Subtly reinterpreting an historical model, the Heritage 146 is a unique offering combining the best of the Manufacture’s past: design, history and true rarity.

As one of the first historical watchmakers to be organised as a full-fledged Manufacture, Zenith has a legacy of more than 150 years upon which to draw. It naturally celebrates this heritage by periodically relaunching some of its iconic vintage models.

Vintage design and a high-precision ‘engine’

The 1960s model was equipped with Calibre 146D featuring a balance-wheel oscillating at a rate of 18,000 vibrations/hour, ensuring a 38-hour power reserve and displays of the hours, minutes, with small seconds at 9 o’clock. Like the HODINKEE limited edition in 2016, the new Heritage 146 offers a chronograph with central sweep-seconds hand and 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, as well as a tachymetric scale. This two-counter dial without a date window reflects a configuration typical of 1960s chronographs.

The case of this exclusive edition now frames two dial options: tropical brown or blue sunray-patterned with rhodium-coated baton hands. However, its key difference lies in the fact that it beats to the lively rhythm of 36,000 vibrations per hour, dictated by the automatic high-beat El Primero Calibre 4069. Regulated and adjusted to meet chronometer standards, this 254-part column-wheel chronograph calibre – wound by an oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève” – drives an extremely accurate tenth-of-a-second display and has an over 50-hour power reserve. Its high-frequency mechanism is housed in a 38 mm-diameter vintage-style steel case that is water-resistant to 50 meters and features a fluted crown as well as two round pushers. The screw-down sapphire crystal caseback has an anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The final touch is set by a racing-style strapin a choice of brown or blue rubber-lined calfskin leather.

Vintage chronograph lovers are bound to find it irresistible!