955
Zenith
TIPO CP-2
A rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with engraved case back, retailed by A. Cairelli
- Estimate
- HK$96,000 - 120,000€10,400 - 13,100$12,000 - 15,000
HK$118,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Zenith
- Year
- Circa 1960
- Case No
- Military issue number: 202'624
- Model Name
- TIPO CP-2
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 146 DP
- Bracelet/Strap
- Brown leather strap
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel associated buckle
- Dimensions
- 43mm diameter
- Signed
- <em>Dial and movement signed by maker, dial furthermore signed by retailer, case engraved with Italian Army military inscriptions</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Zenith Cairelli TIPO CP-2 (CP standing for Cronometro da polso: wrist chronograph) is among the most collectible and recognizable military chronograph models from the past century. Distinguished by its very large 43 mm. diameter, black luminous dial and revolving bezel, it was made in about 2500 pieces in the 1960s, and retailed by Rome-based A. Cairelli, the elected retailer for the Italian army. Interestingly, the Army turned to Zenith to ensure continuity of the supply: Universal was the supplier during the 1950s, using movements made by Martel Watch. When Zenith bought the Martel in 1959, the Army followed the new ownership. The model was available in two different versions: a civilian one, with blank case back, and the present military version, whose case back is engraved with the issue number and military designations.
The attractiveness and popularity of the model is testified by the fact the Zenith launched a modern re-edition of the CP-2 last year.
The attractiveness and popularity of the model is testified by the fact the Zenith launched a modern re-edition of the CP-2 last year.
Zenith
Swiss | 1865Since Zenith's beginnings, founder George Favre-Jacot sought to manufacture precision timepieces, realizing quality control was best maintained when production was housed under one roof. Zenith remains one of the few Swiss manufacturers to produce their own in-house movements to this day.
Today, the brand is best known for the "El Primero," the firm's most successful automatic chronograph movement. In an interesting twist of fate, the company that owned Zenith during the 1970s decided to move on to quartz movements and therefore sought to destroy the parts and tools necessary to make mechanical movements. One watchmaker realized this folly and hid the tools and parts before they were destroyed. In 1984, he returned them to Zenith so they could once again make the El Primero movement.
Browse MakerToday, the brand is best known for the "El Primero," the firm's most successful automatic chronograph movement. In an interesting twist of fate, the company that owned Zenith during the 1970s decided to move on to quartz movements and therefore sought to destroy the parts and tools necessary to make mechanical movements. One watchmaker realized this folly and hid the tools and parts before they were destroyed. In 1984, he returned them to Zenith so they could once again make the El Primero movement.