermetically, with four screws into the lugs, earning it the nickname "clamshell." As this brand was originally for the Italian market, "chronograph" is written in Italian as “chronografo”! The dial is two-tone, with a cream-colored base and gold triple “bands,” along with very unusual Arabic numerals and two subdials for the chronograph function. The watch is fitted with the pictured leather strap, and the manual-wind movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. We love vintage watches with character and would love to share our passion with you. Feel free to get in touch for a call or a visit to our lounge! Specifications: - Vetta Oversized Chronografo - 38mm steel step case - Dates to the 1940s - Two-tone cream dial with two scales - No-lume blued hands - Manual wind movement Valjoux 22 - Comes on pictured leather strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker
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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