The Cairelli was introduced in the 1960s, as a tool watch expressly designed for military use. Commissioned by the Italian Army, these watches were given to Italian Air Force or ‘Aeronautica Militare Italiana’, bearing many of the classic hallmarks typically associated with military pilots' wristwatches.

In the early sixties, Zenith supplied pilot’s chronographs to Rome-based watch retailer, A. Cairelli - then Italian military supplier for (most notably) Zenith and Universal Genève watches. Each piece was designed to meet the Italian Military’s “Cronometro da Polso” or “CP-2” requirements and like numerous military examples, were later commercially available to civilians. This example would have been sold subsequently, by A. Cairelli Roma, as an unissued CP-2.

Altogether, roughly 2500 of these chronographs were made, with those assigned to the military typically bearing “AMI” on the case-back, for Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Italian Air Force). Some examples were issued to other branches of the Italian armed forces, with additional markings. A. Cairelli CP-2 chronographs replaced the CP-1 watches made by Leonidas (later acquired by Heuer).

This Zenith Cairelli, has a round, stainless steel case with large chronograph pushers and an original signed, fluted crown. The case measures 42.5 mm in diameter and has thick straight-line lugs with strong bevels, retaining definition. The screw-down case-back features only “CRONOMETRO - TIPO CP-2 - A. CAIRELLI-ROMA” engraved, as you would expect from an unissued "Cronometro da Polso".

The case features a black aluminium, bi-directional rotating bezel with a sixty-minute graduation.

A. Cairelli “CP-2” chronographs were equipped with the calibre 146 DP - a manually-wound chronograph movement made by Zenith, out of the former Martel Watch Co. factory. Zenith acquired Martel several years prior, building on its expertise in chronograph movements prior to the introduction of the El Primero, in 1969.

This manual-winding Zenith calibre 146 DP movement is rhodium-plated, protected by an anti-magnetic, soft iron dust cap. It's constructed with 17 jewels, a shock absorber device, and a straight-line lever escapement. It includes a monometallic balance, and a self-compensating flat balance spring.

This Zenith Cairelli comes fitted with our rugged-brown, strap

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look