Cal 51.0





(c): Mars Mountain

ZENITH Quartz cal 51.0 (ESA 9181), ca 1973-1974. Features quickset day (in German) and date. The ESA 9181 was ETA:s first quartz movement. Quartz @ 32.768 Hz controlling a stepper motor. Seven jewels. It does not have sweep seconds as stated on other sites.

This Zenith XL-Tronic has refererence number 01.0010.515, square steel case and a somewhat scratched mineral crystal. At 41 mm wide (excl. crown) and 12,6 mm thick it is a massive chunk of stainless steel on the wrist.

Cal 18 1/2 N.V.




(c): Vultures78

ZENITH movement cal. 18 1/2 N.V. has been produced in September 1922. 18 1/2 is movements size measured in lignes. It is a 16 jewels caliber, vibrating 18,000 times per hour. Entire series of 18 1/2 movements was made in 925.270 pieces in period between 1905-1955.

This watch was made especially for Unions of Swiss banks 50 th anniversary. Nicely decorated in Niello technique engraving both on bezel and back. On the back of the case there is picture of Helvetias head, female personification of Switzerland. Very unique pocketwatch. Number of made examples is unknown. This is German version, and there is a French version as well.

Cal 177P



ZENITH movement cal. 177p, year 1941.
This watch has been produced in December 1941, and is fitted with a calibre 177p, an old mechanical movement made for pocket watches. Size of the movement is 17”’ and it beats with 18.000 A/h. This is an open face pocket watch made in Art-Deco style. Case is made of stainless steel. Dial has some age spots and patina, but have in mind that this is a 68 years old watch.

Life is in the movement

Zenith - Life is in the movement (2001) from Mars Mountain on Vimeo.

Swiss watchmakers since 1865: The luxury watchmaker from generation to generation. This is a video I got as a gift from the manufacturing company Zenith in 2001. Ripped from VHS. Copyright belongs to Zenith. LIFE IS IN THE MOVEMENT

Cal 106 P-6



(c): Mars Mountain

ZENITH 17 jewels hand wind movement cal. 106 P-6. Production date around 1945. This caliber differs from the base cal 106 in two ways: It has bevelled edges so it could be fitted in slimmer cases, and it has incabloc shock proofing.

This watch has a stainless steel case with a screw-on back. On the case back it reads antimagnetic, waterproof and the Swedish word stötsäker, meaning shock proof. It has an inner dust cover providing a magnetic shield and keeping the movement in place. The dial has aged well, it has it's spots but the lume is intact.

Cal 18-28-3-P




(c): Vultures78

ZENITH movement cal. 18-28-3-P (also called 18 1/2 N.V.III.) was manufactured in July 1938. It is an old mechanical movement, made especially for pocket watches in 13 900 units. Movement measures 18½”’, has sub second at 6, Breguet adjustment without automatic stem.

This open face pocket watch has pristine dial with Arabic numbers in black and 24h scale also in black. Golden and decorated hands are very common for Zenith’s pocket watches. There is a five pointed star on top of the crown. It measures 49mm, runs and keeps very good time. Case is made of 0,800 sterling silver and edge around dial and back is copper colored, which gives very nice touch to the watch. Inner case is nicely decorated with 2 gold and 4 silver medals.

Cal 50.0




(c):Vultures78

ZENITH XL-TRONIC has movement cal. 50.0, an electronically controlled tuning fork movement based on ESA 9162. It has sweep second hand, date quick set and electrical hack feature. It is a 13''' movement with 12 jewels beating at 300 Hz.

This model has been produced in 1.000 pieces between 1975 and 1976.

This tuning fork watch has 20 µm gold plated case and stainless steel back case. Gold colored dial and hands. Date is placed between 4 and 5. It “humms” very nicely and keeps very good time. Tuning fork watches were sort of transition between mechanical and quartz watches and are not produced anymore. They are rare findings and very hard to service, as spare parts are not made anymore. This particular watch was given to someone for 15 years of loyal work at Unger factory in Norway.