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Wakmann Regatta Chronograph (Ref. 9804), 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Wakmann Regatta Chronograph (Ref. 9804), 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Wakmann (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
WAKREG9804
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (WAKREG9804)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Wakmann Regatta Chronograph (Ref. 9804) (English)

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number WAKREG9804), 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 42 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 — Craft & Tailored

Wakmann is perhaps best known for its partnership with Breitling as being their resource for importation and sales to the US market. Breitling would import nearly completed movements through Wakmann, who would then assemble and rebrand these "Breitling" watches under the Wakmann name for resale. Eventually, once the hefty US import taxation of Swiss watches was remedied, Wakmann was purchased and placed under the Breitling umbrella. Poised and ready to turn heads, the Wakmann Regatta is a reference from the Wakmann sports collection, which was introduced in the 1970s. Powered by the Lemania 1341. This rare and unique chronograph features a rotating inner bezel, a two-register chronograph with a central minute counter, and a monthly calendar planner. The watch was offered in stainless steel or gold plated cases with multiple dial variations and handsets. Stock # WAKREG9804 Brand Wakmann Style Regatta Chronograph Model 9804 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Gold Cap Dial Champagne Millimeters 42mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The gold-capped tonneau style case has an excellent presence on wrist, the case itself appears to have been very lightly polished in the past and exhibits light, honest signs of use. The case retains its original unsigned crown and pump pushers, including the offset crown for controlling the inner calendar wheel. The stainless steel case back retains all of its factory engravings in legible condition. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The colorful and complex dial is tastefully organized perfectly for excellent readability and aesthetics. The outer regate and tachymetre timing scales are in overall wonderful condition, showing only a minor imperfection of paint loss in the grey portion of the regate timing scale. The inner rotating day wheel for the calendar is in exceptional condition and retains bright colors. The white date track is bright and shows almost no signs of aging. The champagne inner dial is remarkably well preserved, showing no signs of aging. The tritium lume plots have achieved a charming golden coloration and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. All of the hands remain original to the watch, the hour and minute hands retain their original lume which matches the dial perfectly, the orange accented hands retain their original color and remain in excellent condition. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning and keeping time perfectly, the previous service history is unknown.

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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: 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.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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