WW2 Italian Regia Aeronautica – SECTOR CHRONOGRAPH CLOCK – ZENITH – RARE!

Dating around 1938, the Zenith Sector Chronograph clock was installed on the cockpits of various Italian fighter and bomber aircraft of the Regia Aeronautica, specifically the Fiat B.R.20 “Cicogna” as reported on page 297 in the book, “Zenith” by Manfred Rossler. It features an 8-day power reserve, with 12 removable “sectors” which are placed between each of the 12 hours shown on the dial. These sectors were most likely used to establish the time in which radio silence had to occur, i.e. a situation in which the stations radios (land line or aircraft) the temporary interruption of transmissions was imposed, generally for safety and security reasons.

Made of brass and aluminum, by Zenith, this Italian Aircraft Clock is in EXCELLENT used condition! Installed in aircraft to keep time and fix in radio communications, it features the manufacture name, “ZENITH” on the dial, along with “A. Cairelli” which was the Italian supplier for the Royal Air Force. This exact version is of the type approved by the Ministry of the Royal Air Force as reported on an inspection label entrusted to Cairelli in 1941. Though it is missing 3 of the removable segments, it is otherwise SUPERB, retaining 90% of its original finish! Sadly it is currently not functional as the main spring is broken (should be an easy fix). Some slight scratches and marks, but nothing that detracts. Would make a FANTASTIC addition to any collection, display, or restoration project!