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Zenith Automatic Date, ref. 01.1310.380, circa 1975 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zenith Automatic Date, ref. 01.1310.380, circa 1975

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Zenith (maker)
Date
c. 1975
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
vws3895
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3895)
Catalogue title (original)
Zenith Automatic Date - Model Ref: 01.1310.380 - c.1975 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3895), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1975. 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 — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Very Stylish Zenith with a Beautiful Grey Dial and Stylish Applied Furniture and Calendar Feature, Model Ref: 01.1310.380, c.1975 Founded in 1865 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Zenith is renowned for its precision watchmaking and innovative spirit. The brand is best known for developing the El Primero movement in 1969, one of the first high-frequency automatic chronographs, capable of measuring time to 1/10th of a second. Over its long history, Zenith has built a reputation for technical excellence, timeless design, and a commitment to traditional Swiss craftsmanship. What's on Offer This beautifully unique vintage Zenith, circa 1975, is a wonderful example of the brand’s understated yet distinctive 70s design language. The striking textured grey dial boasts applied polished metal furniture comprising baton hour markers with luminous pips, paired with slim stick hands featuring luminous inserts for easy legibility. A discreet date aperture rests neatly between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the classic Zenith signature takes pride of place at 12 o’clock. The dial sits beneath a shatterproof Plexiglas crystal and is housed in a brushed stainless-steel case that has aged gracefully over more than 50 years, showing only minor signs of careful wear. We’ve paired this timepiece with a bold grey leather strap, creating a strong colour-blocking effect that really makes this Zenith stand out on the wrist. Powered by the reliable Zenith Calibre 2572 PC automatic movement, this is a superb opportunity to own a piece of horological history with enduring style and functionality.

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

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

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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