Zenith
Zenith is one of the oldest watch manufacturers, est.1865 and one of only a handful which has always produced its own movements. The company has an almost unparalleled record of technical achievements and notably, in 1929, Zenith won world renown at Kew Observatory (England), when a Zenith wristwatch won first prize for an accuracy of better than 0.6 seconds per day. During the late 1940s and throughout the ’50s, Zenith held the lead in producing the most commercially successful and technically advanced, chronograph wristwatches. Later, Zenith became the first in 1969, to develop a high-frequency automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph powered by the legendary El Primero movement, beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. This obsession with precision, as well as this constant quest for technical innovation, has been duly rewarded; the Manufacture has been awarded 2,333 chronometry prizes as well as eight medals, making it the most titled brand in the field of precision. The company has also provided a huge number of movements to many other manufacturers for their more technically advanced watches, including even Rolex for their Daytona Chronograph!
Description
A classic Zenith gentleman’s dress watch in 18ct gold with a very high-quality bumper automatic movement. The dial is in good original condition and so has been left completely untouched to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. The watch case is also in excellent original condition and has simply been gently hand-polished to remove any tarnish to bring it to the condition you see here. The superb Zenith Cal.133.8 movement is in sparkling clean condition and has been fully overhauled and serviced.
The Dial
The classic silver dial has simple applied gilt ‘arrowhead’ hour indices with Arabic (standard) numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12.
The dial here is completely original, unrestored and untouched. As mentioned above, we have left this completely alone to retain its originality and charm as it is in excellent condition for a watch of this age. Usually, we restore the dial as part of the overall restoration process of each watch we sell. This is because watch dials over 50 years old tend to become very unsightly due to damage from sunlight, moisture, and pollution. This takes the form of fading, staining, spotting and pitting. Watch dials also become very easily marked when a watch is dismantled for servicing and this is often evidenced in the form of scratches. Here however, the original dial is excellent, with only some very slight fading and a little spotting. On the wrist, this is much less noticeable than in the images you see here.
The images you see are many times larger than the actual watch and have been taken with a high-resolution professional camera with a high power macro lens under artificial light. This is very unkind to any flaws on a watch when in reality and on the wrist, the watch looks much better than in the photographs. If however, you would like the dial restoring to bring it back to completely original restored condition, we will be happy to do this at our cost price.
The original ‘Index’ hands and lens are in excellent condition.
The dial carries an applied Zenith Star brand and is signed ‘Zenith’, and ‘Automatic’, with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial.
The Movement
The original Zenith Calibre 133.8, 20 Jewel bumper automatic movement is as clean as they come. It is also nicely finished with the Geneva wave used on higher quality movements.
A bumper self-winding movement is wound by means of an oscillating rotor that travels through a 180-degree arc, being arrested by buffer springs that then bounce the rotor back in its original direction. The bounce can just be felt if one rotates the watch slowly from side to side, but in normal use, one is seldom conscious of its ‘pulse’. Indeed it is quite an endearing character of the vintage watch. These watch movements are robust, accurate and reliable making this watch perfectly suitable for both evening wear and everyday use.
This is the original movement, which as can be seen is in sparkling condition having just been fully overhauled and serviced by our Master Watchmaker. This involves complete disassembly of the entire watch movement, close inspection of all critical parts under high magnification and then replacement where necessary, using only original manufacturer parts. Then, lubrication using individually specified lubricants for differing parts of the movement and careful re-assembly before calibration and final testing.
The watch winds and sets smoothly and is currently keeping accurate time, consistently to within 8 seconds per day! This is outstanding for any vintage watch of this age and has been tested on our electronic timegrapher. We therefore we have no hesitation in offering this watch with our 12 months warranty*.
The watch movement is signed ‘Zenith’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘20 Jewels’ and also carries the Calibre number 133.8 and the movement serial number 4990459 which dates this watch to 1960.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
The Watch Case
The Zenith swiss made case is of a high quality two-piece construction, in 18ct solid gold. It is stylish, sturdy and highly elegant and measures 33mm square, including the Zenith signed crown. This may seem small until one considers the measurement across the diagonal which is 44mm! The press-fit case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved. It is tight-fitting and presses back with a very reassuring ‘click’.
The case has been cleaned and carefully inspected and then lightly hand-polished by our case-maker and shows every sign it has been well cared for and lightly used. There are no scratches, dings or other marks visible to the naked eye.
The case is signed ‘Zenith’, ‘Swiss Made’ and includes Swiss 18ct Hallmarks. Externally, the case carries the serial number 581850.
As ever, our standard advice applies; Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The strap fitted is a new high-quality black Lizard strap with gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating the watch to circa 1960.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
The watch also comes complete with the high quality presentation box as shown in the photographs.
Payment and Delivery
If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
This is a rare vintage Zenith gentleman’s dress watch, which is ready to wear, very practical for everyday use and if treated with care, this watch will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece. Zenith has always benefitted from a first class reputation for the superb quality of their watch movements and just as in the case of Longines, which have been undervalued in the past, this is beginning to show in the way Zenith watches are increasing in value.
A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring these to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well-known stores in West London which are very successful, charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you wish to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and unfortunately out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges, however attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those that happen to visit the UK on occasion we are of course more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and your watch directly to you there.
Please note we welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will be happy to Service, Repair or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions, please call our landline 020 7727 7095. If calling from overseas +44 207 727 7095.
We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting, we will also be very happy to hear from you. We await your call!
Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine vintage gold watches!
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
