Valjoux 72 VZH

	Brand:	Valjoux
	Family:	Valjoux 23/72 Family
	Height:	6.95 mm
	Jewels:	17
	Reserve:	48 hours
	Frequency:	18,000 A/h
	Winding:	Hand winding
	Diameter:	29.50 mm (13 ligne)
	Complications:	2-Button, 9-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
	Hands:	12 Hour Chronograph Hand at 6:00, 30 Minute Chronograph Hand at 3:00, Central 60 Second Chronograph Hand, Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Small Seconds Hand at 9:00

Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding Clockwise Balance Cock Indexed Regulator 9-Column Chronograph Balance Balance at 12:00 Column Wheel Column Wheel at 6:00
Production: 1938 – 1974
1910s	1920s	1930s	1940s	1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s

The Valjoux 72 VZH (“Valjoux Counter Heures”) is a celebrated hand-winding chronograph movement produced from 1938 through 1974. Implementing Willy Breitling’s dual-pusher design with a column wheel, it remains desirable to this day. The design of the chronograph works, visible at the back, are particularly appealing. Note that some place the date of introduction for Cal. 72 as 1946.

The Valjoux 23 and 72 are almost identical except that the latter adds a 12 hour counter at 6:00 on the dial. This adds to the thickness of the movement somewhat, bringing it to 6.95 mm.

• Central hours and minute hands and chronograph seconds
• 30 minute counter at 3:00
• 12 hour counter at 6:00
• Running small seconds at 9:00

The Valjoux 72 was used by many manufacturers. One notable example is the Rolex Cal. 72 A or 72 B (Valjoux 722), which was a modification of the Valjoux 72 made to Rolex specifications. Changes include the use of a Microstella regulator and Rolex finishing, including the initials ROW for “Rolex Werke”. An updated 722-1 in the late 1960s had an updated spring on the hour wheel.

Other brands using this movement include Anonimo, Baume & Mercier, Breguet, Breitling, Certina, Doxa, Eberhard & Co., Enicar, Eterna, Franck Muller, Gallet, Girard-Perregaux, Heuer, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, Minerva, Nivada, Ulysse Nardin, Universal Genève, Wakmann, Wittnauer, and Zodiac.

Valjoux 23/72 Family Movements

The Valjoux Cal. 23/72 family was primarily made up of eight movements, with all others being variations on these. Many components are shared between most or all of these movements, with the main variations happening together over the long production of the series.

• Cal. 23 VZ – Basic movement with no hour counter
• Cal. 72 VZH – Basic movement with hour counter
• Cal. 72c VZHC – Cal. 72 with triple calendar
• Cal. 88 VZHCL – Cal. 72c with moon phase
• Cal. 78 VZSC – Non-chronograph triple calendar
• Cal. 90 VZSCL – Cal. 78 with moon phase
• Cal. 69 DX – Compact 10.5 ligne chronograph
• Cal. 89 DXC – Compact 10.5 ligne triple calendar

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