Classy timer
Zenith chronograph 146HP
Quick facts
Brand: Zenith
Model: Chronograph
Reference: A273
Year: 1960's
Case: Stainless steel, 37mm
Caliber: 146HP, manual wound
What about it
Its design transcends temporal boundaries, encapsulating an aesthetic that remains eternally relevant and captivating across generations.
It's a meticulously crafted stainless steel chronograph that exemplifies the art of minimalist design - a lesson in efficiency that many modern watchmakers could learn from. Stripping away the unnecessary, it showcases a silver dial and matching registers complemented by blued-steel hands, even within the sub-dials, and precise black-lined indexes. Housing the venerable manual-winding 146HP chronograph movement within its 37mm case with slightly oversized lugs, it sits larger on the wrist than anticipated. The dial's simplicity, adorned solely with the Zenith logo and a modest star, adds a Spartan quality that unifies the entire aesthetic feel.
The Martel 146 movements marked Zenith's final deployment of manual wind movements in their chronographs before transitioning to the El Primero high-beat movements in 1969.
37
Diametermm
19
Lug widthmm
18000
Frequencyvph
44
Power h
Plastic
Crystal
Caliber 146 by Martel
The manual wind caliber 146H was created by Martel ebauches. It was also used by Universal Geneve. Later on the movement was upgraded to the caliber 146HP in the mid 1960's. In 1960 Zenith acquired Martel Watch Co. — although there is debate whether it was 1958, 1959, or 1960 — making sure that it could produce chronograph movements “in-house.” The Caliber 146 was one of those movements produced in-house. But it is actually a family of movements that stood out because of its solid construction. On top of that, it was easy to produce in different sizes. The difference between the caliber 146H and 146HP was a series of improvements that Zenith made.
The essence of a classic
This embodies the blueprint for crafting a timeless classic:
- Great size - 37mm
- Silver sunburst dial
- Blued-steel hands
- Beautiful serif typefaces
- Metal applied logo
- Metal applied hour markers
- No luminous material
Now, some might argue that a two-register chronograph holds an edge. They might be right :)
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Market
Availability: rare
Few watches on sale
Pricing: 4,000 - 6,000 €
(Dec 2023)
References
There's a lack of pertinent information documented about it.
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