Zenith chronometro Tipo CP 2 a bit special

[bwest76]

Thanks to the black Friday thread I was able to purchase this at a good price,I knew one day I would buy one.

It cost much less than a secondhand one,it won’t be appearing on eBay or anywhere else for that matter for a quick profit,It’s staying with me.

It arrived at 13.00 I took of the beautiful signed deployant and put on a 18mm buckle, the strap tapers down nicely.

I then insured it on my home insurance for the full replacement value which cost me £17.

It had arrived well packed the box is compact but heavy,everything was included warranty,hang tag and manual.

Then I rushed over to London for a meal with family and friends wearing the watch with no worries.

At the restaurant I talked to the manager who was expecting us,he was sporting a BLNR purchased years ago.

It already feels like an old friend,just some quick snaps on the move.

Sunset over Hammersmith bridge was beautiful,no I didn’t go to the Steve Hacket gig at the Apollo.

[amcneill]

Congratulations.

Sent from my E6653 using TZ-UK mobile app

[paskinner]

I’ve had two CP2s, lovely watch, real class. I wouldn’t mind another one. In terms of history, I seem to remember that they were worn by ‘starfighter’ pilots. Not the luckiest bunch in aviation history.

[bwest76]

Just 4 more interest free payments to go,very grateful to the TZer who gave the heads up.

[HookedSeven]

I have to agree these are pretty nice. Congratulations for getting one at a great price.

[Fredamens]

I love that watch. Sold mine a while ago and regretted straight away. Where did you get it at such a good price?


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[Pitch3110]

Thats lovely and congrats, I really to love the Zeniths that keep popping up.

Pitch

[bwest76]

I love that watch. Sold mine a while ago and regretted straight away. Where did you get it at such a good price?


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It was the last one at Beaverbrooks.

I have never been in a position where I was sure I could flip a watch at an instant profit before.
But I don’t buy watches as investments,the same as I don’t have bucket lists or grails as I feel it destroys the enjoyment.

[Fredamens]

It was the last one at Beaverbrooks.

I have never been in a position where I was sure I could flip a watch at an instant profit before.
But I don’t buy watches as investments,the same as I don’t have bucket lists or grails as I feel it destroys the enjoyment.

Cheers it’s a cracker.


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[Sinnlover]

These are one of the best looking watches released in recent years. I have tried one on numerous times (almost every time I pass through Duty Free)
2 things have stopped my buying though.

1. I already have an original Heuer Bund and a Sinn 155 manufactum so it would be a bit too similar to watches I already own.
2. The movement is too small for the case which results in the subdials being too close to the centre of the dial, Zenith have tried to counter this by increasing the subdial size but it does not look quite right to me, it took me a while to work it out though.

However for the money these have been available for it’s easy to ignore those 2 minor issues, I am sure I will try it on again next time I pass through an airport.

[bwest76]

2. The movement is too small for the case which results in the subdials being too close to the centre of the dial, Zenith have tried to counter this by increasing the subdial size but it does not look quite right to me, it took me a while to work it out though.

I dont see that,I like the way the dials dont cut through 2 and 4 nor 8 and 10.

To me its more pleasing on the eye.

[sweets]

The original Cairelli's didn't have nibbled numbers either.
The sub-dial position is the only reason I never went for one of these too.
On the original the spacing from centre to sub-dial matches the spacing from sub-dial to dial edge.
On these new ones all the space is on the outside.
There is nothing wrong with it, it just doesn't look good to me.
D

[Wooster]

These are one of the best looking watches released in recent years. I have tried one on numerous times (almost every time I pass through Duty Free)
2 things have stopped my buying though.

1. I already have an original Heuer Bund and a Sinn 155 manufactum so it would be a bit too similar to watches I already own.
2. The movement is too small for the case which results in the subdials being too close to the centre of the dial, Zenith have tried to counter this by increasing the subdial size but it does not look quite right to me, it took me a while to work it out though.

However for the money these have been available for it’s easy to ignore those 2 minor issues, I am sure I will try it on again next time I pass through an airport.

Had the aged metal flyback version - reason number two is why I sold it. Once seen, can't be unseen.

[Skip]

Lucky you - 22 more to go for me! Worth every penny though, especially at 30% off.

[bwest76]

30% off thats a good saving.

I cant remember what percent I got off,but interest free seems like a saving plan so I took it.

[Skip]

30% off thats a good saving.

I cant remember what percent I got off,but interest free seems like a saving plan so I took it.

Happened to find mine in the EJ sale, so took the interest free option as well. An awesome watch, as you say in the thread title - “a bit special”!

