Compur, Compax and Mr Jeanneret

Woops · Jul 28, 2022

bgrisso
I think it's very interesting that we have an example of two different references and case sizes but identical case style. The 12420 is just under 35mm and housing the cal 285 and the 12510 is just over 37mm and housing the cal 287.

Do we have any other known examples like this, with the same case design and manufacturer but in two different sizes?

I have also been wondering about this and think it would be a fascinating area of research, probably deserving of its own thread.

Niche references like the Climate-Proof Compaxes were also offered in specialist 35mm and 37mm cases though I couldn't say for certain these cases are identical without a deeper dive. Off the top of my head, I reckon the early Aeros and the Polerouter family would also be good places to check for identical cases in difference sizes but I'll defer to the experts on these models.

DanT · Nov 22, 2023

@Woops I recently bought this Zenith Compax, and I was very taken with the sharp lines and facets of the lugs - looks similar to the Henri Jeanneret ones pictured here, but in steel. There is no 'hammer' 166 hallmark stamped on the inner caseback, I presume this was a gold hallmark - this just has Zenith Enversteel.
On close inspection the side facets on these lugs are not quite as large as UGs posted here - so I may be mistaken in thinking this case might also be the work of Mr Jeanneret.

Woops · Nov 24, 2023

DanT
@Woops I recently bought this Zenith Compax, and I was very taken with the sharp lines and facets of the lugs - looks similar to the Henri Jeanneret ones pictured here, but in steel. There is no 'hammer' 166 hallmark stamped on the inner caseback, I presume this was a gold hallmark - this just has Zenith Enversteel.
On close inspection the side facets on these lugs are not quite as large as UGs posted here - so I may be mistaken in thinking this case might also be the work of Mr Jeanneret.

I am not sure of any Jeanneret connection either. In UG I have never seen his trademark faceted-lug-cases in steel and catalogues from the time only have this case style available in gold.
The case of your watch reminds me a little of the steel Spillmanns which are also beloved from this era. It’s a beauty! 🥰

DanT · Nov 24, 2023

Woops
I am not sure of any Jeanneret connection either. In UG I have never seen his trademark faceted-lug-cases in steel and catalogues from the time only have this case style available in gold.
The case of your watch reminds me a little of the steel Spillmanns which are also beloved from this era. It’s a beauty! 🥰

Thanks @Woops I appreciate your kind words about my Zenith and thoughts on this interesting subject. I have commented on another thread and uploaded the same pics of my Zenith - just to add to the discussion, apologies for repeating myself. Thanks again for starting this thread

bgrisso · Nov 24, 2023

DanT
@Woops I recently bought this Zenith Compax, and I was very taken with the sharp lines and facets of the lugs - looks similar to the Henri Jeanneret ones pictured here, but in steel. There is no 'hammer' 166 hallmark stamped on the inner caseback, I presume this was a gold hallmark - this just has Zenith Enversteel.
On close inspection the side facets on these lugs are not quite as large as UGs posted here - so I may be mistaken in thinking this case might also be the work of Mr Jeanneret.

Beautiful case, looks like the same as reference 22508 for UG

DanT · Nov 24, 2023

bgrisso
Beautiful case, looks like the same as reference 22508 for UG

@bgrisso thanks very much for your thoughts - a good shout, a quick Google on that UG Ref brought up this beauty from a Christie's auction, there are indeed similarities with the case and dial with my Zenith - although not the price

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5993028

cheers - Dan

bgrisso · Nov 24, 2023

Actually both 22508 and 22505 look pretty similar from the archives pics, hard to tell, but I'm guessing it's the same as one of those:

https://universalgeneve.info/chronographs/287-12201.html

https://universalgeneve.info/chronographs/286-12201.html

DanT · Nov 26, 2023

bgrisso
Actually both 22508 and 22505 look pretty similar from the archives pics, hard to tell, but I'm guessing it's the same as one of those:

https://universalgeneve.info/chronographs/287-12201.html

https://universalgeneve.info/chronographs/286-12201.html

@bgrisso thanks again - these catalogue images are very interesting and the similarities are striking. I've been corresponding with some of the guys on the Zenith forum on WatchUSeek and I hadn't realised UG and Zenith used the same reference and serial numbers - the partnership between the two was obviously very strong indeed.

Mark020 · Nov 26, 2023

That was me 😁