Hallo. Ik verwacht deze week mijn eerste zenith vintage grail.
volgens de verkoper is dit een mogelijkse 1/1 zenith compax 12517.
Wat is terug vind er over is het verhaal over de betekenis van compax en dat inderdaad deze binnen werken kwam van martel (wat me al gedeeld was bij de aanbieding).
Ik hoor graag of er hier nog echte kenners zijn die mij kunnen helpen met meer informatie te vinden over dit horloge.
mijn extra informatie is:
37MM - henri jeanneret case (wat mij nog ongekend is)
156hp calibre, probably unique salmon Compax 3 counter
horloge is wel herkend door zenith maar niet op papier wegens te oud blijkbaar en ze hebben geen archives.
ik wacht nog op de documentatie over het horloge. als ik alles heb bezorg ik nog meer details.
horloge is wel bevestigd door zenith dat het over een origineel exemplaar gaat.
Zenith Compax Ref. 12517 ‘Salmon dial’
Dossier by @mr.a
History
The Zenith Watch company was founded in 1856 by Georges Favre-Jacot
in the town of Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It is
one of the oldest continuously operating Swiss watchmaking
companies and has been manufacturing in the same factory since
1856. Zenith’s strongest asset has always been to focus on the
supply-chain of the watchmaking process, in particular that of
movement production.
Reference
The Zenith in question bears the Reference 12517, a reference
system shared with Universal Genève at the time and with a clear
scientific approach. The 1st digit - ‘1’ stands for case material - 18k
yellow gold in this case. The 2nd digit - ‘2’ - indicates the level of
complication - ie. chronograph. The 3rd digit ‘5’ refers to the
movement size, the largest in this case with the 156 or UG equivalent
of a 287. The last two digits ‘17’ instead refers to the case design.
Below is an archive picture of the reference.
The most identifiable feature of this reference are the large,
faceted lugs with mirror-finished tops and bezel.
Serials
Just like the reference number, also the serial on the watch is
shared with Universal Geneve. The case Serial in this case is: 781’230
According to this serial, we can date the watch to 1939.
Case
The large, 37mm Case is made of 18k yellow gold, stamped with the 18k
750 mark, Swiss Helvetia head and Zenith Logo. The case was
manufactured in Peseux, Switzerland by the Henri Jeanneret
company - identifiable via the 166 hammerhead hallmark at the
bottom of the caseback.
Movement
The calibre that powers this special Zenith is the 156 - a 17 jewel,
15’’’ line manual wind calibre, 18’000A/h balance wheel oscillation,
with column wheel chronograph complication. This was the largest
movement produced by zenith at the time. produced by the Martel
Watch Co., which Zenith shared ownership of with universal Geneve,
hence why case and serial numbers were shared between the 2
companies. In 1958 Zenith would acquire the Martel Watch Co.
A better look at the gorgeous 156 calibre featuring a cotes de geneve
finished mainplate, coppered Chronograph wheels and a beautiful
overall architecture.
It features a 3 counter dial layout - seconds, 30 minute counter at 3
o’clock and a 12 hour register at 6 o’clock.
Dial
The dial of this watch is striking - featuring unique traits that
confer a special allure to the overall aesthetic of the watch.
The dial, most probably made by Stern Frères in Geneva, is of a
remarkable and possibly unique salmon colour, with an enamelled
white minute track.
Salmon dials are amongst the most prized amongst collectors and
often the rarest colour in the world of vintage chronograph as the
market in the 1930s and 1940s was not very acceptant of this
tonality. As such, today they are highly prized for the unique
aesthetic they offer and overall rarity.
After many years exploring the world of vintage chronographs, in
particular that of Universal Genève, it is the first time I have come
across a Salmon dial Zenith Compax.
A full view of the dial in all of its glory.
The dial condition is impressive. Still retaining every graphic in
intact condition, it has developed a charming patina possibly due to
the non-waterproof nature of the Case. The two-tone color scheme is
perfectly contrasting and the salmon part has aged to a beautiful
copper tone.
Overall the watch is a one-of-a-kind piece featuring some of the most
desirable traits on a vintage chronograph. From an oversize case to a
fantastic salmon dial, It truly embodies why the 1930s and 1940s are
the epitome of swiss watchmaking. A truly a collectible watch and a
delight on the wrist.
Indrukwekkend…
Kan me voorstellen dat als je deze zou willen verkopen deze tekst ook goed van pas komt. Maar waarom zou je hem kwijt willen…?
Heb je gebruik gemaakt van de Extracts & Certificates service van Zenith?
hoi. het document vind ik leuk om te hebben en om me te verdiepen in het horloge.
momenteel ga ik er nog effe plezier aan hebben en natuurlijk is alles te koop.
extracts van zenith moet ik nog aanspreken. volgende verkoper geprobeerd maar te oud en ze zouden toen nog niet alles bij gehouden hebben. wordt vervolgt
