Now Available: Heteca Durexact Valjoux 72 Vintage Chronograph

What is a Heteca Durexact you might ask? I’ve never been able to find that out! My best hypothesis is that it was a brand and model formed to work around mid century import restrictions based on another engraving being blocked out on the movement during manufacturing (i.e. there’s a box over a previous engraving that is very intentional and not done after market). In either case, what you get is a super cool, chunky, circa late 1950s chronograph that oozes vintage charm from the radium burned dial, to the fat chamfered lugs, high domed acrylic crystal, and awesome sword hands that are now “skeletonized” due to radium loss.

This watch was serviced around 2017 and has an extremely crisp and satisfying winding and chronograph feel and keeps great time. I just don’t know where you can find a watch that’s this charming and attractive for a price less than most tired Valjoux 773x variants these days.

DIAL: matte-eggshell / white / silver dial is radium burned and has a warm vintage aesthetic throughout. The hands have suffered from lume loss, which is how I found the watch in 2016. The high domed acrylic crystal completes the vintage aesthetic that has so much warmth and charm.

CASE: I was surprised to learn this stainless steel case is just 35mm as it wears with a lot more presence than something like the Movado M95 with the thick long lugs. The lugs have very prominent, fat chamfers and the unsigned crown and pushers all have a wonderful feel. The case has even, age commensurate wear throughout.

Movement: the venerable Valjoux 72 is in excellent condition having been serviced in early 2017 and worn sparingly since. Winding, setting, timing keeping, and chronograph functions are working as they should and feel so mechanically crisp and satisfying.

The watch is currently on a short length Horween Shell Cordovan vintage strap, but can be substituted based on preference and availability.

The watch is ready to ship from Phoenix, AZ.

Price: $1200 including shipping and insurance within the continental US, shipping outside of the continental US at cost. Payment by wire, ACH, or PP F&F with references.

I have numerous references on here, Reddit, chronotrader, WUS, eBay, instagram, etc.