Venus Caliber 230 – A Rare and Refined Chronograph Movement

The Venus 230 is a lesser-known but highly refined chronograph movement produced by Fabrique d’Ebauches Venus SA, the Swiss manufacturer celebrated for crafting some of the most technically respected chronograph calibers of the 20th century. The 230 belongs to a family of high-end movements designed for premium wristwatches and represents a step forward in terms of compactness and mechanical finesse compared to earlier Venus designs.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Manual-winding chronograph

• Diameter: Approx. 28.2 mm

• Height: Around 5.5 mm

• Jewels: 17

• Frequency: 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz)

• Chronograph Mechanism: Column wheel with horizontal clutch

• Functions:

  • Hours

  • Minutes

  • Small seconds (usually at 9 o’clock)

  • 30-minute chronograph counter (typically at 3 o’clock)

  • Central chronograph seconds

Movement Characteristics

The Venus 230 is a column-wheel controlled chronograph, ensuring precise engagement and a smooth feel when operating the pushers. It was designed to offer a balance between reliability and elegance, making it suitable for dressier chronograph watches.

Unlike bulkier chronograph movements of its time, the 230 features a slimmer and more compact profile, allowing watchmakers more flexibility in case design. It also typically showcases fine finishing, such as perlage on the plates and bridges and a blued column wheel in some executions, depending on the brand using the movement.

Use in Watchmaking

Due to its refined architecture, the Venus 230 was not mass-produced to the same extent as movements like the Venus 175 or 188. It was primarily selected by watch brands targeting a more exclusive clientele or seeking a slimmer chronograph profile for elegant cases.

Brands that have used the Venus 230 include:

• Tissot

• Minerva (in certain models)

• Camy

• Smaller boutique brands during the 1950s and early 1960s

These watches were often styled with minimalistic dials, slim bezels, and quality metal cases—favoring sophistication over sportiness.

Collectibility and Appeal

The Venus 230 is considered rare in today’s vintage watch market. Watches powered by this movement tend to be lesser-known but highly respected among connoisseurs of mechanical chronographs. They offer an excellent blend of compactness, technical complexity, and aesthetic beauty.

Servicing the Venus 230 today requires watchmakers familiar with column-wheel chronographs. Original parts are increasingly scarce, making well-preserved or fully restored examples even more desirable.

Conclusion

The Venus Caliber 230 is a hidden gem in the history of Swiss mechanical watchmaking. While it may not have achieved the widespread recognition of the Venus 175 or 178, its elegant dimensions, column-wheel construction, and rarity make it a distinguished choice for collectors seeking something both technically excellent and historically significant. A chronograph powered by the 230 offers not just function, but refinement and quiet prestige.