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By Joel Pynson and Sebastien Chaulmontet
As for chronographs, it wasn't until the early 1940s that the date appeared on mass-produced watches, notably from Patek, Philippe, Angélus and Universal. But these were date hands, not date windows.
The first date window appeared on a chronograph in 1948 with the Chrono-Datoluxe model from Angélus. Ebauches SA must therefore have been in great demand from companies that didn't manufacture their own movements, for modern calibers with a clearly visible date. And so, around 1953, the ébauches manufacturer Vénus offered a series of calibers with a large date, including a chronograph caliber. For simple watches, these were calibers 216 (small seconds) and 221 (central seconds). For chronographs, it's caliber 211 that we'll be examining in detail.
The Venus 211 calibre is based on the 12.5-line (28 mm) calibre 210, also launched in 1953. The 210 is an economical caliber without column-wheel, distinguished from the other Venus and Landeron calibers by its small size. Its construction is very similar to that of the 1949 Venus 188. The 211 features an additional calendar mechanism, which increases the thickness of the movement from 6 to 7.3 mm. There are two side-by-side discs, bearing the numerals for date indication. A push-piece, located at 8 o'clock, enables the date to be set on first use, and systematically at the end of the month. Indeed, at the end of the month, the date does not change from 31 to 1, but to 32, until 39. The monthly cycle can then be restarted by successively pressing the pusher.
The calibre 211 was not very successful, and few brands used it. This was due in part to its lack of date transmission, but mainly to the decline of chronographs in the 1950s, as a result of competition from fine automatic watches, water-resistant watches and alarm clocks. It disappeared from Ebauches SA catalogs in the 1960s.
The expert's opinion
Chronographs with the 211 caliber are rare. As low-cost calibers, they were most often mounted in fragile plated cases. There are, however, some rare gold models. The other weak point of these chronographs is the date discs: they are rarely in good condition, and when inspecting one of these watches it is imperative to ensure that the impressions have not faded over time. It is unrealistic to expect to find replacement discs. You should also be aware that in the early 2000s, a stock of movements was reassembled in modern cases. These are not vintage watches. But if the chronograph is old and in good condition, what a pleasure it is for the collector to be able to wear one of history's first great dates!
