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• Auction House:
  Gibson's Auctioneers & Valuers
• Sale Name:
  Estate & Collector
• Sale Date:
  14 Oct 2018 ~ 10.30am (AEST)
• Lot #:
  388
• Lot Description:
  A Zenith Pilot wristwatch, Swiss, circa 1930
  15 jewel movement, black dial with luminous numerals and hands, subsidiary seconds at 6, rotating bezel with marker, 41mm diameter base metal case, engraved with EW on back
• Notes:
  “I am very satisfied with the Zenith watch, which I usually use, and I cannot recommend it too highly to people who are looking for precision”, said Louis Blériot on March 19, 1912. (https://monochrome-watches.com/history-of-the-pilot-watch-part-ii-zenith-montre-daeronef-type-20/). Zenith started making pilot’s watches in the infancy of aviation when planes were made of wire and fabric. When French aviator Louis Blériot became the first man to fly across the English Channel in 1909, he had on his wrist a Zenith pilot’s watch, beginning the brand’s long history as a maker of aviation timepieces and instruments. Blériot’s wristwatch was typical of pilot’s watches of the era. It had a chrome-plated case with fixed lugs, a black enamel dial with large Arabic numerals and cathedral hands. Another distinguishing feature was the large onion-shaped crown sitting on an elongated set for easy adjustment while wearing gloves. The pilot’s watch story probably originates with Zenith, and their watch made for Louis Bleriot. On 25 July 1909, Bleriot made his epic crossing of the English Channel from Calais to Dover, wearing a watch made by Zenith:A
• Estimate:
  A$2,500 - 3,500
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Clocks & Watches

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.