1955 E.M.C. - Oversized 37mm Military Chronograph Waterproof - All stainless steel
An impressive oversized chronograph with screwed back and round pushers
WHY IS THIS WATCH SPECIAL
This dashing military chronograph features a tachymeter and telemeter scale.
The telemeter scale, designed to measure distances to remote objects, became a vital tool to calculate fire range in battle, operates in tandem with a chronograph. Since light travels faster than sound, the idea was that as soon as a soldier spotted a flare of light on the horizon, he could activate the chronograph and then stop it when the cannon exploded. By doing so he was able to see the distance separating him from the artillery.
This E.M.C. is powered by the very popular Landeron 149, used by many famous brands, such as Breitling, Baume & Mercier, etc... Here is an impressive example of a rare stainless steel screwed back with round pushers, the vast majority of the 'Chronographe Suisse' were manufactured with chrome plated cases, square pushers and clipped bottom.
This is one amazingly attractive timepiece.
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: E.M.C.
- Model: Military Oversized waterproof
- Reference: N/A
- Case N°: N/A
- Year: 1955
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dimentions (WxT): 37x45x11,5mm
- Caliber: Landeron 149
- Bracelet/Strap: Genuine leather
- Lug width: 18mm
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This chronograph is in excellent condition. All parts are untouched and unpolished, the sharp angles are preserved.
It has a very elegant and sporty presence on the wrist an can be worn daily.
Just serviced it comes with a one year guarantee.
