{"product_id":"chronographe-altitude-competition-plaque-or-venus-188-cadran-noir-annees-1960","title":"Chronograph Altitude Competition Gold-Plated Venus 188 — Black Dial (1960s) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAltitude Competition — A Swiss chronograph with a legendary movement\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot all great vintage chronographs bear a famous name — and that is precisely what makes this \u003cstrong\u003eAltitude Competition\u003c\/strong\u003e so intriguing. In the Swiss watchmaking world of the 1960s, alongside the manufactures, there were the \u003cstrong\u003eétablisseurs\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor beneath this \u003cstrong\u003eblack dial « gilt »\u003c\/strong\u003e — with its gilt lettering and scales, the signature of the finest chronographs of the era — beats a \u003cstrong\u003eVenus 188 caliber\u003c\/strong\u003e. This hand-wound movement, introduced in 1948, is no ordinary one: it is the direct ancestor of the Valjoux 7730, then the \u003cstrong\u003eValjoux 7750\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial brings together all the codes of the sixties sports chronograph: \u003cstrong\u003etwo registers\u003c\/strong\u003e (small seconds and chronograph minutes), \u003cstrong\u003eluminescent Arabic numerals\u003c\/strong\u003e, gilt hands, and a \u003cstrong\u003e« Kms » tachymetric scale\u003c\/strong\u003e for measuring speed. The mention \u003cem\u003eIncabloc 17 jewels\u003c\/em\u003e confirms a well-made shock-resistant movement. The \u003cstrong\u003e35mm gold-plated case\u003c\/strong\u003e, with its elongated lugs, gives it an elegant presence faithful to its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA piece for the connoisseur who looks beneath the dial rather than at the name on it: an authentic \u003cstrong\u003evintage Swiss chronograph\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree points to note about this piece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManual-winding Venus 188 caliber: the direct ancestor of the Valjoux 7750, the most widespread automatic chronograph in the world.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack dial « gilt » with two registers, luminescent numerals, and a tachymetric scale — all the hallmarks of the sixties chronograph.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssembled by the Swiss établisseur Altitude: a great movement in an accessible watch, for those who favor mechanics over the name.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca title=\"Vintage Luxury Watches\" href=\"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/collections\/montres-vintage-collection-occasion-luxe\"\u003eSee our other vintage luxury watches →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e | \u003cem\u003e\u003ca title=\"Vintage Watches 500-1000€\" href=\"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/collections\/montres-vintage-500-1000\"\u003eSee our vintage chronographs →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Altitude\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Competition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1960s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Switzerland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGender:\u003c\/strong\u003e Men's and women's watch (Unisex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Manual winding, Venus 188 caliber (cam-actuated chronograph, 17 jewels, Incabloc)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, tachymetric scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-plated, round shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase back:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  35mm (36mm with crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnd to end:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.6mm (Crystal included)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black \"gilt\" with two registers and luminous Arabic numerals, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Luminous gold-plated, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Domed plexiglass, good condition (8\/10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black alligator-style leather, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuckle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buckle, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition and warranty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not guaranteed (vintage watch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lifetime guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serviced movement, 1-year warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Atelier Victor invoice, protective case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original box and papers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is an \"établisseur\" like Altitude?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Venus 188 caliber interesting?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this chronograph work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the international delivery time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShipping within 48 hours, worldwide delivery in 3 to 5 days via DHL Express, insurance included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Altitude Competition","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47997323706705,"sku":"#hgd650","price":670.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/chronographe-altitude-competition-plaque-or-venus-188-cadran-noir-annees-1960-atelier-victor-1.jpg?v=1780995027","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/altitude-competition-venus-188-chronograph-black-gold-1960s","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}