The Cairelli Zenith chronograph is one of the most sublime and aesthetically pleasing tool watches of the mid-20th century. The oversized case at 43mm diameter is today a modern wearable everyday timepiece, but at the time it would have been thought too big for daily wear, however it was a military tool watch and therefore the dial needed to be large and clear. Cairelli had been supplying watches to the Italian military since the 1950s, using Universal timepieces with Martel Watch Company movements, the company was sold and Zenith bought them in 1959. To keep consistency Cairelli began to use Zenith for their watches. Initially, the watches were intended for both the Italian Air Force and marked “AMI” or the Navy and marked “MM”. Ultimately the contract was cancelled and watches not sold to the military were then retailed to civilian customers, these watches do not bear any military marking. It is believed that 2500 examples of the CP-2 (Cronometro da polso) were manufactured and some 500 were ultimately sold to the public.

The present example is in lovely original condition with a sharp case and clean original dial. The A. Cairelli Zenith is an appealing watch that has an interesting history and a high grade movement that makes it an ideal collectible timepiece.