ZENITH, «  CHRONOMETRE DE BORD », MARINE CHRONOMETER

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Iconeek is proud to introduce here an unusual and rare, Marine chronometer by Zenith: the « Chronomètre de Bord ». The name of the Swiss manufacturer as always been associated with precision. The cal. 5011 was Zenith's last observatory chronometer movement. Under direction of designer J.-P. Gerber, the 5011 K was developed in the late '50s and debuted in 1960. It was produced for three purpose with its special large diameter: as a chronometer for competition , a chronometer for sea and air navigation and to fit high-end pocket watch. In 1967,  the caliber established a record for accuracy for a mechanical watch.

Under ref. 04.00140.41, the present « Chronomètre de Bord » is powered by a caliber 5011 O,  « O » stands for Observatory, 22 lines, 18’000 alt/hour, rhodium-plated, 19 jewels, glucydur balance, Breguet balance spring, antimagnetic self-compensating hairspring, patented dual regulator tail, Zenith winding stem mount system.  Charles Fleck, one of the most famous chronometer adjusters at Zenith from 1925 to 1956, is the inventor of the dual index regulator, in the end of the 1940. The system was later patented under patent no. 292133 in August 1951. The system allows to secured the accuracy by a bigger friction with the balance bridge. The movement wins the Neuchatel Observatory contest of 1967. the movement is no more used since 2007, but remains one of the pride of the Swiss brand. According to scholars, 5’400 movements were produced between 1960 and 2002, including 2,300 shipped to Ulysse Nardin for their marine chronometers.

The model is a fine brass-mounted mahogany two-days lever keyless deck watch, with two-tier box with glazed top, brass bowl and gimbal, a silvered  dial with painted large radial Roman dial with 48-hour power reserve indication (36-48 with red warning indication), outer railway minute division, blued steel hands, stop button to the side to set the second, keyless winding. Dial, case and movement are signed.

Condition: 8.5/10, some signs of wear in places, two small dents on the corners, in working condition.