Zenith Chronograph 18k Pink Gold with Military provenance, early 1960s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Bulang & Sons · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Bulang & Sons · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zenith Chronograph 18k Pink Gold with Military provenance, early 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Zenith (maker)
Date: early 1960s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: gold
Dimensions: Case 36 mm
Dealer: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Stock no.: W-2759
Credit line: Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2759)
Catalogue title (original): Zenith Chronograph 18k Pink Gold with Military provenance (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2759), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated early 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 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

This is a rare and cool Zenith Chronograph in 18k pink gold and two-register dial layout. This Zenith has an interesting history, evidenced by the case back engraving "Le personnel de la BA181 en souvenir 61-63". This inscription reveals that the watch was a commemorative gift to an Air Force officer stationed at La Réunion's Air Base 181 during the early 1960s. Cool or what? The 18kt pink gold case, with screw case back and pump pushers, remains in outstanding condition. Its minimalist black dial, free of scales and lume, focuses on a clean minute track and lovely Arabic hours. The watch houses the reliable Zenith calibre 136D, which has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and is presented on the strap shown in the photos. Visit the Bulang and Sons watch lounge or jump on a call to talk more about this Zenith Chronograph that offers a blend of military heritage and beautiful watchmaking. Specifications: - Zenith Chronograph - 36mm 18k pink gold case - Serial 892xxx dates to early 1960s - Black dial with two registers and minute track - No lume dial and hands - Engraved with "Le personnel de la BA181 en souvenir 61-63" - Zenith calibre 136D - Movement number 510xxxx - Comes on the pictured strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker

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 timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

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.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Bulang & Sons — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Zenith Chronograph 18k Pink Gold with Military provenance, early 1960s." Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen, W-2759. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/zenith-chronograph-18k-pink-gold-with-military-provenance-c63ce5.