Elix 3025 Valjoux 7734 Chronograph

This Elix is my 12th large vintage watch. Elix is an old brand dating back to 1852, made by Mougin Piquard - read about the history in this post.

My Elix 3025 racing chronograph from the 1970s

Measurements:

Width w/o crown: 44,2 mm

Width with crown: 46,1 mm

Length: 43,2 mm

Depth: 12,9 mm

Lugs: 22,0 mm

The dial reads: Elix - 17 Rubis - Incabloc - Ebauche Suisse

On the back: All stainless steel - 3025 - Waterproof tested 5atm

We know from an Elix ad from 1975 that each model had a number, e.g. 1401, 1756 and 2269. On the back of my watch it says 3025 - it seems fair to assume that it is the model number.

The watch has a solid steel case, all shiny with no signs of brushing or similar. The case has hidden lugs and is rounded with no sharp edges which gives it a pleasant, smooth appearance on the wrist. It is a big watch at 44 mm but somehow it manages to feel more like a dress watch than a classical tool watch. I have yet to find another watch with a similar case.

The dial has a classical 1970s racing design with splashes of red on the subdials. The colors has faded over the years but the orange chrono hand still pops. It has raised hour markers and still some lume on the hands.

Elix 3025 Valjoux Chronograph - low profile

Elix 3025 Valjoux Chronograph - hidden lugs

Elix 3025 Valjoux Chronograph - large 44 mm steel case

The watch has a Valjoux 7734 movement, It is manual-wound with two subdials and date. See Ranfft here. The movement was produced in a period from 1969 to 1978 so it can't be used to date the Elix watch more precise.

Many brands like Breitling, Bulova, Heuer, Roamer, Tissot and Tudor used the Valjoux 7734. And of course the Sicura MG.

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Sicura Chronograph MG "Pilot"

In the Sicura brochure from 1975 this "Pilot" chronograph can be found:

Sicura "Pilot" fra eBay. Not the MG-version.

Also in 1975 British Leyland celebrated the 50th anniversary of MG with a special edition MGB GT. It was painted in british racing green with gold stripes. In total 750 Jubilee models were made. (Source).

To celebrate the anniversary MG approached Sicura and also had a special limited edition of the Sicura Pilot made. It has the MG logo on the dial. And on the backcase it says: MG, 50th Anniversary, CommemorativeWatch, 1925-1975 - together with a unique serial number on every watch. Read about the story of the Sicura brand here. And find a collection of MG serial numbers here.

My Sicura MG has the serial number 0262.

I bought mine for a very low 262 euros from a french seller on eBay. The watch has a very solid cushion case with a radial brushed finish on the upper surface. The dial has some fine details and a fine gold tone - maybe to match the gold stripes on the special edition MG. 

Sicura MG Valjoux - click on pictures to see them larger

Measurements:
Width w/o crown: 43,0 mm
Width with crown: 45,8 mm
Length: 45,1 mm
Depth: 13,4 mm
Lugs: 21,9 mm

The movement is a nice manual-wound Valjoux 7734. This is a higher quality and more expensive movement than what Sicura normally used. These Sicura MG watches seems to be selling for higher and higher prices on eBay. This is absolutely one of my favorite watches that gets a lot of wrist time. It has a very nice heft and still feels classy. Highly recommended.

Some photos borrowed from the Internet:

Sicura MG with the original bracelet. Source

Pictures showing the original box and papers:

"We certify that this watch has been manufactured entirely in our Factory by skilled watchmakers ..." Hmmm ... maybe a little bit exaggerated. The movement was bought from Valjoux.  

Letter to MG Car Club members that showed interest in the watch. The price was GBP 40.95 which is equivalent to GBP 330 in 2020. The letter is from Time Importers Ltd in London, the british importer of Sicura watches. Source 

Fun fact. It seems that MG in 1975 also made a commemorative watch with Le Jour, a brand commonly known as the brand under which French watchmaker Yema distributed watches to the US. So maybe this model was made only for the American market. It must be very rare and I have only seen this one specimen.

A Le Jour Chronograph with MG logo on the dial and engraving on the back: "Golden Anniversary commemorative watch 1925-1975" and the number 0005. Source 

CLICK HERE - AND READ THE STORY OF THE SICURA WATCH BRAND