1960s Zenith Date Silver Dial Manual Cal. 2562C 36mm

Here we have a 1960s Zenith Date Silver Dial Manual Cal. 2562C with a 36mm stainless steel round case that comfortably sits on your wrist, thanks to the angled flat-ended lugs. Its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 42mm and a case thickness of 9mm. On the right side, there is a signed coin-edged crown sitting slightly recessed into the case. A smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above a sunburst silver dial. An outer minute track has Tritium pips surrounding applied slender facet baton indexes marking the hours, that magically play with the light as you rotate your wrist. At 4.30, we have a framed date window. Slim steel baton hands filled with black paint and Tritium are complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand. At noon, we have the applied Zenith Star motif completing this sophisticated dress watch. On the reverse, a solid screw-down case back, inside a manually wound Zenith Cal. 2562C, 17 jewels, beating at 28,800 beats per hour. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm vintage-style leather strap and a signed Zenith pin buckle.

This watch is sold as “Watch Only” and therefore comes without its original Zenith box or original paperwork. It comes paired with a well-suited 18mm vintage-style strap and Zenith signed pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1960s and is sold in worn vintage condition, but overall, it is in very good vintage condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

Clean, classic and perfect on the wrist, Zenith knew what they were doing in the 1960s, and this is the perfect example of that. The crisp and sharp 36mm case wears effortlessly and is powered by the wonderful Zenith calibre 2562C. Pair it down with a brown strap like this, it is a great 't-shirt & jeans' watch, but switch it up to a glossy black strap and you have yourself a great dress watch for those fancy occasions. I would snap this up and add it to your collection today, whilst you can!

Reference : 1209-4 SP
Movement : Manually Wound Zenith Cal. 2562C
Age : Circa. 1960s
Year : Circa. 1960s
Case Size : 36mm
Case Thickness : 9mm
Lug to Lug : 42mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
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 reissue 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.