872. A very attractive and fine stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, tachymeter scale and guarantee

Zenith，「El Primero」型號SP 1301，非常精細，精鋼自動計時鏈帶腕錶， 備日期顯示，約1970年製。附原裝證書

Manufacturer Zenith

Year Circa 1970

Reference No. SP 1301

Case No 7’08D’333

Model Name El Primero

Material Stainless steel

Calibre Automatic, cal. 3019PHC, 31 jewels

Bracelet/Strap Crocodile

Clasp/Buckle Stainless steel pin buckle

Dimensions 37mm diameter

Signed Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate

HKD 40,000-80,000 Σ

USD 5,100-10,300

Accessories

Accompanied by Zenith international guarantee dated 15th August 1970, and instruction manual.

The Zenith El Primero was introduced in 1969 as the world’s first highfrequency automatic chronograph. It was a revolution for the watch industry as the cal. 3019PHC was designed as a fully integrated chronograph movement, rather than being an automatic movement with an added chronograph module. Operating at 36,000 VPH, the movement is superbly reliable and later became the basis for Rolex’s cal. 4030, used in early self-winding Daytona watches.

The present ref. SP 1301 from circa 1970 is an early production El Primero and features a tonneau shaped case, giving the timepiece a sculptural presence. The dial has aged beautifully while maintaining its original black sub-registers and tachymeter scale contrasted against a matte white dial. The timepiece is preserved in very good condition and is a rare opportunity to collect one of the earliest automatic chronographs introduced to the world.

ZENITH El Primero

愛彼，「Royal Oak“A Series”」型號5402，精細罕有，精鋼自動鏈帶腕錶， 備藍色錶盤、日期顯示，約1972年製。附原裝證書

Manufacturer Audemars Piguet

Year Circa 1972

Reference No. 5402

Movement No. 127’623

Case No. A 417

Model Name Royal Oak “A Series”

Material Stainless steel

Calibre Automatic, cal. 2121, 36 jewels

Bracelet/Strap Stainless steel Audemars Piguet Gay Freres bracelet, max length 185mm

Clasp/Buckle Stainless steel Audemars Piguet deployant clasp

Dimensions 39mm diameter

Signed Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate

HKD 400,000-630,000

USD 51,300-80,800

Accessories

Accompanied by Audemars Piguet certificate stamped Daimaru Kobe Japan dated 6th July 1973, service invoice, additional crown, associated presentation box and outer packaging.

Property from a Japanese Collector 日本私人收藏

Audemars Piguet’s introduction of the Royal Oak marked the beginning of the luxury sports watch market we know today. Launched in 1972 at Basel Fair, it caused an immediate sensation as the watch industry had never seen anything comparable before. It was at the time the most expensive steel wristwatch available. It most notably housed the extra slim caliber 2121 based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 920, that would later be found in the Nautilus wristwatch. Today, the Royal Oak remains as iconic as ever, with early examples being exceedingly popular and collectible.

Production of the reference 5402 spanned 25 years, with a total of 6,050 examples manufactured, in four different batches: A, B, C and D with small design details that made each slightly different. Within the A series, approximately 2,000 examples were made between 1972 until 1974.

Known as the “A Series”, the present watch is the original Royal Oak model first debuted in 1972. Offered in a well-preserved condition with strong case and sharp bezel, the present “A series” Royal Oak is an astonishing specimen that features all period correct components. Beautifully aged with luminous material that has developed a dark yellow hue, the blue dial with the applied “AP” logo at 6 o’clock with SWISS only inscription has aged with slight copper tropical details near the applied indexes. The Gay Freres bracelet not only displays sharp finishes, it is also stamped with “1.72” on the clasp indicating it is from first quarter of 1972. Accompanied with its original certificate, the timepiece was sold in Japan in 1973. A wonderful specimen of an icon in all aspects, the present reference 5402 “A Series” is a spectacular example thanks to its state of preservation.