Zenith Automatic Date Cal.2572 18ct 1975

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 1940’s 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 1970s saw Zenith introduce some of the finest watch movements available from any manufacturer when technically, the company was very advanced. The watch we have here is an excellent example, having a semi hi-beat movement and an 18ct yellow gold watch case. This watch also features what we now see as a slightly ‘retro-futuristic’ look with the date position in the ‘different’ position of 4:30 hours.

The Dial

The silver dial, with gold and black inlaid ‘square’ hour indices and matching original ‘index’ hands is in the classic late ‘60s, slightly high-tech style. On point, the date position at 4:30 hours suggests the watch has an advanced, or avant-garde style, which was very ‘on trend’ at the time. Zenith adopted the 4:30 hrs date position during the ’60s and this has since become a Zenith trademark. It is actually a very sensible position for the date window, since as one rotates the wrist to view the date, the 4:30 through to 6 is the first part of the dial to reveal itself. This style of dial is also slightly reminiscent of the classic Mondaine SSB dial design which was adopted as the standard dial for use by Swiss Federal Railways.

The dial is simply signed ‘Zenith’ and ‘Automatic’ just below 12 with ‘Swiss Made’ at the bottom below 6.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusual 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.

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

The Zenith Calibre 2572 movement specification is also quite special, beating at 28,800 beats per hour, rather than the semi-hi-beat at 21,600, or the more usual 18,000 or 19,800. When one listens to this movement ticking, one can really hear this is a hi-beat movement racing. Generally speaking the higher the beats per hour, the higher the accuracy of the movement, all other factors remaining the same. This movement is also known as the ‘8 beat’ because it beats at 8 beats per second. The example we see here, with a date function, is one of the first of this model produced and this movement was used in Zenith’s top of the range automatics, between 1972 and 1975.

The movement has just been thoroughly overhauled and serviced by our vintage specialist watchmaker. This means fully dismantling the watch and movement, ultrasonic cleaning of all parts, inspection to the critical surfaces under high magnification and replacement as required with genuine new original parts, then careful reassembly and oiling, using all the correct lubricants to manufacturer’s specification before final testing and calibration. This watch is therefore now running perfectly having been calibrated and timed at +8 seconds per day! This is outstanding for any watch of this age and has been confirmed using our electronic Timegrapher.  Although this is a Hi-Beat movement, the power reserve is still very high at 44 hours when fully wound. The watch movement is signed ‘Zenith’ and ‘Swiss Made’ and carries the Calibre number 2572PC.

The Watch Case

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a high quality dark brown alligator strap and a Zenith gold-plated buckle which we feel suits the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or different style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to provide your choice, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin and can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.