Hi,

apart from being larger (773X) what are the differences looking on precision and durability?

Thanks for your input, take care

 

This is almost like comparing apples to oranges.

The triple register 72 was derived from the 23, which itself was derived from the 22, an overall larger movement. Any of these were very capable column wheel movements, and reside in many collectible chronographs (e.g the V72 resides in the UG Nina Rindt and Heuer Carrera/Camaro/Autavia, among others.) The Val 23/72 also have a design quirk where the bottom pusher is at a slightly lower angle than a normal chronograph, leading to a distinctive gap between said pusher and crown.

The Val 92 was a cheaper to manufacture chronograph that was similar to the Val 77 (up/down registers akin to the Venus 170.) While still a nice movement, there is no mention as to other movements which became derived from it...unlike the V23/72s which also spawned some non-chronograph models such as the Val 90.

The 7734 was the Venus 188 after Valjoux acquired Venus, and spawned a couple of movement iterations, including the 7736 which was a triple register fitted in some Heuers, as well as some rather iconic models such as the Bulova 'Stars and Stripes.' As a cam-switch movement, it is, to many, not as aesthetically pleasing to look at and suggests a workhorse more than a bred stallion.

That is not to say that the 7734/36 is a bad movement, just that the age of chronographs that blended craftsmanship with detailing fell by the wayside to make way for mass produced models to appeal to a wider market.

In terms of durability, while I haven't owned a Val 92, I do have a Val 23 and a 7736. The 23 is a smooth press for the chrono functions while the 7736 you can really feel the pressure to get the chrono starting. They both have their charm, and my 23 is running at about 7s/day and the 7736 is about 10s/day after service. Decent figures, especially considering the 23 is a 40s piece.

 

Very clear and interesting, thanks

 

Thanks for the very usable write up!

 

All of these are mass-produced movements, but you will find a lot of Valjoux 72 movements that are reasonably well-finished, and as @GuiltyBoomerang mentioned, they were used in many high-end chronographs. This is less true for the Valjoux 92, and the 773x movements are generally quite utilitarian in their appearance. This is not to disparage them as reliable and accurate workhorse movements, but it is one reason they are less desired by collectors. They were inexpensive movements used in a very wide range of chronographs, including many no-name brands that came and went. So it is perhaps a case of familiarity breeding contempt.