Original Zenith Chronograph a Retour Reverso, rotating bezel with arrow index, bomb drop stopwatch, Luftwaffe, World War II, from - according to Konrad Knirim - circa 1933
This extremely rare piece of (military) watch history features a unique complication: it runs forwards and backwards (see detailed description Konrad Knirim "military time pieces", page 155)
The bombardier could thus calculate both the current flight time and precisely the time remaining until reaching the target location, counting backwards.
Very, very few of these very special pilot's watches have survived.
Description:
Zenith bomb drop stopwatch for the Reichswaffe, “Chronographe a Retour”
Central stop-seconds hand, gilt anchor movement with monometallic ring balance and flat hairspring, stop function via column wheel, 1930s, case diameter: 46 mm (rotating bezel), snap-on case back, rotating "Zenith" signed bezel with arrow index
The movement is engraved with various numbers that may indicate the caliber: 677 + 312
Dial signed "Chronographe a Retour", rotating bezel "Zenith", fitted with a modern, very high-quality genuine leather under-strap.
Literature: Konrad Knirim, Military Watches, page 155; even Konrad Knirim cannot identify the manufacturer of the movement.
This extremely rare piece of military watch history starts and runs (accuracy not tested)
EZ 1-2: Excellent condition for its age, few visible signs of age or use, runs perfectly, unrestored, flawless dial, rotating bezel functions, lid flush, starts and runs smoothly
