Venus Watch Co: Swiss Excellence in Chronograph Movements and Watches

Venus Watch Co is a historically significant Swiss watch and movement manufacturer, primarily renowned for its exceptional chronograph calibers and watchmaking heritage. Founded in 1923 in Moutier, Bern Canton, Switzerland, the brand has contributed greatly to the precision and artistry of mechanical watches.
Key Highlights

Founding and Early History

Venus was officially established in 1923 in Moutier, Bern Canton, but the “Venus” name was used earlier on watches made in La Chaux-de-Fonds as early as 1902 by Paul Arthur Schwarz and Olga Etienne-Schwarz. The connection between these two timelines and companies remains somewhat unclear.

Quickly absorbed by Ebauches SA in 1928, helping consolidate watch movement manufacturing in Switzerland.

Chronograph Innovations

Venus made a name for producing high-quality chronograph movements, releasing its first chronograph caliber, Cal. 103, in 1933.

Its column-wheel chronograph calibers — including Calibers 170, 175, 178, and the three-pusher rattrapante Cal. 179 — are widely regarded as some of the finest ever produced, still highly sought after today.

Venus also produced cam-switched chronograph movements (Venus 180/190/200 series), which were cost-effective but less profitable.

Technological Legacy and Acquisitions

Venus was absorbed by rival Valjoux in 1966. The Venus 188 movement served as the basis for the Valjoux 7730, whose technology lives on in the very popular Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement.

Old stock of Venus calibers has become scarce, increasing the collector value of watches with these movements.

Jaquet SA (now La Joux-Perret) became an expert in restoring and even reproducing Venus calibers.

Venus-Branded Watches and Cultural Presence

Besides movements, Venus also produced complete watches, generally using third-party components, often featuring a logo referencing the Venus de Milo statue.

In the 1960s, Venus had a broad global distribution with a wide range of popular men’s and women’s watches.

Venus watches were worn by celebrities, including Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, and notable personalities, with prestigious clients such as the Vatican commissioning white gold Venus self-winding watches.

Modern Revival

The Venus brand was re-launched in 2011 in Geneva, now producing watches with quartz movements from Ronda, combining heritage with modern technology.

Summary

Venus Watch Co represents an important chapter in Swiss horology, renowned especially for its exquisite, reliable chronograph movements that helped shape mechanical watchmaking. Its legacy continues both in vintage collectible timepieces and through the impact of its calibers on later legendary movements like the Valjoux 7750.

This article is based on authoritative watch history sources and current information from specialist industry publications