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You are here: Home / Movements / Valjoux 72

Valjoux 72

June 14, 2019 by

Brand:Valjoux
Family:
Valjoux 72 Family
Height:6.95 mm
Jewels:17
Reserve:48 hours
Frequency:18000 A/h
Winding:Hand winding
Diameter:29.5 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
Production: 1938 – 1974
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

The Valjoux 72 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.

  • 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.

18,000 A/h
No Chronograph
18,000 A/h
No Hour Counter
18,000 A/h
Hour Counter
21,600 A/h
No Hour Counter
21,600 A/h
Hour Counter
BaseValjoux 23Valjoux 72
Valjoux 722
Valjoux 236Valjoux 726
Valjoux 727
FlybackValjoux 230Valjoux 720Valjoux 235Valjoux 725
DateValjoux 234
Triple DateValjoux 69
Valjoux 78
Valjoux 23CValjoux 723
Valjoux 72C
Valjoux 730
Flyback and DateValjoux 237
24 Hour HandValjoux 724Valjoux 729
Calendar and Moon PhaseValjoux 89
Valjoux 90
Valjoux 88Valjoux 886
Tide CalculatorValjoux 721
Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.

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