Hi Everyone, I bought my first Zenith last week and it has no star on the dial but the dial looks fairly old. The movement has 6 digits in the 520,000 range and the case back is 6 digits as well (667773). Were plain dials common and was this one made in France around 1950? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, alan
Hi Alan, Movement N° (500,000 / 600,000) seems to confirm that the watch is "french fab." from Besançon. Unfortunately I never managed to find a document that can confirm exact year of production from the serial number. From what I read here and there Besançon's production was between 15,000 and 20,000 pieces a year, which make sens as the whole production was intended to french market only. I would place it in the 50's as well but better pics of the dial will help specialist, with better knowledge than I, to chime in. A movement shot will help as well! I believe the dial is original as the "Zenith" writing looks good for the period with rhombus "Z". The absence of star, while not common, is not unusual either. Send us a shot of the inside but I bet we'll find a cal.106... Best Jeremie
The 6 digits number and the movement (from the 106 series) confirm it is very likely a Besançon watch. As far as I know, the dates production for each movement are lost - even Zénith does not have them. But it is not a big deal because thanks to these information, you already know it dates back from the end if the 40s/the early 50s. I have seeing this kind of dial on these watches.