Venus Caliber 175–178 Series – The Backbone of Mid-Century Swiss Chronographs

The Venus 175 series, including the Calibers 175, 176, 178, and closely related variants, stands as a cornerstone in the world of vintage mechanical chronographs. Produced by Fabrique d’Ebauches Venus SA, these movements were renowned for their quality, reliability, and refined engineering. They powered a wide variety of chronographs during the 1940s through the early 1960s and were widely respected for incorporating column wheel control—a hallmark of high-grade chronographs.

General Specifications of the Venus 175 Series

• Movement type: Manual-winding

• Chronograph mechanism: Column wheel, horizontal clutch

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

• Jewels: Typically 17 (some variants 19)

• Power reserve: Approximately 40–45 hours

• Finish: Rhodium-plated, Côtes de Genève or perlage finishing depending on brand use

• Diameter: Around 31 mm

• Height: Roughly 6 mm to 6.2 mm depending on the variant

Venus Caliber 175 – The Classic Bi-Compax Chronograph

The Venus 175 is the base model of the series. It features a bi-compax layout, with subdials typically placed at 3 and 9 o’clock:

• 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock

• Running seconds at 9 o’clock

• Central chronograph seconds hand

This caliber was widely used in civilian and military chronographs. Its simple and elegant layout made it a popular choice for mid-sized chronograph cases, often between 34 and 36 mm.

Venus Caliber 176 – With Hour Totalizer

The Venus 176 expanded the functionality of the 175 by adding a 12-hour chronograph counter at 6 o’clock, resulting in a tri-compax layout:

• 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock

• 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock

• Running seconds at 9 o’clock

• Central chronograph seconds

This movement was favored in watches designed for professional timing, such as motorsport or aviation chronographs, where elapsed time beyond 30 minutes was necessary.

Venus Caliber 178 – The Full Calendar Chronograph

The Venus 178 is the most complex and prestigious in the series. It combined the chronograph with a complete calendar:

• Day and month apertures (usually below 12 o’clock)

• Date indicated via a central hand pointing to the date scale around the dial

• Subdials for 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, and small seconds

• Central chronograph seconds

Because of its sophisticated layout and added functionality, Cal. 178 was used in iconic timepieces such as the Breitling Datora, Wakmann Triple Date Chronographs, and other full-calendar chronographs. It remains highly collectible today.

Watch Brands That Used Venus 175–178 Movements

Numerous Swiss brands utilized these movements, including:

• Breitling

• Minerva

• Wakmann

• Gallet

• Leonidas

• Titus

• Universal Genève (early models)

• Clebar, Croton, Paul Portinoux

These movements offered brands the opportunity to produce high-quality chronographs without developing in-house calibers, allowing for greater focus on case and dial design.

Legacy and Influence

One of the most interesting footnotes in the history of Venus is the sale of the Venus 175 tooling to the Tianjin Watch Factory in China during the 1960s. This tooling was used to create the now-famous Seagull ST19, a modern Chinese manual chronograph movement based directly on the Venus 175 architecture. Thus, the Venus legacy lives on today in a new form.

For collectors, watches with original Venus 175–178 calibers are highly desirable, especially in good working condition. Their column wheel design, balanced layout, and historical value make them prized pieces in the vintage chronograph market.

Conclusion

The Venus 175 series, including the 175, 176, and 178 calibers, represents one of the most respected lines of vintage chronograph movements. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a new enthusiast, these movements deliver exceptional mechanical charm, timeless functionality, and a direct connection to mid-century Swiss craftsmanship.