It is? No one told me, or Tissot.

EDIT ok technically it’s an A05.H31, which is based on the 7753.

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It is? No one told me, or Tissot.

Is it not?
I rarely see any, except those from the 70's and before.
Certainly nowhere near the number I see with 7750.

Why are they (7753) used so infrequently today ?

 

For several years from 1986 when I first started collecting chronographs, I preferred the 3-6-9 layout of the Valjoux 72 (not many 7753's then). When I finally came to own a 7750-powered chronograph with the ubiquitous 3-9-12 layout, I began to prefer this layout as I began to seek out the 7750 for it's wobble, accuracy, and performance. So today I voted the traditional 7750 layout.
Many of the 7753 versions I have seen have a quick-set date divot in the case, which I hate as much as I hate an Omega Seamaster helium escape valve crown. If you cannot quick-set the date via the crown, and you have to poke your watch with a ballpoint pen/paper clip/scratch-inducing device of evil, then the watch shouldn't have the date on it!
Rant over. Dang, haven't even injected my caffeine yet..

 

If you cannot quick-set the date via the crown, and you have to poke your watch with a ballpoint pen/paper clip...

I see! So there is/was some drawback after all. I did not know that!

 

Sellita 510 has the 3-6-9 layout.

 

I much prefer the 3-6-9 layout and also noticed the 7753 to be a rarer find. There is the Sellita clone of the 7753 I believe, the SW510. Although that still doesn’t seem to be used much, or when it is in just a bicompax layout.

Just to add a photo, this relatively recent Doxa uses the SW510 with 3-6-9 layout (not my photo).

 

I much prefer the 3-6-9 layout and also noticed the 7753 to be a rarer find. There is the Sellita clone of the 7753 I believe, the SW510. Although that still doesn’t seem to be used much, or when it is in just a bicompax layout.

Just to add a photo, this relatively recent Doxa uses the SW510 with 3-6-9 layout (not my photo).

If the 7753 clone still has that same date-setting issue, then I guess it could pose a problem fro the brand, since the majority of watch consumers (civilians) seem to insist on having the date function.

 

I own both, but I prefer the 3,6,9 layout.

 

3-6-9 is definitely my favorite

 

I prefer the 3-6-9 late. The valjoux 72 was a league in its own and so was the VZHC and the 88. Now the Seiko NH88 or 8R49 which is a column wheel movement and which offers better value and better accuracy for money than your run of the mill 7750 let alone 7753.

 

8r48 as well, which is more common than the 8r49. I have a 7750 and an 8r48 and much prefer the 3-6-9 layout for readability as well as aesthetically.
maybe the 3-6-9 7753 is just an oversight and given time will make a comeback?

 

Unlike the poll from 12 years ago, yours left off "no preference", which I would select. For me, it largely depends on the look and design of a particular watch. That said, for a chrono with a date I can't stand the 3-6-9 arrangement if the date is stuck in between the subdials like the Longines shown above. If it came down to that or a 6-9-12 arrangement with the date at 3 like the Tudor shown above, I'd much prefer that. Of course, there are better ways to integrate the date onto a chronograph:

 

I prefer two subdial chronos. Maybe an itty-bitty third for a “small seconds”, but two, as big as you can get them in the space, is good. My personal layout preference would be a 30 min subdial, an hours subdial, and the seconds around the edge of the dial can be marked off in fraction second increments.

 

Two of my favorite chrono displays are the Seiko SNDA57, and the Hamilton Jazzmaster.

 

I wish I could still find that Seiko. I passed back then, but figured as a cheaper model I’d always be able to find it again. Little did I know…

 

Look around... you'll find the Seiko ne 88 in other brands...Autodromo for instance

 

I also like the layout of my Citizen. It has some legibility issues, but it’s good looking:

 

for some reason i love the 6-9-12 on pilot watches. something about the layout that feels right.

 

Especially if they’re going to insist on a date complication. This layout allows the date at 3, instead of the screwy 4:30 position.

 

The Soldat Promessa Powers Vintage-Cool with Seiko's NE 88 Chronograph Caliber - Worn & Wound

Just found this: SOLDAT.
Has the NE88, and is reasonably priced. Very surprising!

 

The Soldat Promessa Powers Vintage-Cool with Seiko's NE 88 Chronograph Caliber - Worn & Wound

Just found this: SOLDAT.
Has the NE88, and is reasonably priced. Very surprising!

View attachment 16623806

Sigh. Guess this one goes on the potential wish-list now too.

 

I don't have a strong preference, just as long as the sub-seconds dial is NOT at 6. Frequent minute and hour hand blockage from view.

 

I mean... it's going to get blocked at some time during the day no matter where it is on the dial.

 

Meh... all the Valjoux movements are too chunky for me.

As for the design question, I guess have an aesthetic preference for 3-9 or 3-6-9 on an otherwise clean dial. However, 6-9-12 works better when there's a date window.

