Not a vintage zenith expert by any means but perhaps some of you might want to post watches that you think are interesting. Here is one I've seen to start the ball rollling:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150951190330?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=150951190330&_rdc=1
and another Victorious with a cal 40.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-ZENITH-VICTORIOUS-CAL40T-MECHANICAL-1963-YEAR-/321036019099
I guess I'm thinking about this model wrong with respect to the Martel connection
What's up with the "U" at the 6 position?
It's a cut off 6.
Well, it looks like the Antiquorum Luna Luxe has a little brother on eBay: Zenith Chronograph El Primero vintage 1970s blue mens watch.
What the deuce was this 1972 Chicago Sweepstakes?
Careful with that one, it is missing the tachymeter bezel. That reference is tricky that way, because it looks complete without it. Should look like this:
About two years ago, I bought a watch so inscribed from the daughter of the original owner, who was able to enlighten me on this. As you've noticed, it is a common caseback engraving on certain Primeros, esp G 381s. It turns out these were prizes given to top television salesmen by Zenith electronics, which had just acquired Zenith watches, at a sales convention in 1972. It makes one want to cringe - the extraordinary tossed out like party favors to salesmen of the absolutely banal.
Well, zenith the television company is not too banal - they probably had as many inventions in the tv industry as zenith the watch company had in the watch industry. Zenith is credited with inventing things like wireless remote controls for tv, MTS stereo, pioneer in HDTV systems and subscription tv systems etc...
Funny how the bezels go missing on these things.
They must be made of the same biodegradable materials as the bezels on 50's and 60's Constellations. 😜 Simply evaporation!
Boy, several anomalies there. First, I think that's a wholesale redial. It ought to have Swiss or Swiss Made at this point. A block capital automatic is not unheard of, but its unusual - most are script. Then there is the caseback, which I agree ought to belong on a Captain. Then there is the movement...
Compare it
to a more usual 133.8
Note the difference in markings, and even the width of the cotes de geneve. That I've never seen. By serial number, it could be very very early in the movement run. I'll leave this piece for someone else.
Oh, and the box is sure as heck not original. It's about 18 or 19 years too young.
I hate to take issue with you Lou but the first one is a 133 and looks very much like the movement in mine. The springs are fixed as opposed to the 133.8 where the springs are on the oscillating weight.
and another Victorious with a cal 40.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-ZENITH-VICTORIOUS-CAL40T-MECHANICAL-1963-YEAR-/321036019099
