Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Zenith A277 Chronograph on Gay-Frères Bracelet, 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Zenith (maker)
- Date
- 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 40.5 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2269
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2269)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Zenith A277 Chronograph on Gay-Frères Bracelet (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2269), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40.5 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
Zenith chronographs have always had a special place in the heart of collectors. The A277 began production in the early 60s and ran until the 1970s and we have a mk2 example on offer today. The case is in great condition and has pump pushers and oversized winding crown. The black dial has great patina on the hour plots and the bezel has faded to a deep grey. This A277is fitted with its very rare original double-signed Ladder bracelet that was manufactured by Gay Freres with a clasp stamped ‘4 71’. The Zenith Cal 146HP manual wind movement has been fully checked and regulated by our watchmaker. Sports chronos are such interesting and cool watches to collect. Please get in touch to discuss this rare and intriguing example. Specifications: - Zenith A277 - Steel 40.5mm steel case - Serial 56xD3xx dating to 1970s - Black dial - Faded bezel - Original Gay Freres Ladder bracelet - Zenith Cal 146HP manual wind movement - Fully checked by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
Related records
Pocket Watches · 1900
Pocket watch by Zenith, Switzerland, 1900
Museum Rotterdam
Pocket Watches · c. 1900s
Zenith pocket watch, c. 1900s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1980s
Zenith El Primero Triple Calendar Chronograph, ref. 95.0100.418, c. 1980s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · originally sold in 2022 (per the lot record)
Zenith Chronomaster Original, ref. 03.3202.3600/33.M3200, originally sold in 2022
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1970
Wristwatch by Heno, Switzerland, 1970
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · 1960–1986
'Tri-Compax' calendar chronograph wristwatch in gold case, by Universal, Geneva, Switzerland, 1960–1986.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1969–1970
Beta 21 Quartz wristwatch movement, made in Switzerland, 1970.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · c. 1969
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, ref. 145022-69st, c. 1969
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva