Rare Late 1940s Karl Plepla FLYTIMER 17J Manual Chronograph Valjoux 72 - Strong Runner

Karl Plepla (Austrian) emigrated to the US in 1923. He worked for Tiffany as a watch and chronometer maker. He then had a stint at Gruen before starting his own watch company in 1934, Superior Watch Company. The Valjoux 72 movement used in his Flytimer watches is one of the more celebrated manual chronograph movements, a holy grail movement for many collectors. Variants of the 72 movement were used by Rolex, Patek Philippe and others.

Metal: Stainless Steel
Case Width: 37 mm (not including crown)
Watch Movement: Valjoux 72
Band: New Waterproof Leather band

Condition: Case back shows some scratching by people that didn't know how to properly remove it. Works are in excellent condition and it is keeping good time with over a days worth of running on a full wind (at least 36 hours). Last recorded sale I could find on this watch was a Leonard auction (9/19/21) for $2337.00