[Raffe]

Thanks to the black Friday thread I was able to purchase this at a good price,I knew one day I would buy one.



It already feels like an old friend,just some quick snaps on the move.

What a bad boy, wear it in good health.

[RAJEN]

Absolutely love this watch
Prefer it on a tan strap. But some people don’t like black tan combo.

[petay993]

Looks great on you, glad it arrived in perfect condition and is being used as intended.

[bwest76]

Looks great on you, glad it arrived in perfect condition and is being used as intended.

Once I insured it I was less worried about being mugged in London ,I would have just handed it over.
Though to be fair in winter with a jacket on it’s unlikely to be noticed and not as recognisable as a Rolex.

We are going to visit my younger brothers grave today so it’s bittersweet,I would give back everything I own to get him back.
A watch means nothing compared to life,though it helps to take my mind of the tragedy for a while at least.

[CatalystGuy]

Congratulations lovely watch favourite of my collection. Great pictures I see you have had a play with the bezel already.

Enjoy.


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[Tinker]

Good post.

[Thom4711]

The CP-2 performs an ergonomic masterclass. On paper, there's no way a 43mm watch with ~52 lug to lug would fit my wrist but the case lugs are so beautifully designed that it really works. I think I will look for the green canvas strap at some point to increase the versatility a smidge.

[Mysqueek]

The CP-2 performs an ergonomic masterclass. On paper, there's no way a 43mm watch with ~52 lug to lug would fit my wrist but the case lugs are so beautifully designed that it really works. I think I will look for the green canvas strap at some point to increase the versatility a smidge.

I’ve been looking at the CP-2 for a while and my first consideration is will it suit my 7inch wrists. As much as I enjoyed my Tudor Pelagos at 42mm it didn’t feel right

[MartynJC (UK)]

I do like my LE version. Understated, class movement.



Congratulations on your purchase - the OEM leather really sets it off.

[Thom4711]

I’ve been looking at the CP-2 for a while and my first consideration is will it suit my 7inch wrists. As much as I enjoyed my Tudor Pelagos at 42mm it didn’t feel right

My wrists are sub 7inch and the zenith just about works for me. For reference, I find the black bay 41s too large but this might be because of thickness? I also find the 42mm el Primero too big because of its quite long, straight lugs.

The cp-2 is slim and light so it wears well for its size.

It's not a watch I would buy as my only watch, but that's hardly an issue!! Probably worth finding one to try on at least

[bwest76]

It really doesn't feel like 43mm.

I took my brothers dog for a walk this morning,It was cold and sunny along the Thames if you could dodge the joggers and cyclists.

[Fredamens]

Used to wear mine in the green strap, very casual. I will defo buy another.



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[bwest76]

Is that a Zenith strap,if so what’s it called?

[Fredamens]

Is that a Zenith strap,if so what’s it called?

Yes you can buy it with that option instead of leather. Used with deployant


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[bwest76]

I am very glad I bought it,I just put a extra hole in the jumbo strap it’s a better fit now.

Lumes not bad either.













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Used to wear mine in the green strap, very casual. I will defo buy another.



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I may get one.

[Fredamens]

I am very glad I bought it,I just put a extra hole in the jumbo strap it’s a better fit now.

Lumes not bad either.













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I may get one.

Have a look on the forum under my name I sold one a while ago. Will give you a flavour of what they are like.

Fred


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[wileeeeeey]

Lovely looking watch and with that discount and 5 years interest free it really is silly value. I saw your post before where you said it made more sense to just do the finance and let the interest of your ISAs etc work smarter for you and I completely agree.

[bwest76]

Lovely looking watch and with that discount and 5 years interest free it really is silly value. I saw your post before where you said it made more sense to just do the finance and let the interest of your ISAs etc work smarter for you and I completely agree.

It’s 3 years interest free or 5 with fees.

Beaverbrooks financial calculator was very easy to use,I paid a deposit then my first payment is in January.

[NCC66]

Beautiful watch. Sorry that there’s a bitter-sweet element to your post. Very sad but I know I’d love anyone I leave behind to have such a fantastic thing to wear.


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[robt]

I then insured it on my home insurance for the full replacement value which cost me £17.

The first time I read this sentence, I thought bloody hell you got that a lot cheaper than I remember it being! Congratulations on getting this one, I'm glad it went to someone on the forum. I was very, very tempted but really can't afford to be buying any more watches right now. Like you, this is on my list of watches I fully intend to own eventually. I just hope Zenith remain sufficiently under the radar that they stay somewhat attainable. It really is stunning.

