Tim_M
1481
It's Possible....
... that by "continuous production" the press material only inteded to express "continuous assembly."
There could be a subtle change in the meaning that is purely an accident of the French-English translation process. "Continuous production" suggests material is "continuously" "produced" while "continuous assembly" only expresses ongoing construction from parts; it's neutral regarding the age or origin of the parts involved.
Regardless, this Type 20 almost nails my suggestion from the Basel "wish list" thread we created a few weeks ago! I had hoped to see an haute-de-gamme time-only watch that embodied exquisite finishing techniques and served as a showcase for the manufacture's breadth of competence beyond chronographs.
I feel like we sort of got that, albeit in a very unconventional form. Now all Zenith needs is an Elite-based answer to something like a VC Patrimony Traditionnelle or a three-hand Patek Calatrava.
Really looking forward to the show- bring it, Zenith!
Best,
Tim
BaselWorld 2014 - Zenith novelties preview
Only a few days until the largest watch exhibition opens its doors - and I am already able to provide you with a preview on this year's novelties presented by Zenith. Zenith plays on several levels here - complications, technology, history and craftsmansh...
Thanks for the preview, Magnus. I am a bit perplex with the Pilot.
The blend of sapphire with old elements is somehow disturbing. The dia looks extremely appealing, though... Don't know what to think... Best, Nicolas
Don't know what to think... - let's see it in the metal first, however...
I can understand the rationale of using the largest watch in the stable to showcase some handicraft art! Whether the result is a congruent œvre is a different question and can only be answered - in a few days! Cheers, Magnus
I would kill for such a piece
and I mean it …. so hide LOL Seriously, I love such an engraved case. First time I thought about it was about 2 years ago. I almost bought a Panerai with aftermarket engraving from Kindler & Thorpe At the end I didn't because I was not sure it I wante...
Mixed emotions
Thanks for this Magnus, This is the second LE Lightweight to be released, the first being limited to 100 pieces. And for the Type 20 Grand Feu, well in my opinion they should have made it a pocket watch. The 2012 Type 20 Specials were pushing the limit at...
Dean, don't worry about the extra LE , more info here
In 1960 the Manufacture produced a movement that would make its mark on history: Calibre 5011K . Beating every existing precision record in its category – Neuchâtel Observatory awarded it the title of the most precise chronometer ever presented – this mec...
Exactly Bruno
The information from the press releases are inconsistent. From the 2012 press release : it contains the famous 5011 pocket calibre that was so successful for Zenith in the 1960s – and in 1967 was named the most accurate chronometer ever tested by the Neuc...
Without an official word (yet) we can only speculate... perhaps...
both are correct: the 'regular' Type 20 uses production movements, whereas the Type 20 Grand Feu indeed is powered by historical movements of the same type? Who knows? I have requested clarification on this. Stay tuned, Magnus
Exactly the same movement
Thanks Magnus, But the movement's used in the 2012 Type 20 Specials and the new Type 20 Grand Feu are identical down to the finishing and quoted specifications. Picture of mine: Looking forward to their response. Dean ...
I'm pretty sure they are all old stock
and I am sure they still have a few left They never said they ONLY had 325 pieces ( 250 titanium and 75 red gold) I would expect they had something like 400 or 500 or so left. Kept a few for replacement parts and probably a few extra for future ultra rare...
I don't want to hark on but
Why would they say in the 2012 press release " The calibre has been in continuous production since then and has been used in competition timepieces, marine chronometers, pocket watches, and watchmaking school watches"? One respected watch journalist has a...
It IS old Stock Dean
Look at your watches and look for the serial number on the movement or on the COSC certificate mine for example is 7.15X.XXX now, a sentence in a press release that might disturb some people is this The calibre has been in continuous production since then...
Hey great news
You are completely right, our movements are old stock. My serial numbers are also 715XXXX, and I just checked the COSC Certificate of a Deck Chronometer from 1993, and it had a serial number for the 5011 just 500 numbers apart from mine. Great research Br...
The 5011 K movements ARE indeed Vintage / NOS
I did the same check on my movement number (I own a Type 20 Zegg & Cerlati Edition) - 7,15X,XXX COSC dated 2012 and checked with another Watchuseek forum member who owns a Pocket Watch with the 5011 movement and his COSC Certificate is dated 1990 and his ...
Further information
According to Rössler, Zenith produced 5,400 of these movements between 1960 and 2002, including 2,300 shipped to Ulysse Nardin for use in marine chronometers. Dean
yup
and Mr Rössler probably made the same mistake. I know these pocket watches were still in the catalog in 2002 but saying the movement is still in production is imo wrong. It were movements made in the past , put in a new pocket watch , so the pocket watch ...
Outstanding Bruno, thanks for digging that out! Maybe...
its similar to Minerva who basically lived from assembling movement kits they produced decades ago... Cheers, Magnus
Maybe you should ask Panerai. They used to find NOS movements in their drawers,
Some year ago... :) :) :) Best, Nicolas
Here we go again! Another beautiful Type 20….
Iam in love with this one and being a limited edition of 10 pieces it will be a tough one to get one allocated…I think it will be an expensive piece though! Ovi
It's Possible....
... that by "continuous production" the press material only inteded to express "continuous assembly." There could be a subtle change in the meaning that is purely an accident of the French-English translation process. "Continuous production" suggests mate...