This rare, gold doctor’s pocket heart rate monitor chronograph is a sophisticated watch with a built-in stopwatch and a special scale for measuring the patient’s pulse. At one time, this was an expensive accessory for any successful doctor – the device is made according to the highest level of Swiss quality. You can see from the mark on the dust cover that the model won the Grand Prix at the Paris exhibition of 1900. This is a great gift and a great investment, especially given the growing interest of collectors in vintage chronographs of top Swiss brands. Specially medical chronographs are even less common than the classic ones, so this copy is a godsend for any collection. The watch has almost no wear, is technically near to perfection, and is fully functional and ready for use on a daily basis.
Key Features
The pulse is measured in 30 beats. One must put two fingers on the pulse while simultaneously pressing the button on the crown of the watch to turn on the chronograph hand. After 30 beats, press the button a second time – the arrow will stop and point to the patient’s pulse value.
This sophisticated chronograph movement (a watch with a built-in stopwatch) is made according to the highest class. Have a look at the photos and compare the movement with a regular watch. Here, there are many steel levers, all with polished chamfers, jewels in the bezels, and a balance with a patented Zenith micro-regulator for precision. Everything is original, all parts are signed with the company label (the dial, the case, and the movement). According to the Zenith Serial Number Catalogue, the serial number of the mechanism indicates that it was manufactured in 1915.
About the Brand
The ‘Fabrique des Billodes’ was founded in 1865 in Le Locle by Georges Favre-Jacot. The company first produced precision pocket watches signed with his name. However, not long after 1900 the company expanded their product line and underwent a name change. The new company name, Zenith, refers to the highest point of the universe: the zenith.
Zenith truly rose to popularity due to its creation of The El Primero calibre in 1969, which at the time was the first high frequency automatic chronograph movement. However, the current owners of the brand decided to abandon the idea of a mechanical chronograph and focus on Quartz timepieces in 1975. Amazingly, Charles Vermot, one of the original watchmakers who worked on the movement, gathered all the necessary technical plans and tools for the brilliant calibre, and hiding them in a walled-off attic at the Zenith manufacture to protect the El Primero for future generations.
Zenith watches have been owned by many notable figures, including none other than Ghandi. His silver pocket watch, gifted to him by his friend Jawaharlal_Nehru, India’s Prime Minister, became one of his rare few material possessions and accompanied his daily life, notably signalling his prayer due to its alarm function.
Zenith was purchased by LVMH in November 1999, becoming one of several brands in its watch and jewellery division that included TAG Heuer and Hublot. They still create stunning, high-quality timepieces to this day.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly in our Bristol workshop. There is a 6-month warranty on the accurate functioning of the mechanism, as long as usage and care guidelines are followed correctly.
Overview
Body: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (9/10 near perfect)
Watch face: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (10/10 like new)
Mechanism: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (10/10 like new)
Accuracy: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (10/10 like new)
Case and Strap
- Classical shaped pocket watch.
- 14 Karat gold.
- Gold inner cover with exhibition medals, brand signatures, markings “Grand Prix 1900-Medaille d’or Geneve 1896 – 18 rubis – Chronographe de precision – Zenith”.
- Guilloché and monogram shield on lid.
- Slightly front convex mineral crystal.
- Vintage shaped gilt crown.
- Not water-resistant.
Dimensions:
- Case diameter 51 mm.
- Ring height 72 mm.
Dial and Hands
- Original white enamel dial.
- Black Arabic numerals.
- 5-minute scale.
- “Zenith” signature at centre.
- Pulsometric scale on outer contour with “GRADEUE POUR 30 PULSATIONS” signature.
- Chronograph minute counter subdial at numeral 12.
- Small second subdial at numeral 6.
- Gold-plated ‘spade’ style hour, minute and seconds hands.
- Blued chronograph and counter hands.
- Perfectly preserved enamel without any previous restorations.
Movement
- Swiss-made movement.
- Anchor escapement.
- 18 jewels.
- Bimetallic thermocompensated balance with adjusting screws.
- Breguet balance spring.
- Micro-controller with accuracy snail.
- “Zenith” signature.
- Gilt plates and bridges.
- Satin-brushed wheels, screws and levers.
Testing Results
- Accuracy within 30 seconds per day.
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop.
- Mechanics in full working order – has passed preventative maintenance and testing.
- 6-month warranty.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
Links and Resources:
Zenith Pocket Chronograph with Similar Movement.
Zenith Official Website Brand History.
