Photo Credit: kontiki6611
1970s Lanco Panda Chronograph Wristwatch
Buy It Now Price: $659 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This is an attractive vintage men’s Lanco panda chronograph two-register wristwatch from the 1970s. This type of watch is called a “panda” because the small black registers juxtapositioned against the white dial of the watch face resemble the iconic animal.
-The beautifully chromed stainless steel case measures approximately 39.5 mm (1.56 inches) wide (excluding the crown) by 42 mm (1.65 inches) long. This is very large for a vintage wristwatch, but fairly average in size when compared to modern watches.
-This Lanco chronograph wristwatch is in great condition, showing very little wear. As an added bonus, the dial looks both pristine and original to me.
-A chronograph is any watch that possesses the capacity to be used as a stopwatch in addition to its normal timekeeping functions. Vintage chronograph wristwatches are extremely desirable because of their aesthetic beauty and masterfully engineered mechanical movements.
-Our vintage Lanco panda chronograph has a small 60 second register at the 9:00 position and a matching 45 minute register at 3:00.
-This Lanco panda chronograph wristwatch uses a manual wind, 17 jewel, Valjoux calibre 7733 movement. The affordable Valjoux 7733 family of movements (which included the 7733, 7734, 7736 and 7737) was produced from 1969 until 1978. They were used in wristwatches from many different manufacturers, including Breitling, Heuer and Tudor.
-1970s mechanical wristwatches, and 1970s chronographs in particular, represent an exceptional opportunity in the tangible investment space. These masterpieces of horological art are almost 50 years old now, and are just beginning to gain acceptance in the watch collecting community. Prices have risen strongly over the past decade and will almost certainly continue to rise in the future.
-At an asking price of $659, I feel that this 1970s Lanco panda chronograph is a good buy. It is only 1/4 to 1/2 the cost of a comparable chronograph wristwatch from a better-recognized manufacturer, but still has the iconic look, history and zeitgeist of its more expensive peers.
Cons:
-The Valjoux calibre 7733 was a mid-quality movement intended for use in price-conscious chronograph wristwatches. The very best watch brands of the era – Rolex, Omega, Audemars Piguet and IWC, among others – generally used much more expensive, in-house movements. These higher quality movements are far more desirable to experienced watch collectors.
-Although it was a well known and respected brand in its time, Lanco is generally considered a second-tier brand by today’s standards. All else being equal, a panda chronograph wristwatch manufactured by Rolex, Heuer, Seiko or other better-known brands would be more desirable from an investment standpoint.
-Expect to pay $100 to $300 to have this Lanco mechanical wristwatch professionally serviced after you purchase it. This boosts the total cost of the watch considerably.
