French Market Cal 133.8 in Rose Gold

MMMD
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Found un ami for the Fab. Suisse cal 133 posted here:

http://omegaforums.net/index.php?threads/Zenith-Cal-133-Bumper-with-Extra-Swiss.6339/

This bumper is also 35mm in diameter, but cased in 18k rose gold. It has made a few appearances in the WRUW thread, but you haven't seen the box, papers or innards yet. The serial number dates the production of the movement to 1955. The watch was sold in France on 13 July 1959... just in time for La Fête Nationale.

French133_8BoxandPapers_zpsf77579b9.jpg


French133_8Face_zpsbfd52c13.jpg


French133_8FaceDetail2_zps64bd0132.jpg


French133_8Back_zps5987fc00.jpg


French133_8Mvmt_zps0bf4bc4f.jpg


B5DB28F1-9534-4C47-B59E-4B0BA5C2050F_zps96wzaxql.jpg


B9AC038B-D8C4-4D9E-84DD-A468EF8C4875_zpslx4xoqed.jpg
 
LouS
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that's an absolutely brilliant find. I know people take points off for non-Swiss cases, but honesetly, I don't see why with French cases.
 
D
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Magnifico! I am in awe of the rose case, pearl seconds and stunning diamond/coffin markers... Droolworthy! :thumbsup: Ps. The fact it's a French case, imo, enhances it's appeal
 
MMMD
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D Dablitzer
...The fact it's a French case, imo, enhances it's appeal

I feel the same. Look, Zenith had a factory and a big business presence in France... to me these watches are 100% Zenith with a French flavor. Plus there's that cool eagle head on the back. :)
 
Fritz
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Honestly, who cares who made the case, its all part of the original watch and its beautiful!

Some guys have all the luck!

a question though.... what is the little spring on the back of the movement, the flat strip with the open ring at the end which curves up so it will contact the back???? Ground strap? Ejector mechanism? General Motors anti-rattle spring (GM calls that a mucket!) ?????
 
D
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MMMD MMMD
I feel the same. Look, Zenith had a factory and a big business presence in France... to me these watches are 100% Zenith with a French flavor. Plus there's that cool eagle head on the back. :)
It's definately the eagle head, the eagles head is just cool! :p:thumbsup:
 
MMMD
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Fritz Fritz
Honestly, who cares who made the case, its all part of the original watch and its beautiful!

Some guys have all the luck!

a question though.... what is the little spring on the back of the movement, the flat strip with the open ring at the end which curves up so it will contact the back???? Ground strap? Ejector mechanism? General Motors anti-rattle spring (GM calls that a mucket!) ?????

I think that doohickey is there to put some tension between the case back and movement and to keep things from moving around inside. Yes, the anti-rattle spring/mucket! Either that or it's a forward-thinking battery contact. ;)
 
LouS
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MMMD MMMD
I feel the same. Look, Zenith had a factory and a big business presence in France... to me these watches are 100% Zenith with a French flavor. Plus there's that cool eagle head on the back. :)


Interestingly, this is not a Besancon watch, else the "Fab. Suisse" wouldn't be there. Only the case comes from France.
 
MMMD
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LouS LouS
Interestingly, this is not a Besancon watch, else the "Fab. Suisse" wouldn't be there. Only the case comes from France.

Yeah, I wonder where they were assembled. I haven't yet figured out who the case maker is; the case maker's mark on the inside of the case back includes the letters A and F.
 
LouS
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It's definately the eagle head, the eagles head is just cool! :p:thumbsup:

Certainly beats some Swiss miss in profile or a squirrel (although squirrels carry a lot of weight around here:cautious:). Strange women lyin' in watchcases is no basis for a system of hallmarks.

MMMD MMMD
Yeah, I wonder where they were assembled.

still Besancon, I'll bet, with movements trucked in from just across the border in Le Locle. They are listed as a Zenith location on the guarantee paper.

MMMD MMMD
I haven't yet figured out who the case maker is; the case maker's mark on the inside of the case back includes the letters A and F.

Sure it's not P G F like below? Let's have a pic.

9475e3f3-9d19-4af7-aaec-c97e565ffc29_zps55609840.jpg
 
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