216 Zenith Extremely Rare and Preserved in New Old Stock Conditions, Captain de Luxe, Automatic Wristwatch in White Gold, Reference 8511

Estimate: €8,000 –⁠ 16,000

Sold (Premium)€14,300

Model: Captain de Luxe
Reference: 8511
Case Material: White Gold
Bracelet Material: White Gold
Year: 1960s
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 2542 PC
Case N°: 099D056
Movement N°: 06696323
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case

The foundation of Zenith dates back to 1865, in the Swiss city of Le Locle and during its long history of over a century it has been able to stand out for the great aesthetic and performative quality of its watches and for the great variety of models offered. The present example of Captain De Luxe is a vintage automatic watch with Chronometer certification. It features a stunning and somewhat special “space age” style 37 mm case in high polish finish. The case is lovingly referred to as “la Tortue” or the tortoise, since it somewhat resembles the domed shape of a turtle shell. This one is an extremely rare specimen manufactured in 18k white gold from the 1960s. Typically, this model is seen in stainless steel but absolutely rarely is offered in white gold such as the present lot. The watch is powered by Zenith-automatic high-grade caliber 2542PC. This rare “Captain” watch comes on the original 18k white-gold Zenith band. The two-body, solid case with screw down case back is preserved in new old-stock conditions with a super nice jubilee-style bracelet. The two tone silvered dial is remarkable with applied faceted square indexes, concentric minute/seconds divisions, date window between four and five o’clock, baton hands with black inlay.