Manufacturer: Zenith Year: Circa 1967 Reference No: AH271 Case No: 886A391 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 146 D, jeweled Bracelet/Strap: Zenith alligator strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Zenith pin buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Zenith blank Guarantee card. Furthermore delivered with Zenith Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with "slate grey dial" in this exact configuration between August 1967 and January 1968
Catalogue Essay
Upon first glance of this superb timepiece, even the most novice collector will recognise its outstanding condition. While “New Old Stock” might be an overused term in the industry, the present watch truly deserves such a designation; it arrives at Phillips after a 50 year journey though time in absolutely unspoiled, unworn condition, still retaining the blue factory lacquer to the case back.
Produced between 1967 and 1968, the present piece is representative of chronograph reference AH271 (the H in the reference designates man’s model and stands for “homme”). The model was made in two versions: one with silver dial, and the present one which features an incredibly attractive blue/ardoise dial (described by Zenith catalogue as “gris foncé”: slate grey).
Unsurprisingly, the market at the time was much more receptive of the more classic silvered version, and as a consequence, the blue/grey version was produced in much smaller number.
Its rarity combined with its attractiveness and condition make the present piece an unmissable opportunity for the collector of fine vintage timepieces.
Since Zenith's beginnings, founder George Favre-Jacot sought to manufacture precision timepieces, realizing quality control was best maintained when production was housed under one roof. Zenith remains one of the few Swiss manufacturers to produce their own in-house movements to this day.
Today, the brand is best known for the "El Primero," the firm's most successful automatic chronograph movement. In an interesting twist of fate, the company that owned Zenith during the 1970s decided to move on to quartz movements and therefore sought to destroy the parts and tools necessary to make mechanical movements. One watchmaker realized this folly and hid the tools and parts before they were destroyed. In 1984, he returned them to Zenith so they could once again make the El Primero movement.