Compax 12510

Noodia

Thanks to both of you

Lou, this Zenith is a remarkable piece, it retains what I believe to be the very original sketch of these cases with their flat bezel, condition on this one is outstanding, the sandwich dial is a terrific cherry on the cake. I assume this one is somewhere near 33/34 mm diameter ?
The inner case back engraving is an interesting detail confirming these come from the same case maker.

Another Zenith "over-sized" case with the same lugs is shown in the Sala's book with ref 12517 but comes with another bezel type, perverting the purity of the original design IMO


Credit : Sala's book


Credit : Watchprosite

This is typically the kind of case where condition makes the watch, when this one landed, I had the feeling this was a scarce case type until I realized I crossed this one many time in Sala's book without noticing it were the same lugs, here with a thin bezel


Credit : Sala's book

A close look in the manufacture archives pictures allow to see many others case references with the same lugs.

Going further, I crossed others like this late split seconds Eberhard (unfortunately, no inner case back photo available)


Credit : vintagewatches.it

shown in this mid 60s brochure


Credit : Nicolas1960

There are others gold cases,

I've also found this interesting steel case IWC Cal.83 chronometer



and to conclude these lugs type overview, the early Compur was advertised in the 90s Antiquorum UG auction catalog as having been made on special order from Hermes (notice the lugs are called "lapidated" here)





but this does not bring much IMO with the exception of a mystery or a questioning addendum for an auction...

The sole certainty I have with this Hermes topic is these are no real Hermes watches, it seems they all came out from the prestigious house with an additional serial number that was the Hermes internal inventory number

Argtv7

I suck as a photographer! The best I can do is in direct sunlight, and all kinds of stuff shows up that isn't otherwise there! I'm sure I'm not the first to discover how hard it is to take pictures of watches.....sigh.

So here it is. It looks way better than this. I bought it in a plastic bag of junk watches at a second-hand store (paid next-to-nothing). It had an awful 70s stretchy bracelet when I got it. (That, to me, speaks of correctness, as they had no idea what was in the bag). In my pic, you'll see crackly between 1:00 and 3:00. That's in the crystal, which I believe is original. Those crackles aren't visible otherwise. It has wire lugs. It has not been polished at all, and it keeps perfect time. Also got the original Hermes 1930s box!

G GeraldLui

Yes UG looks nice on a NATO

Best Gerald

LouS

Most interesting. I don't think I've ever seen that script for 'Hermes' before. The case, while well-used, has preserved its shape reasonably well too. Certainly an amazing thrift shop find.

Noodia

Nice combo Gerald !