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Zenith AF/P Day-Date (Ref. 1201), 1970 — view 1 of 6
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Zenith AF/P Day-Date (Ref. 1201), 1970

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Zenith (maker)
Date
1970
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
ZNTAFP1201
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ZNTAFP1201)
Catalogue title (original)
1970 Zenith AF/P Day-Date (Ref. 1201) (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ZNTAFP1201), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated 1970. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Craft & Tailored

Zenith is one of the few makers that just might be better known for their movements than they are for their actual watches. That's due in large part to them being the brains behind the movement inside the iconic Rolex Daytona from 1988 to 2000. Of course, that movement is also the one inside the incredible Zenith El Primero, which is no slouch either. And while this isn't an El Primero, it's still a Zenith, which means it's surely got something special up its proverbial sleeve. In this case, that specialness is belied by the "AF/P" on the lower part of the dial. That stands for " Alta Frequenza Precisione," or in English, high frequency and precision. So, this one is indeed plenty special, too. But watches are about so much more than their movement, right? Well, as a complement to that unique beating heart, there's also a very '70s case shape and dial design. And when you put it all together, it makes for one truly remarkable and fantastically unique piece. Stock # ZNTAFP1201 Brand Zenith Style AF/P Day-Date Model 1201 Serial 9DXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Silver Millimeters 36 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The stainless steel case appears to have been lightly polished in the past, but still retains crisp edges and finishing with thick, symmetrical lugs. The unsigned crown appears to be an early service replacement. The case back is in great overall condition, with light signs of wear and highly legible, deep factory serial engraving. The watch comes supplied on a two-piece leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The silver dial is dynamic and full, showing only nominal elements of age. It features a striking grey inner circle, large tapered steel hour markers, and matching steel hands with the tritium lume still intact. At 3 o'clock, there's a large Spanish day-date window with large, legible letters and numerals in great condition. The tritium lume of the dial and hands have both aged to a creamy beige patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.

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

Calendar, moon-phase and perpetual calendar watches

Calendar complications range from a simple date to the perpetual calendar, which automatically allows for months of different lengths and leap years until 2100. Pocket watches with perpetual calendars were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Patek Philippe made the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and series production followed in 1941. The annual calendar (Patek Philippe, 1996) needs correction only once a year.

Moon-phase displays use a disc with two moons and 59 teeth advanced daily, approximating the 29.5-day lunation; more precise trains reduce the error to one day in over a century.

What to look for

  • Apertures or subsidiary dials for day, date, month and leap year.
  • Moon disc under a 'bosom' shaped aperture.
  • Recessed correctors on the case band for setting the calendar.

Dating clues

  • Triple-date wristwatches: popular c. 1940–1955.
  • Perpetual calendar wristwatches: from 1925 (unique) and 1941 (series).

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.

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