I was looking for a very early crownpusher chronograph for a while, as these are the very first Zenith chronograph wristwatches made back in the 1920-1930s. Just found this re-cased one with a Valjoux 22gh movement in running condition. Unfortunately the watch has lost its original gold case during its long life...
Movement works but as you can see it is missing an original part on the chronofunction (sorry but I don´t know the right english expression), that was replaced with a "handmade" (but still working!) solution.
Beautiful enamel dial with blued hands and great looking on the wrist (40mm)! So I´m just not sure if I should hold it in my small collection even if it is not all original..

 

If you did not spend a fortune for it, it's a handsome watch. Those dials don't grow on trees.

 

Hello,

Old thread, but nevertheless . This does not seem to be a 22GH, that looks like the one shown below, see the different form of the sweep seconds and minutes cock. I would suggest a Valjoux VZ, later renamed to Valjoux 23.

Cheers, Bernhard



And here is the front side (labeled Nicolet).

 

Below is a comparison of a Valjoux 22GH, the Zenith's movement, and a Valjoux VZ. If you compare the location of the screws, as well as many other details, I think it is evident that the Zenith's movement is based on a Valjoux 22GH and not a Valjoux VZ.

 

Yes, indeed, the similarities with the 22GH seem greater. But there are just as well plenty differences, including functional differences, so that I would not say that the Zenith IS a 22GH. I wonder, whether Zenith made all these changes and why (if so).

Cheers, Bernhard

 

Below is a comparison with a Valjoux 22GH from a Heuer. I imagine that the design of the Valjoux 22GH evolved over time. I would guess that the variant in the Nicolet is earlier, as it is missing a "blocking lever".

 

P.S. Another possiblity is that different versions of the Valjoux 22GH were produced concurrently.

 

The photo of the Heuer movement is indeed convincing. Perhaps Zenith simply wanted to have an own "footprint" in the movement by replacing the cock for the sweep seconds and the minute counter by one of different form, at the same time applying the Zenith signature.

Yes, the Nicolet is rather early, about 1930.

Cheers, Bernhard

 

This practice was quite common. Below is a comparison of a Zenith caliber 146 and a Universal Geneve caliber 285.