1950s Vintage OFAIR Datora Triple Date Chronograph 18K Gold Valjoux 72c Watch BP
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1950s Vintage OFAIR Datora Tri-Compax 18K Gold
Valjoux 72C Triple-Date Chronograph Watch - Box & Paper
Having a love for complications and complicated watches makes me love chronographs. From simple two-register chronographs to three-register movements like the iconic Valjoux-based pieces, these movements carry a storied history — from the Rolex Pre-Daytona to high-end examples in Patek Philippe. The Valjoux 72C is one of the most celebrated manual chronograph calibers.
A chronograph combines stopwatch functionality with a timekeeping display using an independent sweep seconds hand. Triple-date chronographs add day and month wheels and create a highly collectible complication. OFAIR examples with Valjoux 72C in 18K gold are exceptionally rare.
This is a beautiful vintage 1950s OFAIR Datora (Tri-Compax) in 18K gold with the famed Valjoux 72C movement. It comes with the Original Jewelers box from OLSEN & EBANN Canada and OFAIR Genève guarantee certificate (French). Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description.
The watch is working and keeping time. It is part of our Certified Pre-Owned program (CPO). Contact us with any questions prior to purchase.
Collector’s Insight
OFAIR examples featuring the Valjoux 72C movement in 18K yellow gold are exceptionally scarce. This particular piece includes its original OLSEN & EBANN of Canada Jewelers box and guarantee paperwork — a provenance boost that significantly enhances its collectible value. Owned by a TWA pilot since the 1990s, it holds strong appeal for serious compendium collectors of mid-century chronographs.
Notably, based on dial configuration and the matching blue date wheel, this example appears to have been manufactured by Heuer — a detail that further elevates its desirability.
Key Features
✔ 18K Yellow Gold Case & Case Back
✔ Manual-winding Valjoux 72C Movement
✔ Triple-Date Chronograph (Day / Month / Date)
✔ Original Champagne Dial & Alpha Sword Hands
✔ Comes with Original OLSEN & EBANN Box and OFAIR Guarantee Certificate
✔ Circa 1950s — Exceptional collector’s piece
Specification | Brand: OFAIR | Reference: DATORA TRI COMPAX | Circa: 1950s
| Case / Bezel | ✔ 18K Yellow Gold Case and Case Back (snap on). ✔ Case size: 34.50 mm (without crown), 44.30 mm lug-to-lug. ✔ Bezel: None / smooth (original). ✔ Not tested for water resistance — please pressure test before water use. |
| Crown | ✔ Unsigned crown. Functional for winding and time setting. ✔ Shows expected age-related wear; see photos for details. |
| Crystal | ✔ Acrylic — some scratches consistent with age (see photos). |
| Dial & Hands | ✔ Original gold champagne dial with alpha sword hands. ✔ Triple-date chronograph layout with rare English day & month wheels; ✔ Light patina — see photos. |
| Complication | ✔ Seconds, Chronograph, Date, Day, Month (Triple-date). |
| Movement | ✔ Manual-winding Valjoux 72C — famed vintage chronograph caliber. |
| Movement Notes | ✔ Recently inspected; movement is running and chronograph functions operate. See photos. Time testing below. |
| Strap | ✔ Genuine Baume & Mercier leather ✔ Gold mesh Hadley USA bracelet 10K KRGP. ✔ Lug Size: 18 mm. (See photos.) |
| Box | ✔ Original Jewelers OLSEN & EBANN Box (Canada) with OFAIR Genève guarantee certificate (French). |
| Reference # | ✔ DATORA TRI COMPAX — Valjoux 72C |
| Made In | ✔ Switzerland |
| Water Resistance | ✔ No — please pressure test before water use. |
| Service Level | ✔ 3 (See Service Level tab/details for scope) |
| Timing Test ** | ✔ +15 s/day — In-house time test results (see Service Level tab). ** |
| Certified Pre-Owned | ✔ Passed 25-point inspection. See tab for details. |
| Warranty | ✔ N/A (See Service Level tab) |
| Notes | ✔ All functions tested and operable. ✔ Circa 1950s with box & papers — see photos for provenance and condition details. |
Brief History
My passion for complications and intricate mechanisms naturally led me to chronograph watches. Early single‑register chronographs offered dial simplicity while still delivering stopwatch functionality. Over time, the evolution into three‑register chronographs introduced greater technical sophistication and a rich lineage of legendary vintage chronograph movements.
Among the most iconic are the Omega Caliber 321 and Caliber 861 (famously used in the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch during the Apollo 11 landing), the Zenith El Primero (one of the first automatic chronographs), Venus calibers often found in Breitling chronographs, Landeron movements, and of course Valjoux, one of the most celebrated Swiss movement makers.
The Valjoux 72 powered vintage Rolex Pre‑Daytona models, while the Valjoux 88 was chosen for the Patek Philippe Ref. 2499, a grail piece that sold for $3.3 million at auction in 2018. Another milestone was the Heuer Caliber 11, the first micro‑rotor automatic chronograph with a date function, which marked a turning point in watchmaking innovation.
At its core, a chronograph watch combines traditional timekeeping with stopwatch functionality, typically through an independent sweep seconds hand. Many feature additional complications such as elapsed‑time registers, moonphase indicators, or pulsometer scales. Most chronographs employ pushers at two and four o’clock to start, stop, and reset the mechanism (unless designed as a monopusher).
The word chronograph comes from the Greek Chronos (time) and graph (to write). The first modern chronograph was created in 1816 by French watchmaker Louis Moinet for astronomical use, capable of measuring to 1/60th of a second — an extraordinary achievement for its era.
Finally, the so‑called “Poor Man’s Heuer” represents a fascinating chapter in Heuer’s history. These were chronographs manufactured by Heuer for other brands, notably Zodiac and Clebar, two of my personal favorites. It’s important to note that some watches casually labeled as “Poor Man’s Heuer” on platforms like eBay were never produced by Heuer, so careful attribution is essential for collectors.
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I have bought few watches from them and recommend them if you are looking to buy a watch. I as actually able to buy few watches from them that were not listed on their website. Apparently they have a lot of inventory that doesn’t even make it to the website. So if your are looking for vintage watches, you might want email them, if you can’t find it on the site.
Thank you for all the help Raymin.
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