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
| Complications | 18,000 A/h No Chrono | 18,000 A/h No Hours | 18,000 A/h Hour Counter | 21,600 A/h No Hours | 21,600 A/h Hour Counter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 23 VZ 69 DX | 72 VZH 722 | 236 | 726 727 | |
| Flyback | 230 | 720 | 235 | 725 | |
| Date | 232 | 234 | |||
| Triple Date | 78 VZSC | 23C | 72c VZHC 723 | 730 | |
| Flyback and Date | 237 | ||||
| 24 Hour Hand | 724 | 729 | |||
| Calendar and Moon Phase | 89 DXC 90 VZSCL | 88 VZHCL | 886 | ||
| Tide Calculator | 721 |