Wakmann 'Albino' Triple Calendar Chronograph, 1970s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: S.Song Watches · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Wakmann 'Albino' Triple Calendar Chronograph, 1970s

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

Maker / attribution: Wakmann (maker)
Date: 1970s
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: Unrecorded in source
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 39 mm
Dealer: S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle
Stock no.: Product 11086878028
Credit line: Dealer listing, S.Song Watches (product 11086878028)
Catalogue title (original): Wakmann 'Albino' Triple Calendar Chronograph (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle (stock number Product 11086878028), this is a wristwatch by Wakmann, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 39 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

This Wakmann Triple Calendar Chronograph is everything you would want in a classic vintage timepiece. First of all, by vintage standards this watch is huge. At 39mm, you are not going to find many other chronographs with no bezels at this size. It has a triple calendar function adjustable via pushers on the left side of the watch, and a chronograph function to top things off. Of late, these Wakmann Triple Calendar Chronographs have been very popular with collectors for the aforementioned reasons. The most common variant, are the reverse panda versions. This though, is a much rarer example with an albino dial. You certainly won’t see many of these around. Lastly, beating inside this Wakmann is a Valjoux 723 movement, the most famous vintage high-quality chronograph movement!

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 timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: 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.

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

"Wakmann 'Albino' Triple Calendar Chronograph, 1970s." S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle, Product 11086878028. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/wakmann-albino-triple-calendar-chronograph-1970s-a138b9.