Zenith

ztirual
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Short presentation of my Zenith cal.135

Thank you, Art, for inviting me to present you all this Zenith watch.

If there is one Zenith watch that does not need introduction it is the calibre 135, a watch produced from 1949 up to 1962 and only surpassed in fame today by the El Primero, a model introduced some 20 years later. It is this calibre 135 that, once masterfully regulated, would give the manufacture from Le Locle famous victories at the annual chronometric competitions of Neuchatel, namely 5 victories on the trot between 1950 and 1954. I read in Manfred Rossler's book that according to experts the strenght of cal. 135 resided in its abnormal, but how beautiful, large balance wheel, that allowed very accurate regulation, and that, coupled with an almost equally large barrel and the crown wheel's slanted teeth, would give the mecanism it's characteristic, famous, smooth drive.  The mouvement, the creation of E. Jobin, had wheel teeth and pinions whose shape were mathematically calculated to reduce friction, whilst the lower main wheel were designed to yield less mass in the escapement area. It is thought that there were produced about 13,500  in all, although I must say that the total number of 11,000 pieces is also often advanced. I imagine that it is the size of the balance wheel that is the cause of the clearly audible ticking of the movement, a most charming feature that is another almost instantly recognizable trademark of the cal. 135.
Of the three known versions of cal. 135,  the watch displayed below belongs the last one, understandably referred to as the 'Zenith 2000 model', which thought to have been produced between 1958 (?) and 1969 (please correct me if I am wrong). A very similar watch with the double signature of Zenith and Fabre-Leuba on the dial, that can be dated to 1960, is published in M. Rossler's book. It is described as being 'manufactured' by Fabre-Leuba for the Indian market. Fabre-Leuba, a watch manufacture in its own right, was at that time a known distributor of Zenith watches for the Eastern and Far Eastern market.

The watch in a few words. 'Chronometre' (in French) printed on the face and engraved on the wheel train bridge (NB. not all cal. 135 are), with double Zenith and Fabre-Leuba signature on the dial, believed to have been assembled and distributed by Fabre-Leuba, 35,5mm steel case, rhodium plated movement, 19 jewels, compensation balance with 18.000 vph, Breguet overcoil, fine adjustment, Incablock, Geneva waves, screw back with Zenith 2000, Zenith star logo and waterproof inscriptions. The original winding crown exhibits Zenith's pre 1965 logo, whilst the leather strap is mounted with an original pre ca. 1960 buckle. Original watch box form the 1950's.

I would be grateful if anyone could post pictures of their own cal. 135.
Best Ztirual

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