Priority Bidding is here! Secure a lower Buyer’s Premium today (excludes Online Auctions and Watches). Learn More

1007

Zenith

Cairelli CP-2

A very rare and attractive oversized chronograph wristwatch with black matte dial, rotating bezel and luminous Arabic numerals, retailed by A. Cairelli, Roma

Read Conditions of Sale
Zenith produced approximately 2500 of the “Tipo CP-2 (Cronometro da Polsa Type 2) in the 1960s and early 70s under the direction of the Italian Air force, the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI). The contract was canceled early and the remaining watches were sold through A. Cairelli in Rome to civilians. The two register watch (caliber 146DP) with oversized 43mm case is highly sought after for its rugged looked and strong appeal. The dial is big and bold with luminous Arabic numerals and the A. Cairelli signature at the 6 o’clock.

The present example is one of the finest to come to auction and in excellent original condition. The dial is nicely aged with the lume plots and hands matching in color. The Zenith is a fine mid-market watch that is sure to grow in stature over the years, and when presented in such fine condition, it makes it a true collector’s watch.

Zenith

Swiss | 1865

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.

Browse Maker