Thomas Engel for Zenith Astronomical Dress Watch No. 18
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1983
This astronomical dress watch, identified as number 18, was produced by Thomas Engel for Zenith around 1983. It is crafted from 18K gold and features a keyless winding mechanism.
The watch measures 50 mm in diameter. Its silver dial displays radial Roman chapters, an outer minute track, and an engine-turned center. A subsidiary seconds dial incorporates an aperture for moon phases. The timepiece is driven by a 40 mm rhodium-plated movement, which includes 17 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance, and a swan-neck micrometer regulator for precision adjustment. The case design is of the three-body Empire style, featuring a screw-down back decorated with spiral engine-turning, surrounded by a barleycorn pattern border.
The watch utilizes a ball-type swiveling pendant that functions as the winding crown. Both the dial and case are signed, and the movement bears a Zenith engraving.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Calendar & astronomical watch
- Maker
- Thomas Engel
- Material
- 18K Gold
- Regulator
- Swan-neck
- Dimensions
- 50 mm diameter
- Case Number
- 18
- Movement Serial
- 5537379
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Engel
- Movement Decoration
- Fausses-côtes
Design
- Condition Report
- The auction description reports an overall condition grading of AA, indicating that the piece is in very good condition. This grade applies to the watch as a collective object. The report provides separate condition ratings for individual components to specify the state of preservation for the case, movement, and dial. The auctioneer confirms that the case and dial both bear the required signatures associated with the production of the timepiece.
- Visible features
- • Moon phase aperture located within the subsidiary seconds dial. • Blued steel Breguet hands for hour and minute indication. • Engine-turned spiral pattern on the case back exterior. • Ball-type pendant crown positioned at 12 o'clock.
- Movement and Escapement
- The interior of the watch contains a 40 mm diameter movement finished in rhodium plating. The plates are decorated with fausses-côtes, a traditional method of striping found on high-grade timepieces. The mechanism operates on 17 jewels and incorporates a straight-line lever escapement. The timing system consists of a monometallic balance paired with a self-compensating balance spring that features an outer terminal curve. For fine adjustments, the movement is equipped with a swan-neck micrometer regulator. This component allows for the delicate manipulation of the timing of the balance spring. The movement is engraved with the Zenith name, indicating the collaboration between the maker and the brand for this specific production.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The watch features a three-body 'Empire' style case constructed from 18K gold. The rear of the case is secured by a screw-down cover, which is finished with a spiral engine-turned decoration. The outer border of this back cover is further detailed with barleycorn engine-turning. The bezel and case band are polished to contrast with the textured back. The watch is suspended by a ball-type swiveling pendant that also operates as the winding crown for the keyless mechanism. The silver dial is marked with radial Roman numerals for the hours and includes an outer track for minute divisions. The center of the dial features engine-turning, contributing to the watch's decorative appearance. Time is indicated by blued steel Breguet-style hands. Positioned at the bottom of the dial is a subsidiary seconds display that serves as the location for an astronomical moon phase aperture.
Identification
- Serial number
- 18
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The country of manufacture is not explicitly stated in the source.
- Research required: The exact production methodology for the Zenith-signed movement remains unverified by historical technical documentation.