Valjoux 72

	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
Base		Valjoux 23	Valjoux 72 Valjoux 722	Valjoux 236	Valjoux 726 Valjoux 727
Flyback		Valjoux 230	Valjoux 720	Valjoux 235	Valjoux 725
Date				Valjoux 234
Triple Date	Valjoux 69 Valjoux 78	Valjoux 23C	Valjoux 723 Valjoux 72C		Valjoux 730
Flyback and Date				Valjoux 237
24 Hour Hand			Valjoux 724		Valjoux 729
Calendar and Moon Phase	Valjoux 89 Valjoux 90		Valjoux 88		Valjoux 886
Tide Calculator			Valjoux 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.