C. 1948 Kelbert Chronograph watch housing a rare Calibre Valjoux 77 Movement.

Description: First the basics: so here we have a Vintage Kelbert Chronograph watch dating to around 1948 in super unrestored condition with a stunning original brown signed dial in exceptional good condition which is not repainted and has its original hands. Unlike most from this period it is not a cheap plated dial (either gold or chrome) but is solid stainless steel which means it is not really corroded or missing plating. It is also bigger than most which only measured 32mm, this is 34.5mm (almost 35mm) so does not look small on the wrist and indeed this size is now very popular with the fashion conscious with bigger sizes falling out of favour. And now for some detail about the brand and movement: The Kelbert Watch Company was founded in 1938 and was located at 608 Fifth Avenue in New York. The company imported Swiss watch movements some less expensive like the Landeron family and some higher quality like the Valjoux family of movements. All Kelbert watches are now rare especially outside the USA. They are known to collectors for their triple signing on the dial, movement, and case back, and for their water-tight cases, although under no circumstances would I get this 80 year old watch wet. What makes this chronograph exceptionally rare is that it houses a Valjoux 77 calibre movement. This movement is a column wheel chronograph movement and unusually for Valjoux, it has seven columns in the wheel used to control the chronograph function and also uses Heuer’s oscillating pinion engagement design. It is a two-pusher movement with a 30 minute chronograph register. The Calibre 77 was only produced from 1946 to around 1950 hence the circa date for this piece is 1948, the mid-way point of production. Valjoux designed the movement with two goals in mind. Firstly they wanted to implement the oscillating pinion for use by Heuer who demanded the very best movements and secondly to replace the many complex milled components with springs to make the movement more efficient and therefore easier to service and maintain. For those that might be interested it is a 13 ligne diameter movement which is 29.5mm and has a height of 6mm. It has 17 jewels and beats away at 18000 A/H and when new it had a power reserve of some 39 hours. It is a rarely seen column wheel movement that will be of interest to collectors and those who wish to follow the current trend of mid-century classic chronographs that are in-line with the current fashion for this size piece. In all my collecting years I can honestly say I have never seen a Valjoux 77 movement outside of a Heuer chronograph and certainly never in a Kelbert watch: Mind you I have only ever come across a few Kelbert chronographs before and they all housed much lesser Landeron movements. As befits this rare watch you will note from the picture gallery that it is fitted with an easy fit light brown leather strap with an expensive stainless steel deployment buckle and is all but new with less than a months wear. However and as you would expect of a such a watch it has drilled lugs so changing straps is easy even if not easy fit. So a rare watch worthy of consideration and in perfect working order having been serviced within the last two years and so ready to enjoy as an everyday watch or to be part of a collection by a collector or rare and unusual chronographs. I will consider near offers but low offers will be politely ignored as I know just how rare this watch is having collected vintage chronographs for forty odd years. Finally do check out my feedback as I only collect and sell the best quality pieces but like all watch addicts do refresh my collection, probably to often for my own good!

Price: 895 GBP

Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

End Time: 2024-11-17T18:14:46.000Z

Shipping Cost: 63.72 GBP