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 1950s, 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
The 1960s saw Zenith produce some of the greatest watch movements available from any manufacturer. Zenith watch movements were incredibly advanced and the watch we have here is an excellent example, having a superb Swiss made 9ct yellow gold case and the highly regarded Calibre 2522 automatic movement. This watch is completely original, unrestored and untouched and remains in simply outstanding condition. The wonderful use of mixed hour indices on the subtle gold dial is so simple, yet simply stunning.
The Dial
The classic and beautifully styled subtle gold dial is completely original and unrestored. This wonderful dial carries mixed ‘baton’ hour indices along with standard Arabic numerals at ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’, matched with original 1960s ‘index’ hands. This is an impressive dial and the dial and indices complement the 9ct yellow gold case perfectly.
The dial carries the Zenith signature star and is signed ‘Zenith’ and ‘Automatic’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom.
This dial is completely original, unrestored and untouched and shows some wonderful signs of ageing in the spotting and pitting you see across the dial. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition. While the dial is in excellent condition for the year and many collectors prefer original and untouched dials, if a customer prefers we could restore the dial of this watch back to its original condition, at no extra cost.
Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.
The Movement
This watch carries its original 28 Jewel, Calibre 2522P Automatic movement which is in sparkling condition. This movement has been fully overhauled and serviced, involving full dismantling of the watch and movement, ultrasonic cleaning of all parts and close inspection of all critical surfaces under high magnification, then replacement as required with genuine new original parts, careful reassembly and oiling, using all the correct lubricants to the manufacturer’s specification, before final testing and calibration. This watch is now running perfectly having been calibrated and timed at +9 seconds per day. This timing has been confirmed on our electronic timegrapher and is truly outstanding for any watch of this age.
The watch movement is simply signed ‘Zenith’ and ‘Swiss Made’ and carries the Calibre 2522P along with the movement serial number 5280469 which dates this watch to 1962. This particular movement is in first class condition and with regular servicing, say around every 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run happily for many generations to come. We are therefore very confident offering 12 months’ warranty on this watch movement*.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
The Watch Case
The 9ct yellow gold Zenith Swiss-made watch case measures a large 34mm, excluding the correct Zenith unsigned crown. The watch case has been professionally cleaned before being carefully inspected and very gently hand-polished, which was all that was required to bring it back to its current tip-top condition with no scratches, dings or other marks visible to the naked eye.
The inside of the case back is clearly signed with the case serial number 37222 and 9ct hallmarks.
Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
This watch is complete with a high quality black leather strap and plain gold-plated buckle. 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 and black straps in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1962.
Our detailed Watch Particulars document will be included with a receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided, along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee, which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.
This watch comes complete with a high quality Zenith presentation box.
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 very impressive 9ct yellow gold vintage Zenith dress watch, which is ready to wear and very practical for everyday use. 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 its vintage watch movements and just like Longines, Zenith watches have also been noticeably increasing in value of late.
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them 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 means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly 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.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
