Wakmann c.1960 Chronograph

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY AND APPRAISAL
1 YEAR MECHANICAL WARRANTY

About:

Wakmann has seen a growing in popularity over the past few years as collectors discover the brand’s unique history and offering of interesting watches. A lot has already been written about its founder, Icko Wakmann, and his start as a distributer and importer of watches, first in Europe then in the US starting in 1946. Although the brand became famous for creating aircraft cockpit clocks for the US military, they also started to produce their own watches after entering into a joint venture with Breitling in 1947.

Today Wakmann is probably best known for producing a variety of quality chronographs, such as this French manufactured chrono from the late 1950s/early 1960s. This a fine example of the Wakmann design ethos: simple but robust design with a classic aesthetic touch.

The combination gold plate and stainless steel case comes in an attractive, modern 36mm size, while the gorgeous, crisp ivory dial adds a touch of elegance. We particularly like the black tachometer scale in combination with the red telemeter scale. The minute recorder register also features pay phone 3, 6 and 9 minute line markers.

The case on this example has held up very well, with almost no distinguishable marks of wear on the gold plate or stainless steel. We have replaced the crystal with a new acrylic, as well as installed new pump pushers. The Venus 188 (later Valjoux 7733) movement has been inspected, regulated and timed, and keeps excellent time. The chronograph functions work smoothly as intended.

Overall this is a great piece by an interesting brand with a fascinating history, offered at a great price.

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