The appeal of a military timepiece resides only partly in the rarity of the watch. What is most fascinating are the outstanding tales such objects have been witnesses to, the fact that when one wears a military issued watch, a piece of history is residing on one’s wrist.

The present wristwatch unquestionably embodies such ethos. The Zenith Cairelli was a pilot’s wristwatch supplied to the Italian Aeronautica Militare (and later available to the general public) through Rome-based retailer Cairelli during the 1970s. This example is offered by its original owner, General Gabriele Ingrosso (at the time of issue, Luogotenente - Lieutenant) to whom it was assigned in 1973 from the Ghedi (Brescia) airbase of the 6th fighter-bomber squad. The collector will be delighted to know that the watch was issued in this exact condition, including the bracelet which was chosen for the ease with which it allowed the donning/un-donning of the piece.

Born in the small village of Tradate, Italy in 1948, Ingrosso began his flying career at the age of 17 in early 1966 when he studied, thanks to a loan from his father, for the 1st degree piloting license. His achievements earned him a 250’000 lire scholarship to obtain the 2nd degree license, after which he entered the Military Academy in 1968. After his graduation in 1972, he began the military piloting school flying, Aermacchi MB-326 planes and subsequently Fiat G.91 machines. In 1973, he was one of ten cadets selected to fly the Lockheed F-104 “Starfighter”, and it is at this point that he received his Zenith Cairelli. In 1982, he was the first Italian pilot to attend the course to fly the at-the-time revolutionary multi-role combat aircraft Panavia “Tornado” in Great Britain, a course which he passed with the highest marks of the entire NATO unit thanks to the higher familiarity with high speed/low altitude flying experience which he had acquired in Italy. On August 27, 1982 he landed at the Ghedi Airstrip with the first “Tornado” (M.M. 7006) delivered to the Italian Air Force, and his Cairelli on the wrist. He continued to fly until 1985 at which point, rather than taking a “desk job” in the military, he retired as Colonel and was conferred the honorific title of General.

In 2007, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his inaugural Tornado flight, he was gifted the book offered together with the watch which details the history of the “Diavoli Rossi” (Red Devils) 154th flying group to which he belonged. His name, and pictures of him appear multiple times in the publication.

According to General Ingrosso, the present watch was at his wrist for most if not all of his missions, totalling about 2,700 hours of flight time, more than 1,500 of these on F-104 “Starfighters”.

Fully embodying all the appeal and thrill a military piece summons in the heart of collectors, and offered in absolutely original condition, this Cairelli presents without a doubt one of the most transparent and intriguing military provenances to ever grace an auction room in recent times.