Zenith - ref.22429 "ZENITTONE" - Cal.166 - Men - 1949
05
days
17
hours
16
minutes
24
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Erwin Dekker
Experienced antique dealer with extensive watch collecting expertise and antiques background.
Estimate € 20,000 - € 24,000
18 other people are watching this object
 Bidder 4464 | €1 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 121899 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Zenith ref.22429 ZENITTONE with Cal.166 manual-winding movement, stainless steel case, 46 mm, year 1949, condition very good with minor signs of wear.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
This is a nice, large, 46mm "Zenithtone" chronograph, also produced by Universal Genève under the name "Compax." In Italy, these Zenith chronographs are called "Zenittone" (the "one" suffix indicates a large size), while the Universal Compax is called "Universalone."
Zenith and chronographs are often associated with the El Primero movement, but there's another side to the famous watchmaker and that particular complication. Zenith was founded in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot, but didn't officially adopt the Zenith brand name until 1911. Their first pocket chronograph was produced in 1899. However, demand for Zenith watches wasn't as high as that of other brands, so the manufacturer often purchased external calibers, especially in the 1940s and 1950s, for their wrist chronographs.
The Martel Watch Company was founded in 1911 and, starting in the 1930s, supplied chronograph movements to Zenith and Universal Geneve. Zenith named the Martel chronograph movements based on their size. Because they were produced in 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 lignes, they were subsequently designated Cal. 122, 136, 146, 156, and 166.
From the 1940s to the mid-1950s, Zenith used chronograph movements supplied by manufacturers other than those supplied by Martel. In 1960, Zenith acquired Martel and continued to use its chronograph manufacturing capabilities to develop an automatic chronograph movement. Their efforts culminated in 1969 with the announcement of a working prototype of an automatic chronograph: the El Primero.
Here is an incredible Zenith Compur ref.22429, large size stainless steel aviator chronograph, dating to the circa 1950s.
The steel case is elegant and very well preserved, with square chronograph pushers.
This oversized beauty is powered by a manual-winding caliber 166 movement.
The beautiful original dial with Arabic numerals and double tachometric and telemetric scale is very rare in watches from this period.
Extremely rare watch for true collectors!
DHL express insured shipping 24/48H
This is a nice, large, 46mm "Zenithtone" chronograph, also produced by Universal Genève under the name "Compax." In Italy, these Zenith chronographs are called "Zenittone" (the "one" suffix indicates a large size), while the Universal Compax is called "Universalone."
Zenith and chronographs are often associated with the El Primero movement, but there's another side to the famous watchmaker and that particular complication. Zenith was founded in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot, but didn't officially adopt the Zenith brand name until 1911. Their first pocket chronograph was produced in 1899. However, demand for Zenith watches wasn't as high as that of other brands, so the manufacturer often purchased external calibers, especially in the 1940s and 1950s, for their wrist chronographs.
The Martel Watch Company was founded in 1911 and, starting in the 1930s, supplied chronograph movements to Zenith and Universal Geneve. Zenith named the Martel chronograph movements based on their size. Because they were produced in 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 lignes, they were subsequently designated Cal. 122, 136, 146, 156, and 166.
From the 1940s to the mid-1950s, Zenith used chronograph movements supplied by manufacturers other than those supplied by Martel. In 1960, Zenith acquired Martel and continued to use its chronograph manufacturing capabilities to develop an automatic chronograph movement. Their efforts culminated in 1969 with the announcement of a working prototype of an automatic chronograph: the El Primero.
Here is an incredible Zenith Compur ref.22429, large size stainless steel aviator chronograph, dating to the circa 1950s.
The steel case is elegant and very well preserved, with square chronograph pushers.
This oversized beauty is powered by a manual-winding caliber 166 movement.
The beautiful original dial with Arabic numerals and double tachometric and telemetric scale is very rare in watches from this period.
Extremely rare watch for true collectors!
DHL express insured shipping 24/48H
Details
Brand
Zenith
Gender
Men
Model
ref.22429 "ZENITTONE"
Band material
Textile
Reference Number
Cal.166
Band length
Long (over 200 mm)
Shipped Insured
Yes
Repainted dial
No
Period
1900-1949
Movement
Manual winding
Case material
Steel
Original box included
No
Original papers included
No
Case diameter
46 mm
Original warranty included
No
Condition
Very good - minor signs of wear
Year
1949
Sold by
