Zenith Sub-Sea Chronograph Ref. A277 "Reversed Panda Dial", late 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 Sub-Sea Chronograph Ref. A277 "Reversed Panda Dial", late 1960s

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

Maker / attribution: Zenith (maker)
Date: late 1960s
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 40 mm
Dealer: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Stock no.: W-3007
Credit line: Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3007)
Catalogue title (original): Zenith Sub-Sea Chronograph Ref. A277 "Reversed Panda Dial" (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-3007), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated late 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 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 has a rich history in chronograph production, with its most famous milestone being the launch of the El Primero in 1969—one of the first automatic chronograph movements. However, the brand’s legacy extends beyond that, with exceptional chronographs predating the El Primero, including the Zenith A277 we have on offer today. This example has aged beautifully, featuring a strong 40mm steel case with pump-style chronograph pushers. The rotating bezel has developed a unique light grey fade, while the lume has aged to a warm yellow patina. The dial follows the sought-after reverse panda layout, complemented by gold-colored sub-dial hands and a distinctive “paddle” style chronograph seconds hand. Powering this timepiece is the Zenith Caliber 146HP, a refined hand-wound chronograph movement. The watch is presented on a Bulang & Sons leather strap and has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. We’d love to chat about this remarkable vintage Zenith—reach out to make it yours! Specifications: - Zenith A277 Sub-Sea Chronograph - 40mm stainless steel case with pump-style pushers - Rotating bezel, faded to light grey - Serial 566xxxx, dating to the late 1960s - Reverse panda dial - Zenith Caliber 146HP hand-wound movement - Bulang & Sons leather 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
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
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 Sub-Sea Chronograph Ref. A277 "Reversed Panda Dial", late 1960s." Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen, W-3007. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/zenith-sub-sea-chronograph-ref-a277-reversed-panda-dial-94644f.