[ireachmike]

Hi WUS and vintage lovers,
I wanted to get your feedback on something that has been on my mind recently. I truly appreciate vintage watches, and have several pieces in my collection. But I know that they will need servicing soon... and I'm starting to get a little concern, since I have heard some horror stories of watchmakers who don't know what they are doing and how they can damage a vintage watch.

Anyways, recently I have been getting interested in pursuing a chronograph with the Valjoux 72 movement. I have found some beautiful Heuer Camaro that I like. But while doing research I also came across that it's becoming very difficult to get parts for this movement. Also I get the sense that not just any watchmaker can properly service this movement. So my question is, how often does the 72 need servicing? How difficult is it becoming to service ? And is it worth it? If you were just now getting into Chronographs, would you recommend pursuing a vintage 72 movement? or prefer a modern chrono movement?

Thank you, I truly appreciate your comments, advice, and if you have had an experience with servicing the Valjoux 72 movement.

 

[georges zaslavsky]

Hi WUS and vintage lovers,
I wanted to get your feedback on something that has been on my mind recently. I truly appreciate vintage watches, and have several pieces in my collection. But I know that they will need servicing soon... and I'm starting to get a little concern, since I have heard some horror stories of watchmakers who don't know what they are doing and how they can damage a vintage watch.

Anyways, recently I have been getting interested in pursuing a chronograph with the Valjoux 72 movement. I have found some beautiful Heuer Camaro that I like. But while doing research I also came across that it's becoming very difficult to get parts for this movement. Also I get the sense that not just any watchmaker can properly service this movement. So my question is, how often does the 72 need servicing? How difficult is it becoming to service ? And is it worth it? If you were just now getting into Chronographs, would you recommend pursuing a vintage 72 movement? or prefer a modern chrono movement?

Thank you, I truly appreciate your comments, advice, and if you have had an experience with servicing the Valjoux 72 movement.

Costs and spare parts availability is an important thing with a valjoux 72, also an experienced watchmaker who has experience on it is required. Back then I paid 480€ in 2017 for overhauling my britscar valjoux 72, in 2019 I paid near 610€ for having a certina chronolympic with a vintage 72 overhauled. Young watchmakers don't have experience on how to do it,service it every 8-10 years. The valjoux 72 rise in value and is more appreciable in desirability compared to the 7734,7736, 7740, 7765 and 7750. I am not into modern chrono movements exception made of the IWC 89360 , Rolex 4130,JLC 752, BreitlingB01 and Seiko 8R.

 

[Dan S]

I have had a number of Valjoux 72 movements serviced. I don't think that it is any more difficult for a watchmaker to service than any other chronograph movement. Sometimes they need parts replaced, and it's certainly true that parts can be scarce and expensive, but they can usually be found with patience. Some people think that this is due to the crazy valuation of old Rolex Daytonas, but that's speculation, obviously. Parts for various other old movements are also scare and expensive, some much more so than a Valjoux 72, which was at least a fairly common movement.

If you are very drawn to particular chronograph with a Valjoux 72 (e.g. Heuer Camaro), then I wouldn't let the movement stop you. However, you should certainly be aware of potential repair costs. And obviously, if you are going to collect and own complicated and valuable vintage watches in general, then you will need to identify an experienced and well-trained watchmaker. That is not specific to the Valjoux 72. If all of this concerns you, then perhaps it would be better to stick with modern watches. Several brands are making re-issues of vintage watches with modern movements and technology.

 

[Sdasurrey]

Adding my 2 p I pretty much agree with Dan’s advice - for those of us that collect V22s they are a precursor to the ‘72’ and therefore older but still face parts issues - watchmakers are ‘Kings’ if you collect vintage chronographs so find a good one for sure.

What hasn’t been mentioned yet in the thread of course is the Zenith El Primero movement - I started adding neo-vintage EPs from the 90s to complement my vintage chronos (Rainbows, De Lucas etc) and can’t stop !!

So they are a great option, if you like their style and want something more modern and therefore more robust with the arguably ‘best’ (certainly automatic…) chronograph movement, have fun, S


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalku