LEONIDAS Tipo CP2, Flyback Chronograph, Case no. E.I. 1142, made for the Italian Army, circa 1960
LEONIDAS
Tipo CP2, Flyback Chronograph, Case no. E.I. 1142, made for the Italian Army, circa 1960
A very fine and rare, well-preserved, oversized, manual winding, stainless steel flyback chronograph military pilot’s wristwatch with matte black dial, painted luminous Arabic numerals and bi-directional rotating black bezel graduated for 60 minutes, Nato strap.
Fitted with cal. Valjoux 222, mechanical, hand wound, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance with timing screws, blue steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, shock absorber, column-wheel for the flyback chronograph mechanism.
Dial signed Leonidas, case numbered.
Diam. 43.50 mm. Thickness 12.50 mm.
Accompanied by a fitted Leonidas presentation box (damaged inside).
The Tipo CP-2 chronographs were made by Zenith, Universal Genève and Leonidas for the Italian Navy’s pilots. This present example was issued to the Italian Army, as designated on the case back “E.I. no 0454”, where E.I. stands for Esercito Italiano, which translates to the Italian Army. The CP can be recognized by its matte black dial with luminous numerals, its "Return to zero" (flyback) function, which is very important to pilots, its monobloc-type construction, its robust movement and its graduated bi-directional rotating bezel, graduated for 60 minutes. The name "CP" is the contraction of "Chronomètre de Poignet" wrist chronometer (Cronometro da Polso). Two versions were produced, one with a diameter of 38 mm, the CP1, and a larger one with a diameter of 43 mm, like the present lot, the CP2.
With its military look and provenance, strong presence on the wrist, lovely patinated dial with ivory colored indexes, the present watch has a unique vintage charisma. CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
THE PURCHASE PRICE PAYABLE BY A BUYER IS THE TOTAL OF THE FINAL BID PRICE PLUS THE BUYER'S PREMIUM (25% OF THE AUCTION PRICE OF EACH LOT), AND ANY APPLICABLE SALES OR USE TAX.
ONCE A BID IS PLACED BY THE BIDDER ONLINE, IT CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN. LOTS ARE SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR CONDITIONS OF SALE, DESCRIBED TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND CANNOT BE RETURNED. THE ONLINE CONDITION REPORT IS NOT AN SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, WHICH YOU MAY SEEK, REGARDING THE CONDITION OF A LOT.
PHOTOS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION REPORT. ANY DEFECTS NOT MENTIONED IN THE DESCRIPTIONS BUT VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS DESCRIBED AND WILL NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY CLAIMS. THE ONLINE CONDITION REPORT MAY NOT DESCRIBE ALL DEFECTS IN A LOT, SUCH AS RESTORATIONS, DEGRADATIONS OR ADAPTATIONS. PHOTOS ARE NOT RETOUCHED. THE COLORS MAY DIFFER FROM REALITY. THE DIMENSIONS ARE GIVEN AS AN INDICATION AND MAY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM THE MEASUREMENTS MENTIONED BY THE MANUFACTURERS, ESPECIALLY FOR CONTEMPORARY TIMEPIECES. FOR WATCHES, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THE FUNCTIONING OR THE PRECISION OF THE MOVEMENT, NOR THE WATERPROOFNESS OF THE CASE.
