In the Vallée de Joux, in Les Bioux, brothers Jean (John) and Charles Reymond founded J. & C. Reymond Frères in 1901. Early on, the company specialized in chronograph mechanisms, later adopting the name Valjoux (short for “Vallée de Joux”) in the 1920s. By 1929, the firm was officially renamed Valjoux SA, already renowned for its pocket and wristwatch chronograph ébauches.
From 1905, Reymond Frères filed key patents for the chronograph (CH 33002) and instantaneous counter jump (CH 35120). These laid the foundation for reliable industrial production. Later came mono-pusher chronographs (1914, 1916), the Valjoux–Guinand collaboration (1923), and the milestone two-pusher architecture (1935), now the standard of modern chronographs.
These calibres powered a constellation of brands (Rolex, Heuer, Breitling, Universal Genève, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, JLC, Doxa) and defined the aesthetics of 1940s–70s chronographs (pump pushers, tricompax, column wheel).
Famous examples: Rolex Daytona manual (1963–1988, 72B/722/727), Heuer Carrera 2447, Universal Compax “Nina Rindt”, early Navitimer pre-806.
In 1944, Valjoux joined the Ébauches SA holding, ensuring secure supply, standardization of parts, and long-term investments. Its chronograph specialization was maintained, strengthening its technical DNA.
As successor to the 23/72, the Valjoux 92 kept a column wheel (7 columns instead of 9), adding an oscillating pinion clutch. More streamlined and easier to produce, it was widely adopted by brands like Heuer, Rolex, and Patek in the 1950s–60s.
In 1966, Valjoux absorbed Venus and inherited the cost-effective Venus 188 cam-actuated design. Rebranded Valjoux 7730, later optimized into 7733/7734/7736, it powered countless chronographs (Heuer, Breitling, Hamilton), bringing the complication to the mass market.
In 1973, Edmond Capt’s team developed the Valjoux 7750 — an automatic chronograph with cam-switching, designed for mass CN production. Shelved during the quartz crisis, it returned in the 1980s with renewed success (IWC, Sinn, TAG Heuer). Numerous variations emerged: 7751 (full calendar + moon), 7753 tricompax, 7754 GMT, etc.
Integrated into Ébauches SA since 1944, Valjoux moved under ETA during the 1979–86 restructurings. The Valjoux name was officially absorbed on October 1, 1992. Today, “ETA 7750” is common terminology, though the Valjoux heritage remains.
| Valjoux Calibre | Iconic Watches |
|---|---|
| 22 (1914) | Pocket chronographs, early wrist chronos (1920s) |
| 23 (1916) | Universal Genève Compax, Heuer 1940s–50s, Patek Philippe ref. 130 |
| 72 (1938) | Rolex Daytona (6239, 6262, 6263), Heuer Carrera 2447, UG Compax “Nina Rindt” |
| 72C / 88 | Rolex ref. 6036 & 6236 (triple calendar + moon), UG Tri-Compax |
| 92 (1950s) | Breitling Premier, early Heuer Autavia |
| 7730/7733/7734 (1966–70s) | Hamilton Chrono-Matic, Heuer Camaro, Breitling Top Time |
| 7750 (1973–…) | IWC Fliegerchronograph 3706, TAG Heuer Carrera (7750-based), Sinn 103 |
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