Mathey-Tissot Chronograph

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Hello all,

I recently plunged into the realm of complications with my first chronograph, a Mathey-Tissot. The chronograph itch had been steadily intensifying when this piece unexpectedly presented itself. I knew next to nothing about M.T. but the elegant dial/hands, substantial 36mm case, and Valjoux 23 movement all piqued my interest. A deal was struck and I couldn’t be happier with the watch. I am now aware that M.T. was involved in the manufacturing of Type 20 chronographs but I wonder if anyone has more information about my watch and this uncommon firm.

Here are some images.

 
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You've chosen quite well for your first foray into chronographs! Mathey Tissot were never gov't issued as Type 20s, though I believe they did supply cases to Brueget for the earliest issued under that spec.

The Mathey Tissot civilian versions certainly stand on their own merits, and you have bagged a nice one!

@LouS has a very nice civilian example in stainless steel.
 
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Agree, great buy DD12. Dress (read "gold") chronographs are still hugely undervalued in the collector community, and I loves me some two subdial goodness from an out-of-the-way brand.

I've forgotten where I read it, but the writer claimed that M-T was responsible for the assembly of the Breguet Type 20s. The civilian ones were made from surplus production.

You've chosen quite well for your first foray into chronographs! Mathey Tissot were never gov't issued as Type 20s, though I believe they did supply cases to Brueget for the earliest issued under that spec.

The Mathey Tissot civilian versions certainly stand on their own merits, and you have bagged a nice one!

@LouS has a very nice civilian example in stainless steel.

Why thank you kind sir.
 
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Thanks for the input @Darlinboy and @LouS, I really appreciate it.

I had been ogling many a stainless steel chronograph but the gravity of this gold MT seemed to pull me towards it. That civilian Type 20 isn't too bad though 😗.
 
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Both are very nice examples. That stainless civilian version is just WOW....m
 
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Here is a similar MT with the same style of caseback, albeit signed. I would be interested to see the inside of your caseback and movement to compare with similar examples. Regardless, nice watch!

http://www.onlytime.fr/annonce/mathey-tissot-chronographe-de-1960/251

To be honest I haven't receive the watch yet.... I am not so sure whether it is a signed caseback...looking at the photos it might be a case of overpolishing..... hmmm looking at your link the watch that i bought might have an original caseback..... this is the 1st time I have seen this most of the time the caseback would have screw holes as attached with the pics above....
View attachment 209879 View attachment 209881 View attachment 209882
 
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I cannot comment on the bezel as I lack experience in this area.

What I have observed is that examples with the 6-notch-caseback tend to have gold plated bridges/movements whereas the example that I found with your style of caseback, had rhodium plated bridges like yours. I think it is likely that your example is a sort of transitional model with an earlier(?) style caseback and later style bezel and dial.
 
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I cannot comment on the bezel as I lack experience in this area.

What I have observed is that examples with the 6-notch-caseback tend to have gold plated bridges/movements whereas the example that I found with your style of caseback, had rhodium plated bridges like yours. I think it is likely that your example is a sort of transitional model with an earlier(?) style caseback and later style bezel and dial.


Looks like I just need to find myself a signed crown then =). Any experts out there has any thoughts on this? Any idea of the model number of this watch? I have spoken to some guys...apparently some of these Matheys have flyback function.... So far i have only seen 2 bezels...1 countdown and 1 countup....

 
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While on the subject of Mathey Tissot... I have not been able to find any information on this older models... it looks and feels very similar to the Tissot I also have that I have dated to mid 1940's. Any hints on where I might find out more?
 
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Firstly, the dial appears to have been redone. Secondly the movement looks to be a Cyma caliber 417K: http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Mathey-Tissot_10.5 The "MXT" import code on the balance cock indicates that the watch was originally sent to the USA. I would concur that it is likely from the 1940s. Here is some information on the brand: http://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=63738108

On another note, nice Aquasport. Here's mine.

 
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Firstly, the dial appears to have been redone. Secondly the movement looks to be a Cyma caliber 417K: http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Mathey-Tissot_10.5 The "MXT" import code on the balance cock indicates that the watch was originally sent to the USA. I would concur that it is likely from the 1940s. Here is some information on the brand: http://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=63738108

On another note, nice Aquasport. Here's mine.


Many thanks for the insight. Pity about the redial, but I picked it up with the Tissot and a Minerva for very little, so not too annoyed.