All I got out of Black Friday was some MN-style straps for £6, which I suppose are kinda nice.

[bwest76]

The first time I read this sentence, I thought bloody hell you got that a lot cheaper than I remember it being! Congratulations on getting this one, I'm glad it went to someone on the forum. I was very, very tempted but really can't afford to be buying any more watches right now. Like you, this is on my list of watches I fully intend to own eventually. I just hope Zenith remain sufficiently under the radar that they stay somewhat attainable. It really is stunning.

All I got out of Black Friday was some MN-style straps for £6, which I suppose are kinda nice.

As far as I know this is the last one Beaverbrooks had and was sold as end of the line,there’s only 1,000 made that’s less than the 2,500 originals.

[robt]

As far as I know this is the last one Beaverbrooks had and was sold as end of the line,there’s only 1,000 made that’s less than the 2,500 originals.

Yep, that's definitely going to make it harder to find one in the future. But I'm not too concerned about the small number in existence. These days so many watches are LEs produced in similarly sized batches. It doesn't mean nobody ever sells theirs. It just means they don't turn up on SC like buses.

[Hood]

Really like these and there have been a fair few on SC at a good price.
It wears slightly too big for me or I'd definitely have one-if i remember rightly the deployant clasp and strap was too big and would have required another hole punched.
I would say a 7.25" wrist required to do it justice.

[bwest76]

Really like these and there have been a fair few on SC at a good price.
It wears slightly too big for me or I'd definitely have one-if i remember rightly the deployant clasp and strap was too big and would have required another hole punched.
I would say a 7.25" wrist required to do it justice.

My wrist is smaller, OE strap fits perfect it’s normal size, deployant is a work of art,watch belies it’s 43mm and sits comfortably.

I’ve seen one on SC?

[bwest76]

wearing it in the winter sunshine today,its one decision I definitely got right.

I have fitted it on a Di-modell rallye but the jumbo is just as good.I just wish they tapered more I dont like wide straps anymore.





pic sharing

[frogspawn]

Stunning watch - but you should have gone to the gig as well...

[bwest76]

Halfords gave me a 30 minute test ride so I used the chrono.

even with the electric motor I struggled, I could hardly walk when i got back and i didn't cover many miles, it felt good though.

really enjoying wearing this watch.

[jukeboxs]

Looks to wear large, bigger than the polar Explorer - maybe the thickness. Andy’s if anything looks slimmer, but maybe the angle.

Nice looking watch though, good pick up.

[bwest76]

I decided to try a NATO for a totally practical tool watch.

As a child in Germany I remember we kids knew the Starfighters as widow makers,they had a reputation for crashing.
Though I think they where USAF rather than the Italian variant that we saw in north Germany.

[bwest76]

I was out riding my motorbike yesterday,parking up someone was admiring it and we got talking.

He was a RAF pilot out of Brize Norton riding a GPZ900, I jokingly said anything to do with top gun? and he said yes he liked the bilke anyway but that was the deicder when he bought it.

When he was based at RAF Bruggen they went on a deployment to Decimomannu Air Base an Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) Base located approximately 5 km north of Decimomannu,in the Province of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia in Italy.

He and a few other members of his squadron asked for permission to ride their bikes over which took 3 days.

What a amazing trip riding bikes over to Sardinia (ive done it myself its great fun) then dueling with Starfighters over the clear blue skys.

I asked him what watch he was wearing but he doesent when riding,he told me he wears an old casio when flying I cant remember the model.

I mentioned I had a Zenith Tipo and told him the history,but he didnt realy have an interest in watches.

The thing is of all the places I want to go back to since lockdown is Sardinia and I would lobve to meet someone with one of the original issued Zeniths.

thats about as close I am going to get.

RAF officers are a lot more down to earth (no pun intended) than army officers in my experiance.





http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/...ntDeciline.htm

[Middo]

Wow ? that’s a stunning piece and a bargain at that money.

[Sinnlover]

2 pictures of the original stolen from the web

The sub dials are around 1.5mm closer to the edge of the dial compared to the reissue



(Picture also stolen from the web)

There is nothing in it really but I know it’s there and as it’s just enough to make my OCD twitch

I think it’s a lovely watch and would rather have one of these over every other modern chrono on sale today but if it were not for this minor issue I would already own one.

The alternative is to find an original but I don’t fancy re mortgaging my home currently.

[bobc]

I do like the reissue but that Cairelli......I want one!

[bwest76]

"There is nothing in it really but I know it’s there and as it’s just enough to make my OCD twitch".

I dont have it as bad as you but when I went in one shop I asked if they could align the bezel on a watch in the window.