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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Chronograph hunting-case pocket watch

Zenith Hunting-Case Chronograph Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Zenith hunting-case pocket watch is dated by the auction source to 1917 and features a round chromium-plated case measuring 52.5 mm in diameter. The source states it houses an 18-ligne gilded brass movement with a straight-line lever escapement and keyless winding. The white dial displays Arabic numerals, an inner 24-hour track in red, subsidiary dials at 9 and 3 o'clock, and an outer telemetric scale graduated for 1,000 meters. The chronograph mechanism is operated via a rectangular push-piece situated on the case-band at 6 o'clock.

Zenith chromium-plated hunting-case chronograph pocket watch, showing the dial, crown at 3 o'clock, and pusher at 6 o'clock
Zenith chromium-plated hunting-case chronograph pocket watch, showing the dial, crown at 3 o'clock, and pusher at 6 o'clock — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Chronograph hunting-case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Zenith
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
181
Source-reported date
1917
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
4 848 378

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Case Construction

Described by the auction source as a hunting-case Zenith pocket watch, the piece is dated to 1917 and recorded under case number 4 848 378. The round-shaped case measures 52.5 mm in diameter and is documented as chromium-plated. Visible case features include an open hunting cover hinged to the left side of the case, paired with a winding crown and bow positioned at the 3 o'clock location relative to the dial.

Operation of the chronograph mechanism is managed via a rectangular push-piece set on the case-band at the 6 o'clock position. The auction catalog also records keyless winding and reports that signatures appear on the dial, case, and movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “Chromium plated, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch”
  • “Case No. 4 848 378”
  • “Dimensions Ø 52.5 mm.”
  • “Open hunting-case cover hinged to the left side of the case”
  • “Winding crown and bow located at the 3 o'clock dial position”
  • “rectangular push-piece located on the case-band at 6 o'clock”
  • “Signature Dial, case and movement”

Dial Display and Scale Layout

The white dial displays black Arabic hour numerals alongside a concentric inner 24-hour track printed in red. Two subsidiary dials are positioned on the horizontal axis at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock locations.

An outer telemetric scale is graduated along the dial perimeter and inscribed 'CALCULÉ PAR 1000 MÈTRES DE DISTANCE'. The catalog entry lists this function as a 1/5-second chronograph and telemetric scale graduated for 1,000 meters.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Arabic hour numerals and a concentric inner 24-hour track in red”
  • “Subsidiary dials located at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions”
  • “Outer telemetric scale inscribed 'CALCULÉ PAR 1000 MÈTRES DE DISTANCE'”
  • “1/5 second chronograph (activated by the rectangular push-piece located on the case-band at 6 o'clock) and telemetric scale graduated for 1 000 meters”

Movement Specifications and Catalog Discrepancies

Because the internal movement is not depicted in the provided visual record, all movement attributes rely solely on auction documentation. The catalog notes an 18-ligne gilded brass movement under movement number 2 124 450, incorporating a going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with poising screws, a blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, and an index regulator with micrometric screw.

A clear discrepancy appears between the auction text and the visual evidence: the catalog description states a '30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 12 o'clock)', whereas the photograph shows the subsidiary dials positioned at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock, with no subdial at 12 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement No. 2 124 450”
  • “Caliber 18'' gilded brass, with going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, index regulator with micrometric screw”
  • “30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 12 o'clock)”
  • “Subsidiary dials located at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions”

Open research questions

  • What specific Zenith movement caliber reference corresponds to movement number 2 124 450?
  • Why does the auction catalog describe the 30-minute recorder as being at 12 o'clock when the watch image clearly displays subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock?
  • Does direct physical examination of the uncased movement verify the presence of the described micrometric screw regulator and bimetallic balance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Zenith Hunting-Case Chronograph Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
BrandZenith“Brand Zenith”
Year1917“Year 1917”
Movement Number2 124 450“Movement No. 2 124 450”
Case Number4 848 378“Case No. 4 848 378”
Caliber18''' gilded brass“Caliber 18'' gilded brass”
DimensionsØ 52.5 mm“Dimensions Ø 52.5 mm.”
Complications1/5 second chronograph and telemetric scale“1/5 second chronograph (activated by the rectangular push-piece located on the case-band at 6 o'clock) and telemetric scale graduated for 1 000 meters”
EscapementStraight-line lever escapement“straight-line lever escapement”
Balance DetailsCut bimetallic balance with poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve“cut bimetallic balance with poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Arabic hour numerals and a concentric inner 24-hour track in red
  • Outer telemetric scale inscribed 'CALCULÉ PAR 1000 MÈTRES DE DISTANCE'
  • Open hunting-case cover hinged to the left side of the case
  • Winding crown and bow located at the 3 o'clock dial position
  • Rectangular chronograph pusher positioned on the case-band at 6 o'clock
  • Subsidiary dials located at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber and internal specifications rely entirely on source reporting as the movement is not visible in the photograph.
  • The auction text claims a '30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 12 o'clock)', but the image shows the chronograph minute subdial positioned at 3 o'clock.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ZENITH WATCH WITH TWO HOROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS, CHROMIUM PLATED | Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces. | Hong Kong, October 27th, 2018

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 84c51cb25d

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Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.