Delma Venus 170 Chronograph, 36 mm, Tropical Dial, as new condition, Incredible Value, Circa 1950s

This is a very excellent and handsome timepiece from Delma Watch Company. The watch sports an unforgettable two-tone tropical dial with a vertical chrono layout and outer tachometer track in a contrasting black color. The condition of the dial is “as new”. The layout of the dial differentiates this watch because the chronograph 60-minute counter (on top) and the subsidiary seconds dial (bottom) are vertically positioned.

The case is 36mm waterproof. Highly wearable for a man, or a woman wishing to wear an oversized sports watch.

The watch runs on a superior quality Venus 170 column wheel chronograph movement. This movement was produced between 1942-1960 and was utilized by a number of Swiss brands, including Wyler, Gallet, Breitling, Wittnauer, and Heuer. Launched in the middle of World War II, Venus 170 reflects the requirements of the period: it is a high quality and dependable movement without superfluities (such as Geneva stripes or high polish decorations) that would perhaps be inappropriate in the middle of a global struggle. The mechanism itself is buttery smooth thanks to the more expensive vertical clutch configuration of the column-wheel.

The dial layout makes this watch a rarity: while there were several ebauche dual register movements circulated in the past, far fewer were produced with this vertical layout.  One of the few exceptions to this would be the Valjoux 77, produced between 1946-1950, accounting for less than a quarter produced by comparison.

Our watch runs strong and hardly shows signs of use. We guarantee the movement for 12-months for this watch, because of the condition and the fact that Venus movements are easily serviced. This is a beautiful and unusual watch that you wear without worrying about scratching it or damaging it.

Venus 170 Movement Technical Data

Winding: Manual-winding, integrated column-wheel (8 column gear)

Jewels:  17

Frequency: 18,000 VpH

Power Reserve: 40 hrs

About the Delma Watch Company

The Delma Watch Company was established in Lengnau, Switzerland in 1924 as an independent company producing watches with greater water resistance. The company continues to make specialist diver’s watches and chronographs to this day. Delma produced their first chronograph in 1946 and their first automatic Diver’s watch in 1969. The Gilomen brothers originally registered four brands: Thuya, Midland, Delma and Gil. The Delma brand name first appeared on watches in 1933. It was established as the company’s name in 1966 with the company taken over by Ulrich Wüthrich and Fritz Fankhauser123.