Walkman Chronograph (1960’s) Valjoux 7733

Description: Wakmann Diver Chronograph (1960s) Movement: Manual Landeron 248 Case size: 39mm Note the similarity to the Le Jour and Yema references from this period. These references were imported from France and produced by Yema. Wakmann - Icko Wakmann, a Russian emigre of Jewish background, began his watch business in Portugal in 1943 during WWII selling high-end European watch brands. When the US imposed the Swiss Watch Import Act, Wakmann moved his business to New York City to take advantage of the loopholes in the import act. The import act is why you see the US imported versions of Swiss and other European watch brands from this time with only 17 jewels instead of the more common 24 or 25 jewels for the same watch references sold in Europe, as the rubies were taxed as part of the import duties. Wakmann began operations in 1946 in New York City where he was appointed official producer and deliverer for the US Military during WWII. As a result of this success The Wakmann Watch Company became a publicly listed company and was able to negotiate a joint venture with Breitling in 1947 - the Breitling Watch Corporation of America. Since the Act applied to complete watches imported, Wakmann imported the unassembled parts manufactured by Breitling in Switzerland, and then assembled them in the US using the Wakmann brand name on the dial and avoided customs duties. These watches are essentially Breitling watches in all but the name on the dial - important point as you can usually acquire them for a nice discount off the price of a similar Breitling branded reference. Wakmann assembled a variety of high quality watches with all Swiss made parts. Some of its most famous references included the Triple Calendar Chronograph and its Regatta Yachting Chronograph. Wakmann also sold co-branded chronographs with Charles Gigandet, an well-established Swiss brand, these can be found with the Gigandet brand name on the dial. Unfortunately, like its partner Breitling, Wakmann was a casualty of the 1970s quartz crisis. Both the Breitling and Wakmann brand names have been resurrected from their deaths at the end of the 1970s, however, it is the modern Breitling name that is the more familiar and desirable. Wakmann are still producing Swiss-made watches, but these are not regularly seen in the US.

Price: 1600 USD

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

End Time: 2024-12-15T18:07:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD