On Tuesday, January 23, 1968, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for JACQUES MONNAT by the Palmer Sales Corporation of New York.

This was the beginning of the watch brand Jacques Monnat. There is also talk that the brand had an association with the more famous Wakmann brand of chronographs.

Sadly, both Jacques Monnat and Palmer are no longer with us, and it’s now difficult to find information about either the brand or its owners, even in this Google age.

But this example is alive and well, and comes in virtually ‘New Old Stock’ condition.

Several points that we love about this late 1960s chronograph.

Firstly the movement. The world renowned manual-winding Valjoux caliber 7736 movement, manual wind 3 registers chronograph gives this timepiece reliability and durability. This is the movement used to power the iconic, classic vintage watch, the Breitling Navitimer 806 and the Heuer Monaco. Breitling’s most famous watch and probably Heuer’s too. So our Jacques Monnat certainly keeps good company.

This watch is in exceptional condition. The stainless steel case has minimal marks, the lugs are factory fresh, the dial retains its brilliant blue colour as does the electric pink chronograph second hand. The blue, pink, white and red accents on this watch are eye catching.

The large Aquastar-style stainless steel case houses a Valjoux Cal. 7736 and measures in at 39mm or 42.50mm including the oversize crown. The stainless steel case with screw down caseback, round chronograph pushers, wide 2 colour bi-directional bakelite bezel, acrylic crystal, and original dial with applied silver indexes and silver match stick style hands.

It comes on a new blue leather Rally strap.

So in a few words: A great fun watch!