ID vintage zenith automatic chronometre

M
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My father just gave me this. It was his father's. Would love to know more about it 20160326_131811.jpg
 
Tony C.
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Very likely a cal. 133.8 bumper chronometre, and you are a lucky guy. It's an outstanding movement, and your watch is very pretty.

Do you feel a bump when you move your arm around? I expect so, but of not, then it's a full rotor automatic, and the hardcore Zenith collectors will fill you in.

Congratulations in either case!
 
M
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Thank you!
I just took the watch off, put my fingers under the watch and swung my arm around wildly and pretty sure there is no bump. I just googled full rotor... I know nothing about watches.

I'm actually a girl and it fits me reasonably well on the tightest setting, though a tiny bit tighter would be nice.

My father never wore it because he's more of a sports stainless steel deep diving watch man.

Tony C. Tony C.
Very likely a cal. 133.8 bumper chronometre, and you are a lucky guy. It's an outstanding movement, and your watch is very pretty.

Do you feel a bump when you move your arm around? I expect so, but of not, then it's a full rotor automatic, and the hardcore Zenith collectors will fill you in.

Congratulations in either case!
 
M
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There is a 6 digit number on the back but when I Google nothing comes up. Maybe it's a serial.
 
Tony C.
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Ah, sorry, then you're a lucky girl! Full rotor chronometres were a later development for Zenith, and are more efficient. Really lovely watch – your grandpa had good taste!

The reason that I guessed bumper is because the dial style seems to be early (say '50s), but that's obviously not a perfect guide.

Cheers,

Tony
 
Stewart H
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The six digit case reference would indicate a gold case. The only times I have seen that circular age related markings on the dial have been on bumpers and the dial style does also suggest a 133.8 as Tony suggests.
 
M
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Stewart H Stewart H
The six digit case reference would indicate a gold case. The only times I have seen that circular age related markings on the dial have been on bumpers and the dial style does also suggest a 133.8 as Tony suggests.
If I hold the casing tight between my fingers and move it fast I THINK I MIGHT feel a bump. Nothing I would ever have noticed without this information. Thank you.
 
LouS
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M maeglutz
Thank you!
I just took the watch off, put my fingers under the watch and swung my arm around wildly and pretty sure there is no bump..
M maeglutz
If I hold the casing tight between my fingers and move it fast I THINK I MIGHT feel a bump.

Isn't anyone going to mention that it might not be all that good for an old watch to be swinging it around like you are winding up for a fastball?

It is a cal 133.8, maeglutz - really nice watch and especially on that gold milanese bracelet - plus it is your granddad's. You should know the mechanical bits inside are reasonably robust, but also more than a half-century old. They are not really built to take a lickin' as the old Timex ad says. Also, these need to be serviced every 5 years or so, so if it is due, I wouldn't wear it a whole lot before taking it to a watchmaker.
 
M
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Ok, I won't wind it anymore and I'll take it to a watchmaker this week. Does it take long to service? If he can do it in front of me I can take pictures of the movement
 
LouS
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He'll open it for you to take pics, but you'll need to leave it for the service.
 
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