Swiss Cuervo y Sobrinos Pulsation Chronograph Wristwatch by Paul Vallette

This exceptional vintage chronograph wristwatch was made exclusively for the esteemed luxury retailer Cuervo y Sobrinos, Cuba’s premier jeweler. It was expertly handcrafted by the Swiss house of Paul Vallette. The Vallette Watch Co. was branded under the legendary house of Heuer when they expanded their production and reach of watches internationally. Dating to the 1930s, this timepiece coincides with that effort.

The watch is presented in a case of 18K yellow gold with a single-button operation. Keeping the time within is a 17-jewel manual 911 movement and Valjoux movement caliber. The time displays on the original dial appointed with Roman numerals, seconds subdial, minute subdial, red minute hand, and wonderful blued steel kite hands. Additionally, this watch features an innovative pulsometer track visible on the dial perimeter. Popular with doctors of the era, this pulsation feature aids in calculating a heart rate without multiplication. Usually calibrated to either 15 or 30 heartbeats or “pulsations,” 30, in the example shown here, the pulsation feature is triggered by the use of the chronograph. The user starts the chronograph and then counts the patient’s heartbeats to the predetermined number. Once that number is reached, the position of the seconds hand at the outer pulsometer scale indicates the pre-calculated heart rate. A beautiful testament to both watchmaking and medical history.

Certainly, this was a very prestigious and innovative timepiece. Cuervo y Sobrinos has paid homage to this earlier chronograph model in their Historiado line.

This unique timepiece is in excellent condition, bears a complete restoration, and carries an 18-month warranty.

39mm x 32mm

Circa 1930