SOLD-Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch

Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch

WRIST ICONS presents an unique piece. This is a Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch. This is a very nice graduating watch or Montreal École from the watchmaking school of Saint-Imier (called Technicum cantonal of Saint-Imier from 1960 to 1975). Nowadays this school still exists as part of the The Arc Engineering High School , the result of the merger of the engineering schools of Locle (EICN) and St-Imier (EIS).

The watchmaking school of Saint-Imier was founded in 1866 in a region - the arc Jura - and at a time when the watch industry is expanding. As in Geneva , La Chaux-de-Fonds and Besançon , it was important for Saint-Imier to have a vocational school that can train a skilled workforce in an increasingly mechanical manufacturing process. Saint Imier is nowadays the home of Longines and it used to be the home of Breitling and Heuer.

At watchmaking schools at that time, students could follow classes for 2, 3, 4, and 5 and 1/2 years. The students who studied the most years had to pass their exam by building a graduating piece’ an observatory chronometer. Trough the 50s and the 60s watchmakers were competing to make the most precise watch movement. To make the competition fair, all testing was done at observatories. Neuchatel Observatory, Geneva Observatory, Besancon Observatory, and Kew Observatory were examples of observatories that certified the accuracy of mechanical timepieces.

Some of the students who graduated as a Ingénieur Technicien after 5 and 1/2 years also made an additional optional wristwatch to complete their course. This watch is such a piece. It was bought by a collector friend who’s interest lies in the chronometer pocket and desk watches. This is sort of his side catch. He bought this piece directly from an alumnus from the Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier. I am completely in love with this piece since it shows an unique craftsmanship. It has the coveted Valjoux 23 movement inside, which is a celebrated hand-winding chronograph movement in the Valjoux 72 family produced from 1916 through 1974. The Valjoux 23 and 72 are almost identical except that the latter adds a 12 hour counter at 6:00 on the dial.The Valjoux 23 family is 13 ligne in size (29.5 mm) with a nine-pillar column wheel. It is typically a two-register design, with small seconds at 9:00 and a 30- or 45-minute counter at 3:00.

The movement of this Montreal École has been hand finished  and looks really stunning.  This particular piece runs as a chronometer Besides the highly skilled movement there is more to admire. Look at that dial!! It has golden hour markers as well as really interesting sword looking golden hands which are also seen in some of the Patek Phillip models such as some of the examples of reference 3417 the Amagnetic as we’ll as the Calatrava references 3466  and 2584 . It comes with a WRIST ICONS leather strap of choice made by Jean Paul Menicucci and will soon available on the WRIST ICONS website. Get the opportunity to get a really unique Montreal École in a almost new condition of more than 45 years old:-)

Condition

This stunning unique example of this Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal School Watch is in almost unused condition. It has all the good parts what makes this a great looking vintage piece. The watch is worn only a few times and the case is really sharp and has some scratches on it.

• Dial: This Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch has a glossy champagne silver dial with golden hour markers. The dial has applied golden faceted hour markers and  a minute track with numbers at each 5 seconds. On the dial is written the name of the school in a really attractive font, very well balanced between the center and top at 12 o clock.
• Hands:  It has the most interesting sword style hands which are faceted.
• Crystal: a flat acrylic crystal.
• Case: Case shows looks almost unused although it has some tiny scratches on it
• Crown: original flat crown
• Bracelet/strap: comes with a new WRIST ICONS leather strap made by Jean Paul Menicucci.
• Movement: Just checked by our watchmaker. Running perfectly with a one year service warranty.
• Accessories: comes with a new WRIST ICONS leather watch pouch made by Jean Paul Menicucci.if ordered at WRIST ICONS
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Notes: Absolutely stunning example of a super desirable UNIQUE Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch

Overall, the Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch is noteworthy, both for its design and execution. This Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch is remarkably well preserved. 

As with all of our pre-owned watches this watch comes with a full 12 month warranty with ourselves that will be invoked from the day of purchase.

Viewings can be arranged at our office by appointment.

Specifications:

• Brand:                   none
• Model:                  school watch
• Movement:             The mechanical Valjoux 23 caliber is 13 ligne in size (29.5 mm) with a nine-pillar column wheel. It is typically a two-register design, with small seconds at 9:00 and a 30- or 45-minute counter at 3:00
• It's constructed with 17 jewels, the movement oscillates at a frequency of 18,800 vph
• Functions:             Hour, minute, second,  CHRONOGRAPH
• Features:               unrestored dial
• Case Diameter:       This Montre Ecole Technicum Cantonal Ecole d’Horlogerie St’ Imier School Watch also measures 34,7 mm in and 12,2mm thickness and 42,0mm from lug-to-lug.
• Lug Width:            18mm
• Case:                    stainless steel, The 34,7mm diameter solid two-body case, downturned lugs, and angled bezel are polished and there is an snap back case back secured.
• Crystal:                 acrylic
• Bracelet:               comes with a new WRIST ICONS leather strap made by Jean Paul Menicucci.