When it comes to vintage chronographs, Doxa chronographs from the 1940s hold a particularly intriguing appeal for collectors and enthusiasts alike. In recent times, they have gained quite a following among the most ardent vintage chronograph enthusiasts. Judging by the example offered here today, it’s not hard to see why.
Founded in 1889 in Le Locle by Georges Ducommun, Doxa originally specialized in dress watches. Over the years, the company has diversified its offerings significantly. During the early 20th century, Doxa introduced a wide array of timepieces, ranging from simple time-only watches for everyday use to alarm clocks, intricate ladies' cocktail watches, ultra-precise cockpit instruments, and even wristwatches issued specifically for military use. The 1940s and 50s was a particularly notable period for Doxa, as they unveiled a series of sophisticated chronographs that combined stylish designs with the stringent standards of accuracy and precision that had become synonymous with the brand.
Offered here today is a remarkable example of a Doxa anti-magnetic chronograph from the 1940s, which showcases the pinnacle of Doxa's technical and design expertise during the mid-20th century. If you haven’t noticed from the photographs, this is quite a special example as it is fitted with a Spillmann case, which is widely considered by many to be one of the best waterproof case makers of its era. The case is characterized by its distinctive, angular, downward-turning lugs that give it a muscular look. The example we have here features one such masculine screw-down case, flanked with pump pushers, and is powered by the venerable manual-winding Valjoux Cal. 22, a high-quality, column-wheel movement that was used only on higher-end chronographs from that era.
Moving on, the glossy black dial seen here in our example is truly remarkable. When a vintage watch incorporates a glossy black dial alongside a multi-scale chronograph layout, it typically creates the recipe for a stunning vintage chronograph, provided it ages gracefully—and our featured example certainly lives up to this expectation. Its intricate telemeter scales are still in great condition, with very consistent ageing throughout the dial, as well as on the Arabic numerals and the hands.
It's hard to dispute the timeless allure of a well-crafted, multi-scale chronograph, particularly when it has a lustrous black dial with well-balanced sub-dials within a beautifully executed Spillmann-style steel case. Again, speaking as a big fan of vintage chronographs, trust me when I say, this one is pretty special.
