1950s Zenith 'Stellina' 18ct Pink Gold 37mm Oversized 156 D

We have here a stunning example of a 1950s Zenith 'Stellina' 156 D. Its oversized for the time 37mm 18ct Pink Gold round case features finely tapered lugs. You can be sure of a comfortable fit on the wrist at 44.5mm lug-to-lug length and a thickness of 10.5mm. Rectangular pushers and a large crown sit on the right side. The case has a refinement that shouts out quality. The domed crystal sits proudly above the white dial. An outer Tachymetre is printed in black; the inner minute track is precisely executed, surrounding “12” and “6” Arabic numerals with elegant applied chamfered edge pink gold baton indexes to mark the hours, at 3 o’clock a 45-minute register and at 9 o’clock the continuous seconds register, each slightly recessed with a concentric circular pattern. This combination provides excellent symmetry to the watch. Delicate pink gold dauphine hands and a teardrop counterweighted chronograph seconds hand finish the dial with an understated sophistication that Zenith is famous for. On the reverse, there is a plain snap-on case back, inside a manually wound Zenith Cal. 156D, 17 jewels, 18,000 beats per hour. It is paired with a well-suited 19mm brown leather strap.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and, therefore, comes with no Zenith box or paperwork. It is paired with a well-suited 19mm brown leather strap. The watch is from the Circa 1950s and is sold in worn vintage condition, but overall, it is in very fair condition for its age. As you can see, it has a later Zenith signed crown, a lovely patina on the dial and wear to the Tachymeter. The watch comes with our 12-Month Non-Waterproof Warranty.

I find it incredible that this Zenith 'Stellina' in 18ct Pink Gold can be picked up for cheaper than a lot of vintage Zenith chronographs in Steel. With this reference, you are getting yourself an oversized 37mm case, powered by the impressive manually wound Zenith cal. 156 D, and featuring a wonderful, subtle patina on the dial. If you have wanted to add a vintage chronograph to your collection, I would suggest considering this great gem, for under £2,500, it is hard to beat!

Reference : Stellina
Movement : Manually Wound Zenith Cal. 156 D
Age : Circa. 1950s
Year : Circa. 1950s
Case Size : 37mm
Case Thickness : 10.5mm
Lug to Lug : 44.5mm
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : 18ct Pink Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Zenith was established in 1865 by the ambitious 22-year-old watchmaking prodigy Georges Favre-Jacot. The company established its manufacturing base in Le Locle, a picturesque town in the Swiss Jura Mountains known for its rich horological heritage. The brand gained international recognition in 1909 when the pioneering French aviator Louis Blériot wore a Zenith watch during his historic flight across the English Channel, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. Zenith's watches have adorned the wrists of remarkable adventurers, including the legendary Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. He made history by being the first person to reach both the South Pole in 1911 and the North Pole in 1926. As the company approached its centennial celebration in 1965, Zenith’s designers sought to confront the most challenging technological hurdle facing the watch industry: the creation of a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement. Their efforts culminated in the development of the legendary El Primero movement, which was released in 1969. The El Primero, known for its high-frequency escapement and remarkable accuracy, went into production in 1975 and saw a re-issue in 1986. However, the 1960s were turbulent for Zenith due to ongoing litigation regarding naming rights. To navigate through these challenges, the Zenith watch company merged in 1968 with Movado, another respected Swiss brand. This strategic alliance allowed Zenith to leverage Movado’s extensive distribution networks in the United States and stabilise its presence in the market. In 1971, the Zenith Radio Company, which had previously been in conflict with its Swiss counterpart, opted to buy Zenith Watch Company, effectively uniting two entities under the same brand during a challenging period known as the Quartz Crisis. In 1975, Zenith's leadership made the drastic decision to transition entirely to quartz watch production, marking a significant shift in their manufacturing philosophy. This included the controversial decision to destroy all mechanical watch components and blueprints, including those related to the historical El Primero movement. However, thanks to the courageous actions of Charles Vermot, a senior engineer in Zenith’s movement-making department, the company's rich mechanical heritage was saved. Together with a small group of loyal colleagues, Vermot secretly hid the El Primero blueprints and parts in a concealed attic at the factory, preserving them for potential future use amidst the pervasive quartz trend. Vermot’s foresight bore fruit in the 1980s as the market shifted back toward mechanical watches. Prominent brands like Ebel and Rolex reintroduced mechanical chronograph styles, paving the way for Zenith’s revival. The carefully safeguarded El Primero re-emerged as the driving force behind Rolex's hugely successful Daytona series. In 1978, Zenith was acquired from Zenith Radio Company, which is now part of LG Electronics, by Dixi, a company specialising in machine tools based in Le Locle. This transition marked a new chapter for Zenith, which began reintroducing its El Primero-equipped chronograph watches to meet the rising demand for high-end mechanical timepieces. In 1999, Zenith became part of the prestigious LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) group, aligning itself with other luxury brands such as TAG Heuer and Hublot. Even today, Zenith stands out as one of the few Swiss manufacturers that not only produces mechanical watches but also crafts its own movements.