Wakmann Triple Calendar Chronograph, late 1960s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

A chronograph is perhaps the most versatile complication. Born in war, the first wrist-worn chronographs timed artillery strikes; in peacetime, they recorded the feats of the world's greatest athletes. But these moments are ephemeral, and the chronographs that timed them were only capable of recording shorter increments. A triple calendar chronograph--where day, date, and month, along with the shorter intervals of time that comprise them, are all displayed on the dial--catalogs daily existence. In no other chronograph is eternity captured at a glance, and in an age when mankind contains the sum total of human knowledge in devices that fit in our pockets, a triple calendar is imminently timely. While triple calendars from Universal Genève cause a furor among the vintage watch community, true cognoscenti know the value in less recognizable names. To those who know, names like Wittnauer and Wakmann speak of quality, and of deeper connections to more established names that are seen in advertisements today (such as Longines and Breitling ). It's to the latter that Wakmann has the closest relationship--like Wittnauer, which imported Longines watches into the United States, Wakmann imported Swiss-made watches (in this case, by Breitling) into the United States from 1940s to the 1970s. This particular piece, a Wakmann triple date from the late 1960s, is driven by a Valjoux 730, a specialized Valjoux calendar movement based on the 72. At roughly 37mm in diameter, it feels fantastic on the wrist, and the sporty panda dial makes it aesthetically pleasing. In excellent condition over all, this Wakmann is a great way to get your hands on a great looking triple date without having to cash in the Roth IRA.