 

I prefer the 3-6-9 layout for it's symmetry, but the odd placement of the date does deter from the look (if there is a date). The 6-9-12 layout is good for me on watches that have a day-date complication at the 3 as it balanced the dial somewhat. I don't either has an advantage from the readability standpoint as each layout will have some problems with readability as some times in the day.

I think Omega gets it right with the bi-complex look at the 3-9, the hours and minutes elapsed being on one subdial at the 3.

Frankly though, I think all chronos should have a central minutes and seconds hand showing elapsed time with one of the subdials just showing hours. This is clearer, allows for a 60 minutes elapsed minutes counter, and a more balanced dial showing elapsed hours and running seconds.

The Sin EZM10 was one and the Damasko DC86 is another.

 

Speaking of Seiko, NE88 was column-wheel with 3-6-9 layout. Almost pulled the trigger on the Autodromo Monoposto chrono that used it.

That said, my preference is 6-9-12 with day-date at 3 o’clock. Not just because the 7750 doesn’t need the 7753’s dreaded date pusher (almost a deal-breaker on my Tissot 1973), but it’s a natural extension of a 3-hand watch with day-date at 3 o’clock.

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I also like the “stealth” date tucked into one of the subdials in this layout.

View media item 15256698

 

I see Hemel has a 7753 powered LE available for under $1000 USD.

 

I never see anyone mention it, but I prefer the 6-9-12 purely from a functional standpoint. There's less of a chance when I want to time something that the hour or minute hand is obscuring the minute chronograph register. The hour hand doesn't reach to the top, and the minute hand only covers it for a few minutes at the top of every hour. It's for this reason that I can't stand the register layout on my seiko solar chrono, seems like whenever I want to time something the hands are in the way of the 60 minute counter at 6.

 

I never see anyone mention it, but I prefer the 6-9-12 purely from a functional standpoint. There's less of a chance when I want to time something that the hour or minute hand is obscuring the minute chronograph register. The hour hand doesn't reach to the top, and the minute hand only covers it for a few minutes at the top of every hour. It's for this reason that I can't stand the register layout on my seiko solar chrono, seems like whenever I want to time something the hands are in the way of the 60 minute counter at 6.

Huh ??
I don't understand. Why would the hands not cover each and every subdial at some point?

 

I can go 3 , 6 , 9 >>

 

I like 3 - 9 the most. Just really clean design layout in my opinion.

If you want something completely off the wall try a Timex Intelligent Quartz. I guess this could be considered 4 - 11. Half subdials.

 

Maybe it has already been mentioned, and please correct me if I'm off track, but isn't that role often filled by Zenith or Tudor/Breitling chronograph movements these days?

 

And Omega.

But the ElP is currently only available in Zenith. The Breitling movement only in Breitling and Tudor. Omega only in Omega. Those wanting something that doesn't cost $5000+ needs a 7753 or SW510. Or the 2894 modular, if those can still be gotten by third parties.

 

I'll always prefer diver bezels to chronographs because the at a glance legibility is always going to be MUCH higher, (and a timing bezel will never be covered with an hour or minute hand) but if I did buy a chronograph it'd probably be one like this. An unreadable chrono has no reason to exist. Looking at you, mecaquartz.

 

An unreadable chrono has no reason to exist. Looking at you, mecaquartz.

I think VK have been quite adequate in satisfying the "lust" to see the subdials at 9, 6, and 3.
Sure, one might want the extra pleasure of having that in an automatic / mechanical, but for the price, it seems OK to me.
I have now several with the VK inside, and I find great pleasure in wearing them.
This sort of "cheap compromise," brushing aside the importance of the "dignity" of having a fine movement, is prolly akin to how men in the future will view -- many already do apparently -- more and more, robot "females" as "real" companions. The tech will get there, and at that point,.... one asks:
Does one really want to or need to find an high-maintenance genuine woman when she is gonna do the "brown thing" in one's bed, in a fit of bad mood? Or go with a "fake" that is as pleasant as one programs it to be?

 

Also, what's making you say the 7753 is discontinued?

I'm still seeing info on the website...

https://shopb2b.eta.ch/mecaline/7753-7753-5.html

That said, I think all of ETA's 4-digit calibres are no longer sold outside Swatch Group, if at all anymore.

 

Also, what's making you say the 7753 is discontinued?

I'm still seeing info on the website...

https://shopb2b.eta.ch/mecaline/7753-7753-5.html

That said, I think all of ETA's 4-digit calibres are no longer sold outside Swatch Group, if at all anymore.

It was just an assumption on my part, as 99.99% of the watches that have any mention of the 7753 have been all from the 70's, and before.
I also did not know that 7753 now goes by some other name / number.

In any case, selection of automatic chronographs with subdials at 3 - 9, or 3 - 6 - 9 seem to be FAR smaller than those with 6 - 9 - 12