After a stint at Phillips in New York, the Zenith Master of Chronographs exhibition made its way to Los Angeles a few weeks back. Housed in Westime?s stunning new space overlooking Rodeo Drive, the exhibition serves as an interactive timeline of the brand?s rich history of chronographs stretching from the early 1900s to current day. Naturally, the history nerd within took hold and I was totally captivated by the prospect of seeing these historic and vintages watches without protective glass in between. If you weren?t able to catch the show, then fret not as I spent some time with, and photographed, these truly historic Zenith chronographs.

I was immediately drawn to a longtime favorite diving chronograph from the late 1960s that just exudes effortless and timeless design. The A277 was among the last of Zenith?s manual-wind chronographs and was only produced between 1968-1970. Of course, the launch of the El Primero in 1969 was the brand?s focus at the time so it?s not a surprise the A277 had such a brief lifespan. Details like the reverse panda dial and original Gay Frères ladder bracelet underscore the unique wabi-sabi made possible only by time?s natural patina.
Is it trite to ask for a reissue of this one" I’d ordinarily be wary of how much is lost in translation but Zenith’s track record of reissues has so far been stellar. 

The A3736 is another ?Super Sub Sea? diving chrono from this era that?s a little quirkier with its internal...