1960s Baylor Chronograph Valjoux 72 40mm
Ref: 4329

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Baylor box or paperwork. The watch comes paired on a well-fitting black canvas strap with red stitching and leather under. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is sold in worn, vintage condition. But as you can see from the photos this watch is in all original condition and preserved incredibly never polished case. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

Baylor is a brand name given to watches manufactured in Switzerland by Heuer for Zales, a Dallas jewellery company. Baylor was named after an American University in Waco, Texas. Baylor-branded watches used many of the same parts as the Heuer Autavias and Carreras of the late 1960s. It is rumoured that when Heuer concentrated production towards Automatic chronographs, Zales bought many of the manual chronograph parts pennies on the dollar.

Our Baylor Chronograph is based on the early manual wind Heuer Autavia (ref. 2446). The 40mm round stainless steel case has the pushers and signed crown along the right side. A lug to lug length of 47mm and a thickness of 14mm ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist. Brushed and polished surfaces transition with crisp edges.

A plain stainless steel bezel holds a domed crystal. The black dial has an outer Tachymeter and pulsation scale chapter ring in white. Baton indexes with tritium tips and red accents, add a pop of colour. At 3 o’clock a 30-minute register, at 6 o’clock a 12-hour register and finally at 9 o’clock a 60-second continuous register. Each with a silver ring and white centres. The numerals are black and red. The hands are red highlighted with tritium tips completing this well-balanced dial. On the reverse, a screw-down case back. Inside a Manually Wound Valjoux 72, 27 Jewels, 18,000 beats per hour. This classic manual wind column-wheel, lateral clutch chronograph was in production from 1938 until 1974. Jack Heuer was a loyal supporter of Cal. 72. The Cal. 72 famously was fitted to the Rolex Daytona for nearly 30 years. Rolex renamed it the 722-1. Breitling used it in their Navitimer Ref. 806 between 1955 and 1956 in limited numbers due to a shortage of Venus 178 movements. The watch comes fitted on a 20mm leather strap.

Personal Note

Easily one of my favourite chronographs I have had the pleasure of stocking here at KibbleWatches, the condition and design paired with the story is what makes this watch really hit all the right buttons for me. Plus the size at 40mm makes it a rare beast for its age, it wears beautifully on the wrist with the shorter lug to lug dimension too. It is watches like this that are the reason I got into the business, they are special and unique and really get you excited!