‘JIM FROM URSULA, X-MAS 1939’

(Guest Contribution from @zenithconnoisseur)

Nothing could replace the feeling this evokes.

It triggers wonder and curiosity. Nostalgia even. The crisp enamel dial has everything I could long for: the ‘Swiss Made’ signature, the Zenith branding above the sub second, but mostly importantly: the retailer stamp. A quirky detail that speaks for the piece.

Did Ursula buy this watch, strolling the streets of Cork, somewhere in the heart of winter in order to find the perfect Christmas gift for Jim? What was the color of the wrapping paper it was in? Would Jim prefer it over a Rolex?

What was she thinking, when she peeked through the foggy window of J.O Connell Jewelers in Cork back in 1939? Did the watch catch her eye? Were there holiday decorations?

According to the history books it was a long and snowy winter that year. And moreover, it was the first winter of WW2. Did they survive? Did they on this Christmas evening have the slightest idea of what was to come? Was Ursula Jim’s girlfriend, or perhaps a relative? Did Jim leave for the battlefield?

The mind wanders off, but does so with a fascination that cannot be simply captured by words. It was a different era, yet it is now around my wrist. Collecting is not just about possessing objects; it is also the delicate balance between hopes and dreams. The balance between fantasy and reality. Many of our observations are recorded as numbers; facts to be totaled-up as statistics. But is this what collecting watches is about? What does a watch really tell us?

Perhaps it is the longing for a sort of timelessness.

We need something that remains; something that withstands the test of time. Oh, how I sometimes wish I could know more, but then again- we don’t need to know everything.

See this piece not as something that is more valuable because it has a retailer stamp, see it as something that is more valuable because it had a life it lived, a story it could tell.

MORE ABOUT THE PIECE:

The Zenith movement no. starting with 321XXXX traces it back to the late 1930ies (1939)- which corresponds with the year engraved in the case back. The case back also tells us the watch has been frequently cared for by skilled watchmakers hence the 6 different service marks.

It furthermore states “moon” referring to the popular case shape. Of course it is also written ‘guaranteed for 20 years,’ to prove it was of superb quality. Furthermore we see the DENNISON engraving, ‘made in England’ followed by the case number.

The watch most likely outlived it’s owner!

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Today we are lucky in that we have our first-ever outside contributor, @zenithconnoisseur from Instagram! As one could guess by his IG ‘nom de plume,’ this man is seriously into vintage Zenith. He has what can only be called an archive of vintage advertisements, boxes and ephemera, and of course he also owns many examples of the firm’s watchmaking skill.

This is the first in what will be many new entries into the Curated Classics guidebook by guests. So enjoy this first peek into the private world and amazing collection of @zenithconnoisseur!

Obviously to see more, check him out on Instagram.

We are of course @curated.classics on that platform, and at www.curatedclassics.net online.