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Zenith Super Sub Sea (Ref. A3736), 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zenith Super Sub Sea (Ref. A3736), 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Zenith (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
ZTHSSS3736-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ZTHSSS3736-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Zenith Super Sub Sea (Ref. A3736) (English)

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ZTHSSS3736-2), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. 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 did a good job of breaking up the monotony in the dive watch world in the 60s and 70s. During this era, Movado and Zenith worked closely together to introduce innovative designs and advancement to the watch world, but due to their forward-thinking designs, they often received poor sales which inevitably resulted in low production numbers. Which of course, is why Zenith dive watches are so coveted by collectors, like the Zenith ref. A3736, this reference has a truly unique design but is rarely seen on the open market, especially in good condition. The ref. A3736 would make for a vibrant and durable daily driver. This specific Zenith features the impressive 17-jewel Zenith 146-HP movement, which is also used in the Movado Super Sub Sea ref. 206-705-504 as well as a variety of other chronographs from this era. This was the last manual wind movement caliber by Zenith-Movado before being superseded by the automatic El Primero movement. Stock # ZTHSSS3736-2 Brand Zenith Style Diver Chronograph Model A3736 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black " Reverse-Panda" Millimeters 41 Bracelet Zenith "Gay-Freres" Flip Lock Ladder-Link Bracelet W/ Straight End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The large and robust cushion-style case is in well-preserved, lightly polished condition, showing honest signs of gentle use. The pushers and Zenith signed crowns, including the 10 o'clock crown, all remain original to the watch. The case back retains the Zenith medallion and shows some honest wear and tool marks. The correct and very uncommon Zenith "Gay-Freres" ladder-link bracelet with flip-lock clasp remains in excellent condition, retaining 12 links that show light stretch and will fit up to an 8-inch wrist. The straight-bar end pieces on the bracelet are aftermarket but match the overall look of the watch. DIAL & HANDS The grey sunburst dial features a magnificent tonal "ghost" patina throughout and remains in exceptional vintage condition. The dial exhibits no notable damage and only nominal age. The metallic grey inner rotating bezel remains in near-perfect condition and retains its tritium arrow and numerals which match the dial and show no degradation. The tritium lume-filled dial markers have achieved a deep beige patina and feature no degradation under UV light inspection. The original and bright hands have been professionally restored with light beige tritium to coordinate with the dial. ACCESSORIES

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

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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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