Zenith’s tribute to the legendary TIPO CP-2
To celebrate the iconic TIPO CP-2, Zenith is launching the Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2, the latest addition to the Heritage collection
In recent years, the 2,500 units of the historic TIPO CP-2, produced by Zenith in the 1960s for the Italian armed forces, have been fetching sky-high prices on the vintage market. Paying tribute to one of the historical treasures of the Manufacture in Le Locle, Zenith has now launched a modern version entirely in tune with the spirit and design of the original.
From the early 1960s onwards, the Italian military chose to equip the pilots of its Navy and Air Force with Zenith watches. The Rome-based distributor “A. Cairelli” handled delivery of the 2,500 chronographs to the Marina Militare and the Aeronautica Militare Italiana. These timepieces were still being worn by pilots of the U.S. Lockheed F104 Starfighter aircraft in the late 1970s.
The military chronograph code-named TIPO CP-2 featured two counters in its initial version and its 43 MM diameter ensured a degree of legibility that was essential for pilots. The Zenith Calibre DP 146 powering this top-flight instrument was a token of reliability that proved a determining factor in the precision of the missions on which it served.
An eminently useful piece of back-up equipment complementing the on-board instruments installed in the cockpit, the Zenith chronograph rarely left pilots’ wrists, even when they were not on missions, thus exemplifying the powerful ties between each wearer and his timepiece.
In light of aficionados’ tireless enthusiasm for this exceptional timepiece, the Manufacture Zenith is now issuing a new 1,000-piece limited series of its historic chronograph. This time around, it houses the famous Zenith El Primero movement, which beats to the rhythm of 36,000 vibrations per hour.
Entirely respectful of its predecessor’s spirit and characteristics, this new version of the chronograph also brings the convenience of automatic winding with a 50-hour power reserve.
Nothing is missing from its impressive range of assets: Its hands are designed to ensure perfect readability even in tough conditions; its bezel enables reliable and accurate handling, and its easily accessible and responsive pushers testify to impeccable compliance with the high standards of technical specifications imposed by the military.
Of the original 2,500 units delivered by the Manufacture to its Italian distributor, some were kept in reserve and never actually used. This explains why some of these watches do not bear the letters MM (Marina Militare) or AMI (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) alongside a serial number and the TIPO CP-2 reference that was engraved on the back of the timepieces that were taken aboard planes.
The Lockheed F104 Starfighter planes were known to be dangerous, and pilots were doubtless glad to keep these reassuring chronographs with them. All models were delivered with chronometer-worthy precision timing as specified by the Italian Air Force. Zenith’s TIPO CP-2 chronographs remained on the wrists of Italian pilots until the late 1970s and even into the early 1980s.
