I bought a 135

[jsaen]

Because of this forum, I felt I needed (yes, needed) a 135. These seem to be very hard to find. I rarely see them for sale, so I recently saw one on Ebay and I pounced. I don't know that I got a good deal, but I needed a 135!

I mostly got it for the pretty pretty movement.








The dial is redial (as evidenced by "CHRONOMETER" spelling and the lack of "SWISS" at the bottom. ), but I think that the hands and numbers are correct. Does anybody know if that's true?


I'm unsure about the model watch this is. On the case and on the inside of the back is "375."



and the outside of the case back is totally blank.


There's also a lot of watchmaker's marks on there from the 50s, 60s, and at least one from the 70s.


The best collection of 135 information I could find is http://forums.watchuseek.com/f27/ze...eries-zenith-caliber-135-overview-859709.html. From that it appears I have a 2nd series movement.

I don't think it's been serviced since the 70s, so I better send it to a watchmaker before it melts before my eyes.

 

[PaulC77]

The 375 on the case and caseback will signify the quality of gold, 375 means nine carat.

 

[jsaen]

Thanks @PaulC77. That shows what I know

 

[Willem023]

Just curious and not wanting to be rude or anything, but what were your arguments to buy a watch with a redial, whilst you know so little about it, be it the originality of the hands or even the exact material (9 carat) of the case ?
Although I do like the watch, I would have taken time to learn before buying, but that might just be me.

 

[rcs914]

Willem023

Just curious and not wanting to be rude or anything, but what were your arguments to buy a watch with a redial, whilst you know so little about it, be it the originality of the hands or even the exact material (9 carat) of the case ?
Although I do like the watch, I would have taken time to learn before buying, but that might just be me.

I took if from his original post that he was really looking for a watch with that movement specifically.

 

[jsaen]

that is a very good question and it shows I didn't represent myself well. But yes, @rcs914 is right, I wanted that movement. In the 9-12 months that I've been looking for it, I've only seen one other on Ebay, and none on chrono24 or watchrecon. I do not even like gold watches, but beggers can't be choosers.

So I have done research on the movement, but it's not clear to me exactly what watch this is. I haven't done quite as little research as it probably looked like in that first post. In the link I included there is a picture of a steal 135 that looks similar to mine. And the crown looks has a star with a z in the middle, so that looks correct. However, the case is different than that picture, and not just because it's gold. The inside of the case back does not say zenith and there is no case number, so I don't know the whole case is some kind of replacement as well.

I haven't found a clear set of pictures of all the different varieties of watches that the 135 were in.

 

[Finrod Felagund]

Hi Jsaen,

Congrats for this very nice catch

The dial, although redone, shall be the one one of a Zenith "2000" considering markers are originals.
Also keep in mind that Zenith did at that time many many combinations with dials, hands and cases with many watches that were not eb=ven named.





Regarding the case, it's quit hard to tell with your pictures but could very well be the one below on this advertising for cal.135:

(Celebration of 5 wins in a row at Neuchâtel observatory contest)



Regarding the movement it is IMO a very fine exemple as it has the Chronometre mark and still a nice "Côtes de Genève" finish.
Remember also that Cal.135 has a total production of 11000 exemples, so it is indeed not common to find one in the wild.

The serial 45***** indicate a 1955 production.

The best article on this movement is in french but you shall be able to translate and get the core of informations:

https://sites.google.com/site/zenithistoric/zenith-et-le-calibre-135


Enjoy your watch and may you wear it in good health!!

Jeremie

 

[m neuman]

135's are consider one of the 10 greatest movements ever made. They represent the epitome of time only pieces, pure and simple. However when you own a watch, you do not just own a movement you own the whole thing. It is like owning a car that has great tires but the rest is useless. The combination of movement and simplicity of the dial is what make the 135 what it is, a great timepiece. They made 11,000 of these over the time period. Patience will provide you with a piece that you need not make any excuses for.
Learning to walk you fall and bruise your knee, but you get up and try again! In MHO

 

[Bill Sohne]

HI

Great Watch !!!! You got the business end covered. Appears to be a 9k British made case for Zenith watch co.... That is nice also . The dial is not great you can try to redial or just wait... for another dial to come along.... Also Zenith made 11,000 of the 135 movements. Some say that is alot other disagree... They were produce3d over a 11 or 12 year period right? 1000 pieces a year average... and I bet it was not an even distribution... more at the tail end then in the earlier years... So in my book any 135 marked Chronometre is uncommon and I would not mind having any 135 Zenith powered watch...

Just my opinion...


Good Hunting

Bill Sohne

 

[Willem023]

@m neuman : thanks! Was not aware.
Can not cover the whole range, hence the remark.

Cheers
W