Hi OF,

Recently purchased a Croton chronograph. It has a chrome body (pretty faded but still in good condition) with a snail tachymeter dial.

Preliminary examinations of the dial does tell me that it looks original.



It was advertised as a Venus 170 movement. The movement is however signed Croton 380. Is this the same as the Venus 170?


The inside of the case back is signed.


The biggest flaw however is that the crown is a replacement and it’s in stainless steel and does not match the case a big pity. Probably would be difficult to find a replacement for it. Crystal is clean and scratch free, so that’s definitely a replacement.


So I haven’t been able to find out more information about the watch. It’s a small watch at 33mm. But I was really attracted to the large breguet style numerals.

So what do you guys think? Would like to hear if anyone has more info too.

 

Hello,nice watch...the movement it is Venus 170,personalized by Croton,...bad for chromed case, but a nice find after all!

 

Do you mean that it is a pity the Croton used a chromed case?

 

A stainless steel case is always better instead of chromed cases ,but many watches from that years was made in this way,.

 

I don't have much to add, but I basically agree with your observations. Nice original dial. Venus 170. I think you can certainly find a crown that better matches the color of the case.

 

Original dial, Venus 170 as mentioned, and crown would not have been signed on most of these types of chronos.

Get it serviced, a polish/replaced crystal, a colour matching crown and it will look great.

33mm is a comfortable size I've found...

 

Indeed. This watch is supposedly from the 1940s. Many watches were chrome case then.

 

Yes, that would be my next mission. At least find a matching crown. A little weird for a stainless steel crown - sticking out like a sore thumb

 

Lovely piece you have too! The crystal is already replacement by the previous owner. Fit pretty well. Yes you are right, a matching crown will definitely transform the piece.

 

A wrist shot. Don’t mind the strap, I can’t find one that fits.

Actually the chrome plated has faded so much, it would probably be hard to find a crown that matches the case.

 

What is the lug spacing? It shouldn't be hard to find an appropriate strap.

 

It’s 18mm. Just that it has a narrow space between the lug holes and the case, so the strap need to be thin. It shouldn’t be hard to find a strap , just that I don’t have any thin 18mm straps now.

 

Beautiful. Chrome is not s big deal on a stunning watch.

 

Stainless steel was rare in those days. Nothing wrong with a chromium case.

 

You always have a knack for finding good stuff kudos

 

Absolutely lovely. My chrono above is also chrome cased as well as 18mm lugs. Easier since you have springbars, so a decent pigskin strap should be a relatively simple pickup

 

Well said there. I've always avoided chrome plated case as they don't age well. But with a stunning dial like this, I simply couldn't resist and went ahead.
So like you said, "chrome is not a big deal on a stunning watch".

 

I think the knack is not as strong as yours.

 

Anyway here are more photos with a proper looking strap:

 

Just sharing another photo.