Manufacturer: Zenith Year: Circa 1970 Reference No: A277 Case No: 567D370 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 146HP, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Zenith and Gay Frères bracelet, max length 205mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Zenith and Gay Frères deployant clasp stamped "3 70" Dimensions: 40.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial movement and clasp signed by maker, clasp further signed by bracelet maker Accessories: Accompanied by Zenith original box, guarantee dated March 2, 1970 and sale tag
Catalogue Essay
Reference A277 was in production throughout the 1960s, with one notable evolution during its production. First series watches feature blued hands for the subsidiary counters, no luminous material on the chronographic second hand, a five-point star Zenith emblem on the crown, and the cal. 146H. Subsequently, the watch in its final form would feature bronzed hands for the subsidiary counters, luminous chronographic second hand, a four-point star on the crown, and the cal. 146HP.
The present example is a remarkable specimen of the second series, fully original and offered in superlative condition. The dial is simply flawless, and the case is in excellent condition. Most notably, the serial number 567D370, which is finely engraved to the outside of the caseback is still perfectly readable. This numbering system of three numbers followed by a letter followed again by three numbers was employed by Zenith beginning in the early 1960s with xxxAxxx until the 1970s, and numbers xxxExxx. The present watch was thus made in the late 1960s or early 1970s, perfectly matching the bracelet stamp “3 70”.
Offering an intriguing combination of condition, looks and professional vocation, this watch will delight the collector of vintage professional 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.