Here we have an outstanding late 1930s Zodiac Stainless Steel Chronograph, with a rare, eye-catching Salmon dial with roman numerals and the innovative Landeron 47 movement. The full Steel case measures 34mm in diameter and was produced by Sandviken for the Swedish market.
It has an uncommon 3 button layout for the chronograph, with the classic top and bottom pusher, plus a pusher on the crown.
The Salmon dial is rare and has a beautiful tone, with the luminous roman numeral hour markers. It has two sub-dials with the Tachymetre scale to the centre. The cream second chapter is a neat touch, with the Telemetre scale around the exterior. It has the original thermally blued hands which catch the eye.
The snap-on case back is signed with the reference 714 77. Inside it has the marks for Sandviken Steel. The Landeron 47 movement has been recently serviced and is keeping reliable time, with the chronograph functioning well.
The dial is the standout aspect of the watch, offering a harmonious blend of beauty and function. Firstly, the beauty. Salmon tone dials are already collectable and uncommon, but there are very few examples of Salmon chronograph dials. The inclusion of Roman numerals hour markers is also uncommon. This is further compounded by the use of radium luminous paint which is finely applied.
The use of red text for the Telemetre and Tachymeter scales is a stroke of genius. It dovetails with the Salmon tone, whilst still being legible. The clarity provided by the cream tone minute/seconds chapter is a pleasing break in the dial, providing contrast. The sub-dials are neatly proportioned either side of the centre of the dial with the grained concentric circles creating a sunburst finish. The left sub-dial has the constant seconds with a thin thermally blued hand with lollipop counterbalance. The right sub-dial is a 30-minute counter for the chronograph function. It has the thermally blued arrow hand with the neat, tapered finish.
The hours and minutes are indicated by the leaf style hands which shine brightly in the light with the thermally blued finish. The central second hand is also thermally blued and has an understated counterbalance design. The name is proudly signed with the Zodiac name below 12 in a period font. Below, the dial is marked ‘Suisse’.
The case is neatly proportioned at 34mm in diameter with a depth of 11.25mm. It has a larger presence than its strict diameter due to the pushers and large crown with the monopusher, measuring 38mm to the crown. The lug-to-lug length is also strong at 42.5mm.
The full Stainless-Steel case is signed with the ‘Sandviken’ name. Sandviken are a Swedish steel manufacturer founded in 1862, which is still operating today. It produced steel products, including watch cases and now specialises in engineering equipment. It is a three piece case design with the snap on bezel, solid centre and snap on back. The bezel has a thin, flat surround to the crystal before it bevels to fall to blend into the flow of the case. The lugs are well sized, yet elegant with the tapered design. They have a brushed finish to the top, with the flat sides of the case also having a brushed finish. From the side profile the taper of the lugs to hug the wrist is clearly visible. To the right are the rectangular pushers at 2 and 4 O’clock, sandwiching the large crown. The crown has the monopusher to reset the chronograph to the centre. The snap on case back has a polished finish and is signed with the reference 714 77. Inside it is marked ‘Sandviken Stal Import’ with the initials ‘MC’.
Inside is the recently serviced Landeron Calibre 47. It was a movement which was unusual in many ways. Not only was it the first cam-actuated chronograph, but it used three buttons rather than the more common single or double pusher configuration. The Chronograph is started by using the pusher at 2 O’clock and stopped with the pusher at 4 O’clock. It is then reset by the pusher on the crown.
Examples of the true Landeron 47 are uncommon due to the developments of the calibre 48 shortly after. Parts were interchangeable and there was a floating transition with many modifications. This indicates that the watch will have been from the first year of production in 1937.
The novelty of this 3 button chronograph configuration combines the traditional two button approach, with the joy of a monopusher on the crown. This gives this watch additional allure and intrigue that separates it from the rest of the pack.
This is a real case of ‘find another’. Sleep on this example and you will regret it.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is in good original condition. The salmon tone is bright and even. The red Telemetre and Tachymetre scale are good and clear. The sub-dial signing is clear, with the Zodiac Suisse signing to the centre. The cream second chapter is good and bright. The luminous roman numeral hour markers are good, with the original aged radium luminous paint. There are some light marks as expected with age.
Hands:
All of the hands are original. They are thermally blued and are in good, unbent condition with a bright shine to the finish. They only have some slight marks.
Glass:
The mineral crystal is a modern replacement which is a good fit, with a bevelled edge. It is unmarked.
Pushers:
The pushers are in decent condition and are original. They are chrome plated and have slight wear of the plate with age and use. There is brassing, which the gold tone of the brass showing in areas.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light surface scratching.
Case:
The case is formed of stainless steel and is in good unpolished condition. It has the polished finish to the bezel, which has light scratching. The top of the lugs and sides of the case have a brushed finish which is good and original, with some light marking. There are some slight nicks to the sides of the lugs as expected with age.
Caseback:
The case back is stainless steel and is in good condition. It has the original polished finish, which has light surface scratching. It appears unpolished and the reference number is well defined.
Movement:
The movement is a Landeron calibre 47. It is a 17 jewel, manual wind Chronograph movement. It operates at a frequency of 18,000 BPH and has a 41 hour power reserve. It has a chronograph central second hand, constant seconds and 30 minute counter.
The movement has been recently serviced. It is functioning well and keeping accurate time to within +/- 5 seconds deviation a day, with an amplitude of 330 degrees and a beat error of 1.0m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 34mm Case width with crown: 38mm Case length: 34.25mm
Case length lug to lug: 42.5mm Case Depth: 11.25mm Lug width: 18mm