Early 1950s Clebar Triple Calendar Moon Phase Chronograph
Movement: Venus 200 (17 Jewels)
Movement Type: Manual
Complications: Chronograph, Triple Calendar with Pointer Date, Moon Phase
Case Type: Rhodium-Plated Case & Bezel with Stainless Steel Snap Back
Case Size: 35mm
Possibly the most complex watch I have ever restored, this Clebar combines a full chronograph with a triple calendar & moon phase. Fortunately, these movements are built in clear layers, so the complexity of the chronograph and the complexity of the calendar mechanism become totally separate problems. It’s interesting to note that the small pushers at the 8 & 10 o’clock positions both do double-duty - the lower pusher advances the moon phase with a light press, and the date with a firmer press, while the upper controls the date and month in a similar fashion. The lever design to accomplish this dual-action behavior is definitely interesting. This watch was originally chrome plated, but the plating was in poor condition, so I stripped it and re-plated the watch in rhodium, which looks great. I probably should have done the pushers and crown while I was at it but I was being a bit lazy - I’ll get back to those eventually…
*Please note that visible serial numbers on the case and movement have been partially or fully hidden with AI masking.