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Eberhard Contodat chronograph, c. 1957. Eberhard caliber 310-82
Landeron produced economical calibers, so there was no question here of Eberhard's beautiful column-wheel caliber, but of simple solutions: a cam system to replace the column-wheel, and wire springs more economical than machined parts. In fact, Landeron released 2 calibers in the same year:
Calibre Landeron 189
- caliber 189 with 13.75 lines (31.00mm) derives from the undated caliber 149, which in turn derives from the 148 of 1949. The height of the caliber was 6.82mm, including 0.60mm for the date alone. The balance could be screw or, more simply, annular. On the dial side, counters were available for 30 or 45 minutes.
Calibre Landeron 187
- Caliber 187 is virtually identical. It derives from the undated caliber 248, also a successor to 148. The difference comes from an even greater simplification of the chronograph mechanism. As soon as it became available, many établisseurs (watch manufacturers who did not produce their own movements) used it. The most classic configurations are represented by the date aperture at noon and 6 o'clock. The date aperture at 9 o'clock is rarer but much sought-after, as it equipped a superb version of the Heuer Carrera: the Carrera 45 Dato, 2nd version, ref. 3147.
Longma chronograph with date window at 12 o'clock, c. 1965. Longma was a trademark of Dodane (Besançon - France). Calibre Landeron 189
Sandoz chronograph with Index Mobile and date at 6 o'clock, c. 1980. Calibre 187 modified
Heuer Carrera 45 dato chronograph, c. 1965. Landeron Calibre 189
In fact, a rare and little-known configuration is represented by the date at 3 o'clock, a customary position for many non-chronograph watches but one that clashes here with the presence of the minute counter. The few manufacturers who have dared to do so have produced extremely well-balanced dials.
Desotos chronograph with date at 3 o'clock, c. 1970. Desotos was a Georges Gay brand from Les Bioux in the Vallée de Joux. Calibre Landeron 187
Even rarer are the intermediate configurations, such as this anonymous chronograph with a circular aperture between 10 and 11 o'clock.
Anonymous chronograph with date between 10 and 11 o'clock, c. 1960. Calibre Landeron 187
The career of the Landeron 189 and 187 was not very long. They disappeared with the release of the rustic Valjoux 7732 and 7734 in 1969.
Click here to find out more about Landeron calibers
Many thanks to Sébastien Chaulmontet at Albishorn for his advice.