Chronograph Altitude Competition Gold-Plated Venus 188 — Black Dial (1960s)
Only 1 available
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Serviced movement & 1 year warranty
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Altitude Competition — A Swiss chronograph with a legendary movement
Not all great vintage chronographs bear a famous name — and that is precisely what makes this Altitude Competition so intriguing. In the Swiss watchmaking world of the 1960s, alongside the manufactures, there were the établisseurs: maisons that did not manufacture their own movements but selected the finest ébauches from the leading movement makers to dress them in refined cases and dials. Altitude was one of them, and the piece assembled here conceals an exceptional heart.
For beneath this black dial « gilt » — with its gilt lettering and scales, the signature of the finest chronographs of the era — beats a Venus 188 caliber. This hand-wound movement, introduced in 1948, is no ordinary one: it is the direct ancestor of the Valjoux 7730, then the Valjoux 7750, still today the most widespread automatic chronograph movement in the world. Venus, which also supplied Breitling, disappeared in 1966 — making each watch equipped with one of its calibers a witness to a bygone era.
The dial brings together all the codes of the sixties sports chronograph: two registers (small seconds and chronograph minutes), luminescent Arabic numerals, gilt hands, and a « Kms » tachymetric scale for measuring speed. The mention Incabloc 17 jewels confirms a well-made shock-resistant movement. The 35mm gold-plated case, with its elongated lugs, gives it an elegant presence faithful to its age.
A piece for the connoisseur who looks beneath the dial rather than at the name on it: an authentic vintage Swiss chronograph, with a historic movement, at a price far removed from the sought-after brands. Selected, authenticated, and serviced by Atelier Victor. Fast and secure international shipping.
Three points to note about this piece
- Manual-winding Venus 188 caliber: the direct ancestor of the Valjoux 7750, the most widespread automatic chronograph in the world.
- Black dial « gilt » with two registers, luminescent numerals, and a tachymetric scale — all the hallmarks of the sixties chronograph.
- Assembled by the Swiss établisseur Altitude: a great movement in an accessible watch, for those who favor mechanics over the name.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Altitude
- Model: Competition
- Estimated year: 1960s
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Manual winding, Venus 188 caliber (cam-actuated chronograph, 17 jewels, Incabloc)
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, tachymetric scale
- Case: Gold-plated, round shape
- Case back: Steel
- Dimensions: 35mm (36mm with crown)
- End to end: 43mm
- Thickness: 12.6mm (Crystal included)
- Lug width: 18mm
- Crown: Not original
- Dial: Black "gilt" with two registers and luminous Arabic numerals, original
- Hands: Luminous gold-plated, original
- Crystal: Domed plexiglass, good condition (8/10)
- Bracelet: Black alligator-style leather, not original
- Buckle: Buckle, not original
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition: Beautiful state of preservation for a piece from the 1960s. Original black gilt dial, case in gold-plated in beautiful condition, Crystal plexi in good condition (8/10).
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Movement: Serviced movement, 1-year warranty
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice, protective case
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
-
What is an "établisseur" like Altitude?
In Swiss watchmaking, an établisseur is a house that does not manufacture its own movements but assembles watches from ébauches purchased from major movement makers (here Venus), fitted with carefully crafted cases and dials. This was a common and respected practice in the 1940s-1960s, allowing access to excellent movements under lesser-known brands. -
Is the Venus 188 caliber interesting?
Very much so. Introduced in 1948, it is the direct ancestor of the Valjoux 7730 and then the Valjoux 7750, still today the most widespread automatic chronograph movement in the world. Venus, which also equipped Breitling, disappeared in 1966: owning one of its calibers means owning a piece of watchmaking history. -
How does this chronograph work?
It is a hand-wound chronograph: you wind the crown every day, and the pushers allow you to start, stop, and reset the time measurement to zero. The movement has been serviced by our team and is guaranteed for 1 year. -
What is the international delivery time?
Shipping within 48 hours, worldwide delivery in 3 to 5 days via DHL Express, insurance included.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard — American Express not accepted)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer starting from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, inspected, and photographed by us. Our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos, or a video of the piece in hand.
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