Zenith

The so-called Zenith Kennedy Watch

 

JFK.

These three letters are known worldwide

and represent one of most know and charismatic

world leaders of modern history the 35^th President of USA

the John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy

Born May 29, 1917 assassinated November 22, 1963.

His cowardly assassination is still one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of all times.

Also, JFK was one of the icons of 20th century.

He was known as great speaker, just to name few legendary speeches,

the West Berlin speech

and American University speech

and we watch lovers must thank him for Space program

resulting among many other things in cult watch Omega Speedmaster

and also legendary speech Announcement to go to the moon.

But this story is story of another watch.

The volume of his brief presidency is best summoned by his wife also fashion icon of that time among other things Jacqueline:

“Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot.
"There'll be great presidents again ... but there will never be another Camelot."

— Jacqueline Kennedy

JFK was also known as bon vivant and what more could be said after Marylin Monroe sing you Happy Birthday that way.

Now watch industry loves ambassadors and icons that can and are strongly connected with them.

One of such connections seems to be between Zenith and Kennedy

but what we do know for sure is that JFK wore Bulova, Omega and Cartier watch.

JFK wore Ultra-Thin Omega Ref. OT3980 at his inauguration in 1961

Watch was gift from his friend Florida senator Grant Stockdale.

Watch is now at the Omega Museum, in Bienne. Omega purchased it in 2005 on auction for 350 000 USD.

More about that particular watch you can read here

www.omegawatches.com

Second watch that was on wrist of JFK for sure is gift from his wife Jackie for their fourth wedding anniversary in 1957.

It was and Cartier watch. Allegedly JFK was wearing this watch when he was assassinated in 1963.

The jury is still out there if JFK ever wore and owned Rolex Day-Date aka President

purportedly gifted to him by no other than Marylin Monroe…if we look at serial number of that watch

it was produced in 1965 so 2 years after JFK was murdered.

Let’s now take a closer look into Zenith since we all know about Vintage 1965 also known as Kennedy Zenith.

First thing that pops up ...again... is year, 1965 which is very strange since Kennedy was not alive that year.

If we speak about Zenith's model Respirator as "Kennedy", then we are in trouble again cos that

series started its production in 1968, luckily Zenith made square watches long before 1960.

Actually, Respirator models are essentially the same as the "Kennedy" square model with added water proof ability.

Here’s one old post with Repirators inside

www.watchprosite.com

and some more from master Nilo

www.watchprosite.com

So if we want to call some Zenith „Kennedy“ then we have to IMO regarding correct age find:       

       - square model

       - with date between 4 and 5

       - production before 1963

The earliest appearance of square model with automatic movement (2532PC) and date between 4 and 5 o'clock is in 1963/64

so I think we should look even further in past before ill fated 1963. If we go further, we find square Zenith watches that go in

line with above 3 mentioned requirements but we find hand-wound movement in them.

If we look at catalog of that time his name is Piccadilly.

(photo courtesy of blomman aka Mr. Blue)

In the end of this lengthy post and intro I wanted to share something with you

I was lucky enough to find this fine specimen

Something that can be regarding age and looks considered as the Zenith Kennedy

So let’s see what makes this little fellow tick

It is Zenith manual wind sweep second 2532C caliber

with excenter regulator
Kif-Duofix combined settings for escapement wheel

19 jewels frquency of 21600 A/h
and power reserve of 49h

In the end jury is still out there if Kennedy ever had Zenith but it he had one than it gotta be Picadilly

Of course, just my musings and I stand to be corrected by all means

important is that Mr. Green is very happy with his latest Zenith.

And presence on wrist is so 60ies.

Ah and yes

“No watch is complete without correct buckle”

– blomman aka Mr. Blue

Yours

D