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- 1944 Chronographe Suisse solid Pink Gold Military Chronograph - Oversized 38mm
1944 Chronographe Suisse solid Pink Gold Military Chronograph - Oversized 38mm
A very well preserved and Rare oversized military chronograph in 18k Solid Pink Gold
WHY IS THIS WATCH SPECIAL
This Chronographe Suisse is powered by the very popular Landeron 48, used by many famous brands, such as Breitling, Baume & Mercier, etc... Here is a stunning and clean example of a rare 18k solid pink gold with black dial, the vast majority of the 'Chronographe Suisse' were in yellow gold.
This amazingly attractive timepiece was manufactured by the renowned firm Guillod Gunther S.A. (Hammer hallmark 117). This particular chronograph features a telemetric (military) and tachymetric scale.
THE STORY
The Landeron company began in 1873,formed by Charles Alfred Hahn and his brother Aimé Auguste Hahn, and called Charles Hahn & Cie. They produced watches at first, but moved into watch movement production in the 1920's.
In 1924, Charles Hahn (son of the founder, who died in 1875), acquired the patents of Anatole Breitling and began producing chronograph movements. This movement production company took the name, Landeron. In 1925, Landeron merged with Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF), being renamed Fontainemelon et succursale du Landeron. FHF/Landeron became a founding member of Ebauches SA in 1926.
Landeron's column wheel chronograph movements were famous, and the company supplied these movements to many militaries. Examples include Cal. 11 and 13 and the state-of-the-art Cal. 39. Because they held the Breitling patents, Landeron was the exclusive supplier of column wheel chronograph movements until their expiration in the 1930's.
Just before World War II, Landeron developed the first cam actuated chronograph. Their Cal. 47 had three pushers: One to start, another to stop, and a third to reset the counter. They refined this movement to become the two-pusher Cal. 48. This would become one of the most popular chronograph movements ever made, with more than 3.5 million examples produced between 1937 and 1970. The lower price of production compared to a column wheel model meant an average person could afford a chronograph for the first time.
In the 1960's, Landeron produced the first Swiss electric movement, Cal. 4750. It featured a battery-powered balance wheel rather than a mainspring.
THE DATA
- Maker: Chronographe Suisse
- Model: Military Oversized Rose Gold
- Reference: 96
- Case N°: N/A
- Year: 1945
- Material: Solid 18k Pink Gold
- Dimentions (WxT): 38x44x12mm
- Caliber: Landeron 48
- Bracelet/Strap: Genuine leather
- Lug width: 20mm
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This military chronograph is in very well preserved condition, the sharp angles and gold hallmarks are preserved. The black dial with pink gold markings, matching the case gives an unbeatable touch to this elegant chronograph. It has a very sophisticated and sporty presence on the wrist an can be worn daily.