Here we have one of the best Antique Monopusher chronographs we have seen. Dating from the early 1920s by West End Watch Co is this beautiful 18ct gold trench style watch with the gold wire loop lugs. It has the large onion style crown with the pusher set to the centre. The dial is formed of enamel with the stylised italic arabic numerals. It has the detailed 1/5ths of a second track with the two constant seconds at 9 and 30-minute counter at 3. It is signed with the West End Watch Co name, with the ‘Bombay-Calcutta’ signing. The thermally blued hands are of moon style with the original central second and sub-dial hands. The case back has the serial number, with the inside having the West End logo and Swiss hallmarking for 18ct. The movement is a the legendary Valjoux 13’’’ single button chronograph. It is in good condition and has been recently serviced.
The dial is as good as you will find on an antique chronograph. It is formed of enamel and has no fractures or chips. It is an even, bright white tone with the black signing. The outside of the dial has the detailed 1/5th of a second track for the chronograph. The hour markers are clear, whilst having an eye-catching stylised font of Arabic numerals. The two sub-dials are inset into the dial and have the classic railroad tracks. The constant seconds are at 9 O’clock with the 30-minute counter at 3 O’clock. The dial is signed ‘West End Watch Co’ with the ‘Bombay-Calcutta’ signing below. The hour and minute hands are of Breguet / moon style with the thermally blued finish. The chronograph hand is also correct and thermally blued. The sub-second has the lollipop counterbalance, with the 30-minute counter having the tapered design.
The case is well proportioned measuring just under 35mm x 35mm. With the crown and pusher it has a total width of 39mm. The lug-to-lug measurement is 49mm due to the style of strap which gives it a strong presence on the wrist.
It is formed of 18ct yellow gold with the snap-on bezel. It has the bevelled edge glass set to it which protects the dial. The central section of the case has the coupling for the lugs to the centre with the flexible gold wire lugs extending from it. The strap is glued to secure it on the fixed lugs. The wire lugs have the stamps for Swiss hallmarking, meaning they are original.
To the right is the onion crow which has the defined edges which are a joy to wind and look at. The pusher is set to the centre which winds, stops and resets the chronograph.
The hinged case back has the polished finish with the serial number engraved. Inside it is signed with the West End name and Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold with the head of Helvetia. It has the poincon de maitre number 329 which is yet, unidentified. The inner case back is also hinged with the polished finish and hallmarking inside.
The movement is the legendary Valjoux 13’’’, which was designed in 1916. A mono-pusher chronograph, utilizing a mechanism developed in 1846 by Adolph Nicole and Henri Fereol Piguet. It was used in many different forms until 1974.
The movement can be found powering very collectable pieces from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet (Ref 5522) and Vacheron Constantin from the 1930s in to the 1960s.
The movement was stripped of complications to its base going train, allowing the powerful mainspring to be harnessed for increased accuracy. Patek and Audemars utilised the stripped 13’’’ Valjoux ebauches in precise competition grade chronometers. The Audemars Piguet Precision and Worldtime in the 1940s utilised such calibres. They are identifiable by the use of repurposed chronograph dials, with small seconds at 9 and text on the blank sub-dial at 3.
The movement has been recently serviced and is in good condition, with a daily variation of one minute. The chronograph functions well.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is enamel and is in very good antique condition. It has no fractures or chips to the main face. Not even hairlines. The signing is very good and clear.
Hands:
The hands are original and are of ‘Moon’ style. They are thermally blued and have a bright tone. There are some slight corrosion spots. The chronograph hand is good and original, as are the sub-second hand and minute counter.
Glass:
The glass has the bevelled edge with light scratching. It would appear original, or a period replacement.
Crown:
The crown is original, of onion style and is in good antique condition. The pusher to the centre is also original.
Case:
The case is formed of 18ct gold and has a snap-on bezel. The bezel is good and secure, with light marking and nicks associated with ageing. The sides are also in good condition for the age, with some light marking and nicks. The gold coupling for the lugs are good and original. The gold wire strap attachments are good and original with hallmarking.
Caseback:
The hinged case back is in good antique condition, closing securely. It has the polished finish with light scratching. The serial number is clear. It has some light dimpled dents.
The hinge is good, opening to 90 degrees. Inside it is signed with the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold with the west end logo.
Inner hinged back:
The inner hinged back is in good antique condition closing securely. It has the polished finish with light scratching. The hinge is good, opening to 90 degrees. Inside it has the Swiss hallmarking and makers mark.
Strap:
The watch comes on a german genuine leather watch strap. It is glued to fit the fixed bars.
Movement:
The movement is a Valjoux calibre 13. It is a manual wind movement, which has a jewel count of 15 and has a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It is a single pusher chronograph.
The movement has been recently serviced. It is running well with the chronograph functioning reliably. It is keeping time to within -60 seconds a day. It has an amplitude of 355 degrees and a beat error of 1.5m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 34.85mm
Case width with crown: 38mm
Case width with crown & pusher: 39mm
Case length: 34.85mm
Case length lug to lug: 48.75mm
Case Depth: 12.5mm
Lug width: 12.5mm