Arnex Chronograph

Arnex.  Unless you grew up in far western Switzerland, you're likely unfamiliar with the name.  

One of the exciting parts of vintage collecting is finding hidden gems.  Even though the watch world has gotten much smaller and easier to navigate, there are still unexplored corners that yield pleasant surprises.  All too often, attention is given to the brand name of a watch with little consideration going to the overall build quality, the movement and the design language.  In a nutshell, this is why Big Red Daytonas are trading at hundreds of thousands of dollars and rarer watches with the same movement and comparable build quality (think Universal Genève Compaxes) trade for tens.  

Arnex suffers from the same plight, and if this were any other watch site and you were any other Joe Schmo, this watch might wither in obscurity.  But this is analog/shift.  

Arnex is not a known brand in the States, but our European friends might have heard the name.  Like so many other brands from the 1960s and 70s, Arnex was a regional retailer that used contract cases, dials and hands in combination with Swiss movements to create branded timepieces.  And in this instance, they hit the nail on the head.

The steel case on this watch might look familiar.  Built en-masse for numerous brands (including the coveted yachtingraf from Yema), these straight-lugged stainless cases bear a striking resemblance to mid-sixties Ed White Speedmasters with the exception of the rotating M/H (minutes/hours) bezel.  Aesthetically, the watch sings; the glossy black dial with large luminous markers is flawless and the broad arrow luminous hands (another nod to Omega design) ooze 1960s cool.  Of course, the kicker is the red 'lollipop' sweep hand that helps to make the red flash on the minute sub-register jump while giving the watch that vintage chrono styling.  

Inside ticks a Valjoux drivetrain signed by J. P. Pingouin, the revered Swiss assembly house that helped many small brands and retailers compile their creations.  

Inside and out, there is nothing about this watch we don't like and nothing we are left wanting, making this one of those rare opportunities to dive under the radar and snag an incredible piece worthy of any collection. 

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.