The information here is taken from the less felicitously-translated chapter of Roessler'd book by H. Neumuellers, entitled "Observatory Chronometers". All errors are the fault of the translator!

Zenith's cal. 26x range was produced from 1920 to 1968 and was developed from an 8-day car clock with bezel winding and setting. This series was the mainstay of Zenith's reputation for observatory accuracy for 40 years.

Illustrated is the cal. 260 version, sold as a marine chronometer, gimbal-mounted in a wooden box. Like its predecessor, it is wound and set via the bezel. The gimbals, of course, kept it horizontal whatever the ship might be doing. I have not photographed the movement (#32392), but will have it photographed when I have it serviced. Presently, it is keeping good time.

Also illustrated is the timing certificate from 1964 and the original instructions in Spanish for the Zenith 'Cronometro Marino'. I found it in Madrid.

Also produced were the cal. 261 (observatory version for competition - also gimbal-mounted in a wooden box) and cal. 262 (shop-window clock for watchmakers, wound and set from the back).

 

Now THAT would make an awesome desk clock. Fantastic that it came with the certificate.

 

What an incredible find...very nice condition. And +1 that it came with certification!

 

i want to have one of those.......

 

'zackly how I use it - especially handy when my desk starts listing to port, usually around 3 pm!

Yes, unusual to find full documentation - plus the key to the box! It came with one further certificate, a "Timing Certificate" that is a sort of summary of the "Watch Rate Certificate" shown above:



Unlike many marine chronometers, it does not have a protective glass cover under the wooden lid, but however buyers may have used it, it was marketed as, in this case, un Cronometro Marino, doubtless in anticipation of a new Armada. (Nobody expects a Spanish invasion!).

The use of the bezel for winding and setting (manipulacion y puesta en marcha) had led to inevitable wear-through of the gilt on the bezel, but it adds a lovely mechanical feel to the process.

 

John, just curious, how much you get this beauty?...and what would be the typical market price?

 

I am unaware of any "typical market price", as I have not seen another one offered for sale. Not many were produced. So it comes down to finding a price that both seller and buyer can live with. Naturally, now that I've bought this one, it is probable that another will show up for less!

This one was offered on Chrono24 by a "trusted seller" in Madrid for 8000 euros. After extended negotiations, I bought it for 4500 euros including shipping to Vancouver. I have no idea how that corresponds to "market value". In the end, the seller, who was indeed trustworthy, wanted 4500 euros more than he wanted the chronometer, while I wanted the chronometer more than I wanted 4500 euros. And so a deal was reached. A bargain for some, too much for others. Market shmarket. It's all about tolerance!

Chris

 

From what I've seen, a good manufacture's marine chronometre usually goes for about £5,000 so I think Chris got a good deal. Of course, if it was a Patek, then that would have been a different matter.

 

Patek made marine chronometres? That would be like Porsche making an SUV! Oh, wait….

 

That word is verboten.

 

As Chris notes, finding one is the hard part. The fact he found an observatory version with papers is remarkable.

Zenith also made a non-observatory version of a deck clock for the US Navy in Cal. 271 that is a little more common. Those run from $850-$1800 based on condition and show up from time to time on eBay. Here's a post on the lesser cousin to Chris' Cal. 260
http://omegaforums.net/threads/not-all-zeniths-are-watches.4533/

 

According to the USRDA, you need 3 or 4 servings of verboten every day.

 

Thanks for that, Mike! Roessler thought that the cal. 271s were (mostly) delivered to Cairelli in Rome (see p. 33), but clearly a number were delivered to the US Navy as you point out - hence the American spelling (chronometer instead of chronometre), normally a danger sign on a Zenith watch but not in this case. It seems that both the cal. 271 and 260 had their origins in clocks designed for the auto industry. Cool.

Incidentally, the cal. 271 movement has a diameter of 57mm, while the cal. 26x series has a diameter of 65mm.

 

Ah......the 'market' value of rare item. I think you do well in the negotiation. With that condition and complete papers....

 

FYI...one just hit the bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZENITH-CHRONOMETRE-MARINE-/251322897564Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

As I predicted - for less $$$, though it looks a bit rougher and is sans papiers.