Zenith HERITAGE CRONOMETRO TIPO CP 2

Zenith delights aficionados with the Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2

When the Italian army selected Zenith in the early sixties as the official timekeeper for adorning the wrists of its Marine and Aircraft pilots, it secured the success of 2,500 examples of the TIPO CP-2 military chronograph, a model hotly pursued by collectors to this day.

By Joel Grandjean
Editor-in-Chief

Not content with the reliable 43 mm diameter time-measurement device (already thought to provide optimum legibility) aboard their reputedly dangerous Lockheed F104 Starfighter-bomber, American pilots took to wearing them about town...

In October 2016, the Le Locle workshop took the idea further. Among the iconic treasures chosen to highlight its legacy, the brand produced a loyal tribute to the original timepiece. Deemed large for the time at a diameter of 43 mm, the aesthetics have nevertheless been preserved intact. The 2016 limited edition numbers just 1000 pieces.

The original Zenith DP 146 calibre has been replaced by another of the workshop's leading calibres, the El Primero, beating at a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour and boasting 50 hours' power reserve. Together, they have been dubbed the Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2.

In the next few hours, an example should be winging its way the editor's desk for a wrist-drive. Note to enthusiasts: watch this space for the full illustrated story on watchonista.com.

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History as legacy: Zenith reissues the famous 1960s A. Cairelli model

By Benjamin TeisseireContributor
To the great delight of collectors, The Manufacture from Le Locle has revived its old tradition of military watches with the new Zenith Heritage Cronometro...

Pilot Collection - "Cronometro Tipo CP-2" by Zenith