Official British Royal Air Force PIERCE WATCH CO Up Down chronograph

Japan

￥350,000

+Shipping fee (domestic shipping)：￥0

+Shipping fee (overseas shipping)：￥0

+Separately (tax and fees)：￥0

View details

Basic Information

Brand

IWC

Model

VINTAGE MODEL

Reference Number

Case Material

Chrome & Steel

Year Of Manufacture

1940

Case Condition (Including Case Back)

Pre-owned (Noticeable scratches on case)

Accuracy

Mechanical (±60 seconds/day)

Gender

Male

Location

Japan

Movement

Winding Up

ManualQ

Caliber

134

Power reserve

Number of jewel bearings

Case

Case Material

Chrome & Steel

Size (excluding crown)

Belt

Belt Material

Stainless Steel

Explanation

See translation

In the world of chronographs, there exists a legendary movement that created an entirely different concept: vertically arranged sub-dials and, above all, Pierce’s remarkable vertical-clutch system.

Calibre 134.

At four o’clock sits the chronograph pusher, framed by Pierce’s distinctive long lugs and finely engraved dotted case edge. Press it, and the extraordinary world of its vertical clutch comes alive.

In a conventional chronograph, a long operating lever transmits the force of the pusher to the column wheel. With Pierce’s vertical architecture, however, a much shorter lever transfers that force more directly. The column wheel activates the clutching wheel, which engages the chronograph runner and immediately sets the central seconds hand in motion.

Yet something remarkable is missing: there is no conventional driving wheel connected to the fourth wheel.

At a time when movements such as the Valjoux GHT and later Calibre 22 represented the established horizontal-clutch tradition, Pierce chose an entirely different path.

Traditional chronographs relied on numerous levers, wheels and more than ten springs to control the sequence from engagement to reset. Pierce swept away much of this complexity. Beneath the heart-shaped cam that returns the central chronograph hand to zero sit the essential components of its unique clutch system.

Although this construction increased the thickness of the movement, it made the mechanism remarkably direct and mechanically logical. Even the adjustment normally required to regulate the engagement between chronograph wheels was eliminated—an important advantage for the watchmaker.

This was the world Pierce created: its own extraordinary interpretation of the vertical-clutch chronograph.

At a time when the Swiss industry was increasingly moving toward standardized ébauches, Pierce deliberately pursued its own technical philosophy. The approach was not always welcomed, yet its capabilities were remarkable. Calibre 134 could measure time to one-quarter of a second, and examples were supplied for British military aviation use.

For years, few collectors had ever seen such a watch, and some even questioned whether an officially issued example truly existed.

But here it is.

The case back provides extraordinary evidence. Deeply engraved military markings include “TP”, while the Broad Arrow represents British government property. Beside them appears another remarkable inscription:

“1/4 SEC.”

It declares precisely what this movement was capable of—measuring intervals of one-quarter of a second.

And finally, the story is completed by its magnificent glossy black dial.

Tachymeter and telemeter scales surround the dial, together with a precise minute track, creating an instrument whose appearance immediately communicates its technical purpose.

The vertical-clutch architecture, quarter-second capability, military markings and complex multi-scale black dial all come together in one extraordinary watch.

This is more than a rare Pierce chronograph.

It is surviving evidence of a remarkable chapter in chronograph history—a watch whose existence was once questioned, yet whose story is now revealed by the object itself.

This single piece finally brings the true story of Pierce Calibre 134 to life.