Zenith Tri-compax

[LouS]

Here's an interesting one - A Zenith Tri-Compax from the mid 1980s. This is a confection assembled by Zenith from warehoused movements not long after its resurrection as a mechanical watch manufacture. There were Zenith-branded Tri-Compaxes when the model was current in the 1950s, housed in very different cases from this one. This one is a bit of an ersatz, but interesting nonetheless. Note the movement carries both UG caliber designation (281) and Zenith (136 HC).

The turn off for me is the too-studied vintage look, with the Breguet hands, the teardrop lugs and the onion crown, none of which are features of the original.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18114728781...l?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=181147287817&_rdc=1

 

[MMMD]

Yes, kind of a contrived hodge-podge of old-fashioned elements. And the "ZENITH" within (instead of beneath) the moon phase subdial bugs me. And the gold-plating. And yet, it's still among Zenith's best non-Primero efforts of the 80's.

 

[ulackfocus]

That's a poorly chosen combination. Replace the Breguet hands with willow style, and leave the onion crown off for a traditional serrated crown.

 

[Interstatetime]

I think the gold and too small Breguet hands bother me more than anything else. They just don't go with the dial and the rest of the hands. I can't believe the factory would have put those hands on the watch. I agree with you Lou that this is "too studied" but with those hands it was too studied by someone with very little aesthetic sense.

JCote