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Zenith 126
Manual · 12‴ · Switzerland · 1947
Dimensions
27.25 mm
Height
3.85mm
Jewels
15
Power reserve
47h
Timegrapher
Beat rate
18,000bph
Frequency
2.5Hz
Reference: healthy amplitude ≈ 270–315° fully wound (>200° at 24 h); beat error ideally < 0.5 ms.
Movement
| Movement type |
Manual
Purely mechanical movements wound by hand via the crown, which tensions the mainspring to store energy. As the spring unwinds, it drives the gear train at a controlled rate set by the escapement and balance. Typical power reserves range from 38 to 80 hours, requiring daily or near-daily winding to keep the watch running.
|
|---|---|
| Winding type |
Stem Winding (Crown)
Winding the mainspring by turning the crown attached to the stem, transmitting torque through the winding pinion. Patented by Adrien Philippe in 1842, it replaced key winding and remains the standard manual winding method for both pocket watches and wristwatches.
|
| Setting type |
Stem Set (Crown Pull)
The dominant modern system: pulling the crown out to a setting position engages the hand-setting mechanism. Introduced in the late 19th century and refined into multi-position crowns (date, time, GMT). Used in virtually all modern wristwatches and most 20th-century pocket watches.
|
| Escapement type |
Swiss Lever
The undisputed standard of modern mechanical watchmaking. Through an elegant interplay between escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance, it delivers reliable impulses with the safety of 'draw' to keep the lever locked. Refined since the 18th century, it powers almost every quality mechanical wristwatch made today.
|
| Control type |
Balance Wheel
The heart of mechanical timepieces, the balance wheel is an oscillating component that, together with the hairspring, forms a harmonic oscillator regulating the gear train's pace. Its steady back-and-forth motion ensures the even release of energy from the mainspring, governing the watch's accuracy.
|
| Regulator type |
Pinned Regulator (or Index Regulator)
The most traditional regulator, consisting of a movable index pointer fitted with two curb pins (or a pin and a boot) that embrace the hairspring. Sliding the index along its scale changes the spring's active length, adjusting the rate. Simple, reliable, and easy to service, it remains the workhorse standard across countless mechanical movements.
|
| Shock protection |
Incabloc
The most famous and widely used shock protection system in horology. Invented in 1934 by Georges Braunschweig and Fritz Marti at Universal Escapements (La Chaux-de-Fonds), it employs a lyre-shaped spring holding the jewel setting, allowing it to shift under impact and return to position. Adopted by countless Swiss makers across the 20th century.
|
Specifications
| Lignes | 12‴ |
|---|---|
| Shape |
Round
It is the most common form that we can find.
|
| Complications |
Sub Second
A small seconds hand typically located on a sub-dial and is separate from the central hour and minute hands. Originating from early pocket watches where the main balance wheel drove the seconds hand, it offers an elegant way to track the passage of time without crowding the main display. It remains a testimony to the watch's mechanical precision and history.
|
| Hand count | 3 |
| Hand sizes | 1.30 x 0.75 / 0.18mm |
| Further measures | Mounting Diameter (Dm): 26.75mm Stem height (T): 1.6mm Mounting Height (F): 0.85mm |
Origin & References
| Manufacturer | Zenith |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Launch year | 1947 |
| COSC certified | No |
| Signature | 1948: 3761314, Zenith; Incabloc
(Zenith 126-6) |
| US import codes |
|
Notes
Remarks: 1947-1955, 327000
Other data: balance staff: U2018 stem: W2219 mainspring / battery: 1.55 x 10.5 x 0.10mm balance staff ronda: 2751 (12) stem ronda: 561 (12) Mainspring: 1.550 x 10.000 x 0.100 x 380.000 mm
Other data: balance staff: U2018 stem: W2219 mainspring / battery: 1.55 x 10.5 x 0.10mm balance staff ronda: 2751 (12) stem ronda: 561 (12) Mainspring: 1.550 x 10.000 x 0.100 x 380.000 mm
Family
Series 126 - 40T
screw balance, fixed stud carrier:
126: sub second
126-5: sweep second
126-6: sub second, Incabloc
126-5-6: sweep second, Incabloc
126-P: "Mouvement pincé"
suffix B: cam disc regulator
smooth moving regulator, simplified setting works:
40: sub second, Incabloc
ring balance, mobile stud carrier:
40T: sub second, Incabloc
126: sub second
126-5: sweep second
126-6: sub second, Incabloc
126-5-6: sweep second, Incabloc
126-P: "Mouvement pincé"
suffix B: cam disc regulator
smooth moving regulator, simplified setting works:
40: sub second, Incabloc
ring balance, mobile stud carrier:
40T: sub second, Incabloc
Related calibers
Zenith 126
Zenith 126-5
Zenith 126-5-6
Zenith 126-6
Zenith 126-P
Zenith 40
Zenith 40-T
Compatible Parts
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