Guide To Zenith And Movado Super Sub Sea Vintage Watch

History - Movado-Zenith-Mondia Holding Horloger SA was a federation of Swiss watch manufacturers active in the 1960s and 1970s. Bringing together three well-known luxury watch brands, each with their unique history and style.

This article serves as a guide to two of their vintage watch collections, the Zenith and Movado Super Sub Sea.

The Zenith brand has a rich history dating back to 1865 when it was founded by Georges Favre-Jacot in Le Locle, Switzerland. Favre-Jacot revolutionized the watchmaking industry by creating a workshop where all the watchmaking processes were carried out under one roof.

Zenith watches are known for their precision timekeeping and exceptional craftsmanship. The Super Sub Sea collection was first introduced in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity for its reliable performance, inter rotating bezel and sleek design.

Similarly, the Movado brand boasts a long-standing history of producing high-quality timepieces. Founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1881, Movado has become synonymous with modern, sophisticated design. The Super Sub Sea collection was first introduced in the 1960s and is known for its diving functionality and distinctively stylish appearance.

The Watches - Vintage watches are a beloved collector's item for many enthusiasts. Among them, the Zenith and Movado Super Sub Sea models are highly sought-after for their unique designs and exceptional craftsmanship. My personal favorite is the  Zenith Super Sub Sea A3736 and A3635. Chronograph and Time only version pictured.

These watches are more than mere timepieces; they are a symbol of the golden age of watchmaking, an era that defined the mechanical watch industry. In this guide, we take a closer look at the Zenith and Movado Super Sub Sea vintage watches, explore their origins, features and provide guidance on how to choose, maintain and appreciate these timeless treasures.

So, whether you're an avid collector or a curious watch enthusiast, read on to discover the beauty and history of these iconic timepieces. The Zenith Super Sub Sea watch was first introduced in the 1960s and quickly gained a following among divers and watch enthusiasts.

Zenith Caliber 146 HP Chronograph Movement

The Zenith 146 HP movement is a legendary piece of horology that has been admired by watch enthusiasts for decades. It is a high-precision movement that was first introduced in the 1960s and later became a mainstay of Zenith and Movado watches.

The movement was designed with the aim of achieving the highest possible accuracy, and it quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most reliable and precise movements on the market.

The Zenith 146 HP movement is equipped with 18,000 vibrations per hour, and it is a manually wound movement that features power reserve of up to 38 hours. The movement features 17 jewels and is equipped with a shock-protection system that ensures its longevity and durability.

Zenith acquired Martel Watch Company S.A. in 1960. Martel Watch Company developed and producing the Movements. They produced caliber 146 HP, along with the caliber 146 DP which is a 2 register version.

Zenith-Movado continued to use these calibers in the majority of their manually wound chronographs until the introduction of the first El Primero automatic chronograph movement. The famous Zenith caliber 3019 know as the ‘El Primero’ was developed in 1969. 

 The Zenith 146 HP movement is also notable for its high-precision escapement, which is designed to reduce friction and ensure optimal timekeeping accuracy. 

Today, the Zenith 146 HP movement is no longer produced, but it remains a treasured piece of horological history. Its legacy lives on in modern Zenith watches, which still feature high-precision movements that are designed to meet the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

For collectors and watch enthusiasts, the Zenith 146 HP movement is a true icon of the industry, and a reminder of the endless possibilities of precision engineering in watchmaking. It is among one of my favorites' with Valjoux 88, Valjoux 72, and Omega 321 Movement. 

Movado Super Sub Sea 500

At first glance - you might think that this is a Zenith Super Sub Sea reference A277. Given that it looks almost identical to the Movado Super Sub-Sea. They were both manufactured at the end of the 1960s when the two brands worked closely together.

As a result this Movado houses a chronograph movement from Zenith, the caliber 146 HP seen above, from a Martel ebauche. It comes with a large compressor case whose water resistance justifies the Super Sub-Sea reference name.

Its sheer 41 mm size makes it quite wearable on the wrist, while the reverse panda dial and the external bezel are very legible. This Sub-Sea gets a high score on both functionality and looks, the type of combo that I love.

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