Sterile Dial Oversized Chronograph

Why We Love it

It's a treat that we get to see beautifully patinated chronographs at our HQ, but it is quite unusual to have an unbranded one that holds such a mysterious allure!

Are you sitting down? Good.

For starters, this is a beautiful and oversized 38mm steel case with screw case back. Its design is reminiscent of early "Clamshell" cases as well as those found on period chronographs and military watches from Angelus, Heuer, etc.. The dial, with its telemetre tracks, looks rightfully technical, but the rich black finish, Arabic markers, and crisp gilt printing give this piece a distinctly dressy feel. Inside, the  Valjoux 22 movement (which was produced for roughly six decades!) chirps away at 18,000 beats per hour, paying homage to the Swiss powerhouse whose drivetrains have become synonymous with quality and reliability.

No one really knows who made this or where it was sold, but let’s just agree that if the dial said "Patek Philippe" or “Heuer” on it, this piece would be going for several times the asking price. The fact that we can offer you something of this quality and design without a prohibitive price tag is delightful, and someone is going to have a very good day when it gets strapped on for the first time!

The Story

Inspiration for the architecture of the legendary Calibre 72, the Valjoux 22 is the older yet less famous movement from the storied manufacture. For six decades, the Calibre 22 was a dependable, robust calibre used by the top brands of the time.

Originally designed for pocket watches, the Valjoux 22 is a 14 ligne, 31.3 mm column wheel chronograph which powers timekeeping, subsidiary seconds, central seconds chronograph, and a 30 minute register at 3:00. Produced from 1914 through 1974, it is a venerable movement with one of the longest histories of service and are at the heart of the some of the world’s most impressive chronographs - whether or not they have a name on the dial!

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.