This Le Cheminant Skymaster features a long playing, three register manual wind chronograph movement.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
The Venus 178 movement was used widely throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, most notably in the Breitling Navitimer 806 (a watch now you would be lucky to find for £3,000). We know that Le Cheminant restarted production in the late 1950’s, and that the 3 minute telephone markers on chronograph minute dials went out of fashion in the early 1960’s, so circa 1959 is a good estimate.
CONDITION
The proportions of this Skymaster are very nicely done. The dial is nearly symmetrical, and the pump style pushers and dagger hands look great. Condition wise, the dial is very clean with no evidence of damage by either smoke no water. The telemeter scale printed on the outer part of the dial in blue is still crisp and undamaged, and all the tritium lume plots are on the seconds ring. Each subdial has the LP ring decoration. The quality movement features a column wheel chronograph (unlike the cheaper cam driven chronographs), and all functions work perfectly. The bracelet is an unbranded stainless steel affair, but the styling suits so we cleaned it on our ultrasonic bath and refitted it. Alternatively this watch could be worn happily on a leather strap. The chromed case is free from major damage, just showing some plate wear, and the screw down case back reveals an anti-magnetic cover to protect the movement.
This watch will be supplied with our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail.
SIZE
Width with crown 37.8 mm
Width without crown 35.0 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 43.3 mm
Case Thickness 13.2 mm
Bracelet maximum length 205 mm
All sizes are approximate
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries via DHL Worldwide, which we subsidise. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.