An Ecole Chronograph

Mar 11, 2019,10:35 AM
 

A chronograph from the watchmaker’s school Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds. It has a rare 36.6mm two-part waterproof Brevet case. 


Inside it is a Valjoux 23, finished to a very high standard as you can see in the photo. The name of the student ‘Pierre Wenger’ is engraved on the bridge. It would be interesting to know which manufacture Pierre worked for after graduating from Technicum... 

What do you guys think of school watches? I myself find them fairly intriguing and attractive—they are the epitome of purist design and artisanal finishing. 

Best,
Z




















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Nice one

 
 By: VinnieD : March 11th, 2019-10:39
I find those 'ecole' watches tend to have a few weaknesses (very simple dial, cases sometimes a little rough) but the movement of this one is amazing! It would deserve a display case back

Thanks.

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 11th, 2019-10:59
Yes I agree that they tend to come with very simple dials and people sometimes find them visually boring. And yes I really should order a display back for it!!

I love them... There is one I am desperately hunting...

 
 By: amanico : March 11th, 2019-10:44
This one, on the right... With a very nice Peseux 260... Best, Nicolas ...  

Wow that’s an interesting one!

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 11th, 2019-11:00
Do you happen to know what the number ‘124’ stands for?

No, sadly not. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : March 11th, 2019-11:35

Good luck with the hunt!

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 11th, 2019-13:44
My grail school watch is the Ecole d'Horlogerie in a Patek 2509 case. Here’s a photo from Antiquorum. ...  

Superb!!! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : March 16th, 2019-11:09

Both are beautiful my friend!

 
 By: renerod : March 16th, 2019-12:12
The solid gold one looks so classic calatrava like Best. René

P. Wenger must have been a good student

 
 By: jayeyedoubleemmwhy : March 11th, 2019-11:34
because that movement looks great and so does the rest of the watch!

Haha I bet he was!

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 11th, 2019-13:45
Thanks for the kind words.

This is one of my favorites among the ones you showed me

 
 By: jaychang777 : March 12th, 2019-02:01
Beautiful movement and a nice story..

Thanks Jay!

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 12th, 2019-08:15
I can tell you are a movement person...

:)

 
 By: jaychang777 : March 14th, 2019-00:49

I got mine from...

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 14th, 2019-07:13
a vintage watch dealer named Mimandcroket in Barcelona. He sometimes gets nice school chronographs. It’s not so easy to find one and I know there are collectors that are crazy about these... Sometimes they come up for auctions as well.

Lovely!

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 16th, 2019-11:53
Thanks for sharing🙏🏻

Haha. Love yours!!!

 
 By: Bounce781 : March 16th, 2019-12:23
.

If memory serves...

 
 By: pplater : March 16th, 2019-08:02
...someone on this site has M. Dufour’s school watch. Cheers, pplater.

Found it...

 
 By: pplater : March 16th, 2019-08:38
(But don’t know to whom the photo credits should go) "/> Cheers, pplater. ...  

Wow thanks for sharing!

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 16th, 2019-11:56
I’ve never seen this chronometer before. What I do know is that he also made a chronograph when he was a student, and the watch is still with him I believe. Best, Z

Boom!!!!!

 
 By: Bounce781 : March 16th, 2019-12:24
A 🦄

Thanks🙏🏻

 
 By: leftpain2 : March 16th, 2019-11:58
Wish I could find out more about his watchmaking career...