
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Zenith Automatic with Bumper Movement, Tropical Patina Dial and Steel Case, circa 1953
- Maker / attribution
- Zenith (maker)
- Date
- c. 1953
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- steel
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- VWS3088
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS3088)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Zenith Automatic with Bumper Movement - Tropical Patina Dial and Steel Case - c.1953 (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 VWS3088), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1953. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 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 — Vintage Watch Specialist
A Charismatic and Well-Preserved Vintage Zenith Dress Watch With An Automatic Bumper Movement, c.1953 Zenith Watches, a name synonymous with innovation and precision, has carved its niche in the horological world since its inception in 1865. Founded by Georges Favre-Jacot in Le Locle, Switzerland, Zenith quickly distinguished itself through the quality and accuracy of its timepieces. The brand's commitment to excellence was evident when it introduced the El Primero in 1969, the world's first integrated automatic chronograph movement that boasted an unprecedented frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. What's on offer This Zenith watch is in beautiful vintage condition with a stunning tropical dial, for those who appreciate patina, this is a joy. The dial is furnished with applied gilt Arabic numerals and alternate arrowhead hour markers with luminous inserts. The Dauphine hands, also have luminous inserts. A central seconds needle hand in blood red completes the dial which is protected by shatterproof Plexiglas and encased in Stainless steel. The watch is powered by the Zenith Bumper Movement calibre 133.8, a type of automatic movement that uses a rotating weight, or rotor, to wind the mainspring. The rotor is attached to a pivot, which allows it to swing back and forth within a limited arc and a bump is sometimes heard when it hits a spring at each side of the arc. The case and lugs are well preserved and in unpolished, original condition. At 35mm this is a mid-size watch and very much suitable for both men and women. The watch is running well and keeping good time, it is light and comfortable on the wrist and wears beautifully. This watch has bags of character and will give the wearer many years of happy timekeeping!
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
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.
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 · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
