Photo Credit: lukedequ
Vintage Wakmann Chronograph Wristwatch from the 1950s
Buy It Now Price: $1,350 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This is a sharp-looking, manual wind, two-register, vintage Wakmann Chronograph wristwatch from the 1950s. Chronograph is just a fancy way to say the wristwatch in question functions as a stopwatch.
-The wristwatch measures 35 mm (1.38 inches) wide, excluding the crown. The watch case is chrome-plated base metal and the back of the case is stainless steel. These are fairly typical materials for the time period.
-The Wakmann Watch Company, founded in New York City in 1946, was an importer and producer of high quality wristwatches, particularly chronographs. The company partnered with the well known European watch manufacturer Breitling for much of its existence. After several prosperous decades, the Wakmann watch brand finally succumbed to the flood of cheap quartz watches in the 1970s.
-This vintage Wakmann Chronograph wristwatch sports the legendary Swiss Landeron calibre 48 movement. Starting around World War II, the 17 jewel calibre 48 brought professional grade chronograph features within reach of the average individual for the first time.
-Between 1937 and 1970, over 3.5 million Landeron calibre 48 movements and related models were produced, making it one of the most successful chronograph watch movements ever developed.
-The movement appears to be in good condition, with no evidence of rust. Rust is the number one pitfall to avoid in a vintage mechanical wristwatch movement.
-The original dial has not been refinished and is in excellent condition. Both the style of the dial and the Landeron calibre 48 movement are consistent with a 1950s attribution for this watch.
-Based on the attractive appearance and relatively clean condition of this vintage Wakmann Chronograph wristwatch, I think the $1,350 asking price is fair.
Other Vintage Chronograph Wristwatches
Cons:
-Although Wakmann produced some very fine wristwatches, the brand does not have the same cachet associated with top tier vintage watch manufacturers like Rolex, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre or its longtime partner, Breitling. A vintage chronograph wristwatch from one of these luxury producers would be more desirable, as well as substantially more expensive.
-The chrome plating is pitted or worn through on several small areas of the watch body and crown. Assuming the movement is in good order, this is the most significant condition problem that the watch has. While it does lower the value of the piece somewhat, I think this defect is relatively minor.
-The seller states that this vintage Wakmann Chronograph wristwatch keeps good time. It would still be wise to have the watch professionally inspected and serviced, however. This could cost another $100 to $300 on top of the purchase price.
