12ZenithRef. SP 1301 A very attractive and fine stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “tropical” registers and tachymeter scale, accompanied by original presentation box and literatureCirca 1970 37mm Diameter Case, dial and movement signed Estimate $4,000 - 6,000 CHF3,600-5,400 €3,400-5,100 HK$31,000-46,500 Place Advance BidContact Specialist Paul Boutros Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor Senior Vice President +1 212 940 1293 pboutros@phillips.com
Condition ReportRequest Condition ReportThank youfor your request. The Condition Report will be sent shortly.Contact Us* RequiredSend me the Report ViaEmailFaxContact SpecialistCancelDescriptionOur Buyer's Premium has been updated. View our Conditions of Sale.Manufacturer: Zenith Year: Circa 1970 Reference No: SP 1301 Case No: 232E619 Model Name: El Primero Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3019, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Zenith presentation box and “El Primero” instructions brochure Catalogue EssayVintage stainless steel chronographs have grown in popularity over the last decade as watch enthusiasts have come to appreciate both the form and function of these classic mid-20th century wristwatches. They are rugged, dependable, and move easily from casual settings to formal. Early chronographs were manual-wind timepieces, however in the late 1960s both Zenith and Heuer introduced automatic chronograph movements. In 1969, Zenith released their first such movement with the “El Primero”, which is still celebrated for its innovation with an extraordinary high frequency of 36,000 beats per hour, ensuring outstanding timekeeping performance. The movement became so well-known for its quality, that Rolex used it as the base for their first automatic chronograph, the Daytona reference 16520 released in 1988. The reference SP 1301 is an early production El Primero featuring a case with a sculptural tonneau form with strong angles and lug bevels. This example is fresh to the market coming directly from the family of the original owner, who started the prosperous Melody TV in the Bay Area, which sold only Zenith televisions. The owner was awarded this fine timepiece for selling the most Zenith televisions in the Bay Area, and he wore it daily for many years before it was then relegated to a safety deposit box. The watch has remained unpolished over the last 50 years, and the registers and tachymeter have turned a lovely warm and light brownish hue. The color tone is evenly aged, and the dial remains well-preserved with intact luminous hour markers. The rarity of this impressive timepiece is further enhanced by the addition of the original Zenith presentation box, along with the Zenith “El Primero” instruction booklet. Today’s collectors seek rare and unusual watches, and this Zenith “El Primero” is an excellent example of a remarkable period in horology with both a technically advanced movement, and classic case design. The collectability of the watch is enhanced by its absolutely original condition, and lovely aged dial. It is a tribute to both the owner who cared for it, and the brand which created an icon. Consigned by the Family of the Original OwnerRead MoreMaker BiographyZenithSwiss • 1865 Follow 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.View More Works
12ZenithRef. SP 1301 A very attractive and fine stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “tropical” registers and tachymeter scale, accompanied by original presentation box and literatureCirca 1970 37mm Diameter Case, dial and movement signed Estimate $4,000 - 6,000 CHF3,600-5,400 €3,400-5,100 HK$31,000-46,500 Place Advance BidContact Specialist Paul Boutros Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor Senior Vice President +1 212 940 1293 pboutros@phillips.com
Condition ReportRequest Condition ReportThank youfor your request. The Condition Report will be sent shortly.Contact Us* RequiredSend me the Report ViaEmailFaxContact SpecialistCancelDescriptionOur Buyer's Premium has been updated. View our Conditions of Sale.Manufacturer: Zenith Year: Circa 1970 Reference No: SP 1301 Case No: 232E619 Model Name: El Primero Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3019, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Zenith presentation box and “El Primero” instructions brochure Catalogue EssayVintage stainless steel chronographs have grown in popularity over the last decade as watch enthusiasts have come to appreciate both the form and function of these classic mid-20th century wristwatches. They are rugged, dependable, and move easily from casual settings to formal. Early chronographs were manual-wind timepieces, however in the late 1960s both Zenith and Heuer introduced automatic chronograph movements. In 1969, Zenith released their first such movement with the “El Primero”, which is still celebrated for its innovation with an extraordinary high frequency of 36,000 beats per hour, ensuring outstanding timekeeping performance. The movement became so well-known for its quality, that Rolex used it as the base for their first automatic chronograph, the Daytona reference 16520 released in 1988. The reference SP 1301 is an early production El Primero featuring a case with a sculptural tonneau form with strong angles and lug bevels. This example is fresh to the market coming directly from the family of the original owner, who started the prosperous Melody TV in the Bay Area, which sold only Zenith televisions. The owner was awarded this fine timepiece for selling the most Zenith televisions in the Bay Area, and he wore it daily for many years before it was then relegated to a safety deposit box. The watch has remained unpolished over the last 50 years, and the registers and tachymeter have turned a lovely warm and light brownish hue. The color tone is evenly aged, and the dial remains well-preserved with intact luminous hour markers. The rarity of this impressive timepiece is further enhanced by the addition of the original Zenith presentation box, along with the Zenith “El Primero” instruction booklet. Today’s collectors seek rare and unusual watches, and this Zenith “El Primero” is an excellent example of a remarkable period in horology with both a technically advanced movement, and classic case design. The collectability of the watch is enhanced by its absolutely original condition, and lovely aged dial. It is a tribute to both the owner who cared for it, and the brand which created an icon. Consigned by the Family of the Original OwnerRead MoreMaker BiographyZenithSwiss • 1865 Follow 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.View More Works
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
