Big, bold, and very 1970s: this is a Zeno automatic in a chunky 37mm x 38mm stainless-steel cushion case with the clean, architectural lines that the era did so well. The wide brushed bezel gives it real presence on the wrist, while the hidden-lug design keeps the silhouette tidy and makes it wear surprisingly comfortably for the size.
The “compressor” case style is a proper bit of vintage tool-watch engineering. Traditionally, compressor cases were designed so that water pressure effectively helps the seal—using a spring-loaded system that increases compression on the gasket as depth/pressure rises. They’re often associated with internal rotating bezels and twin-crown layouts, but the defining idea is the pressure-assisted sealing concept.
The dial is a lovely contrast to the purposeful case: a crisp silver/sunburst finish with applied steel indices (with dark inlays for extra definition), framed black “12” and “6” blocks, and a standout day-date at 3 o’clock with a bold black surround. As pictured, the day wheel shows “DOM” (Sunday in many Romance-language day discs), adding a cool little “international” quirk that suits the watch’s vintage character.
Power comes from the ETA 2789 automatic—one of those dependable, service-friendly Swiss workhorses with day/date at 3, hacking seconds, and quickset date functionality. Although this watch has been stored for decades in unused (NOS) condition, we’ve serviced it to ensure it’s running as it should after such a long sleep.
Extra Points
In 1873, the Langendorf Watch Company was founded to produce watches under the Lanco name, located in the village of Langendorf, Switzerland. Building machines to manufacture watches in a new and innovative way. With the influx of cheap quartz watches during the 1970s from Asia, the operation was finally closed down in 1973. As of 1998, new Lanco watches are being sold in South Africa by S. Bacher & Company, under license from The Swatch Group
What we think
Zeno is one of those quietly serious Swiss names that tends to fly under the mainstream radar. According to the brand’s own history, its roots trace back to 1868, when founder Jules Godat began making pocket watches, with the company later developing into the Zeno identity known for mechanical watchmaking. Zeno’s story is closely tied to Basel, where it became established as an independent maker, and it has remained a family-run operation since the Huber family took over in 1965—continuing the focus on robust, classically Swiss, mechanically driven watches rather than chasing trends.
Spec Stuff
Reference : 6520
Movement : Automatic Swiss Eta 2789 Age : 1971/1980 Specific Age : 1970s Case Size : 37mm Case Thickness :12mm Lug to Lug : 38mm Lugs : 19mm Condition : Unused Old stock Box & Papers : No Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1970s Zeno Comprerssor Large Day / Date automatic watch Stainless Steel on Bracelet new old stock unused
