E335, Valjoux 72 Chronograph, Steel

This ref. E335 is an early Lecoultre chronograph made largely for the US market with a column-wheel Valjoux 72. They are not terribly common and span a massive range of dial and hand configurations. For all the watchmaking prowess and storied history of the Grande Maison, there is an immense charm about their Valjoux 72 chronographs. They wear like vintage Universal Genève or even Pre-Daytona cases, yet often sport even simpler dials.

The dial and movement here are marked as Lecoultre-only for trademark & import tax reasons. This was standard practice for the brand from 1937 until 1985, with a few exceptions. This white-silver dial is one of the more minimal, with a blue tachymetric scale and no distractions. And there is still typical JLC attention to detail as you'd expect. Each of these numerals is cut and applied in steel, not paint. All subdial hands and its chronograph hand are blued steel. Together with the numerals, the dials sports many details which react to light at different angles beautifully.

In my time with it I have found it an incredibly easy and adaptable watch to wear, not only for the subdued white-silver dial but also its 36mm case design, which has these surprisingly angular lug facets that help it wear close to the wrist. The shape is clearly 1960s, but the earlier half of the decade. This is in every detail a peer of the Carrera or Pre-Daytona crowd, but was simply not as widely sold.

This example is in excellent overall condition. The case is very full, with lugs that have great edges. Its dial similarly strong, all scripts are still very clear and legible. There is a very small mark pictured above the 3 of '30' in the right hand register. Its tritium lume is all present and full, I suspect the hands may have been relumed as the tone is a slightly different to the dial, and under UV light will fade off a little longer. The look is not very far off though, in our opinion, as pictured. The Valjoux 72 has been serviced and is running well within spec. It comes on the pictured blue leather strap.

This watch is modeled on a relatively large 7.7 inch wrist.