In his witty thread: http://omegaforums.net/threads/attention-ukranian-frankenmakers.4090/, Dennis delicately (as always) sends up Zenith's decision to make a wristwatch with its enormous and justly celebrated 50mm cal. 5011 K movement. The cal. 5011 K was Zenith's last observatory chronometre movement. The brainchild of then-chief-designer J.-P. Gerber, the 5011 K was developed in the late '50s and debuted in 1960. It was produced in three forms: as a chronometer for competition (its principal raison d'être), a chronometer for sea and air navigation, and a high-end pocket watch. In 1967, on the eve of the quartz era, it established a record for accuracy (for mechanical watches, of course). Illustrated is my pocket watch version, designed by Prof. Thomas Engel who, it will be observed, had a thing for the Breguet look. 5,400 movements were produced between 1960 and 2002, including 2,300 shipped to Ulysse Nardin for their marine chronometres. I still do not know whether the movements now used in the limited edition Montre d'Aeronef illustrated in Dennis's thread are new, or left over from the original production.
Dennis is right. Here is the 5011K in its proper habitat, and in all its glory. These Professor Engel chronometers are sublime.
I don't have a manufacture date, but it went through its "Trials for Pocket-watches" testing with the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres (COSC) in September of 1990 and received its Certificate ("Especially Good Results") on September 13, 1990 at La Chaux-de-Fonds. So I'm guessing it was produced in 1990 but it could have been earlier. I haven't taken the trouble of writing to Zenith to find out.
Dennis, do you remember that Aaron Faber had one in the window the time we went there together? He wanted $5k for it, so safe to say they go for less than that!
Shit, that's it? I automatically thought they'd be nearly twice that. It would be a nice stable mate for my chronograph/repeater pink gold pocketwatch.
Well you don't see them too often, and the price is variable. I recall one discussed on Hodinkee with an asking price upwards of US $5,000. I was fortunate to pick mine up on Chronoauction, where I took it for $2,100. Seemed good to me. Incidentally, I don't know to what the "No. 184" engraved inside the case back refers - presumably the series designed by Prof. Engel, but I'm not sure. The case is sterling silver, there are 19 jewels in the movement and there is a display back under the silver case back.
Darn it Chris, I was hoping no one would blow the lid off these Engel chronometres before I got mine! Beautiful watch.
From your keyboard to the Watch God's ears. Even my day off casual watches can't have a plain dial - Mother of Pearl on the Breitling, teak / plank on the Omega. I'm hopelessly predictable.
