The Zelus is an obscure brand that I was unable to find any information on. I’m guessing that the brand is probably Italian with a Swiss movement.

This is an 18ct gold three register chronograph with no dedicated second hand. It’s from around the late 40’s to the mid 50’s. The movement is Landeron 48 of which over 3.5million was produced from 1937 to 1970.

This type of watch was popular with young latins of the era who wanted to impress with the features of 18ct gold style and chronograph technology. He probably aspired to drive an Alfa Romeo.

To make it a bit more affordable the manufacturer was very mean with the gold; the back could be easily buckled with just finger pressure and had to be re-enforced with a brass inner back. The case was equally thin and the lugs where hollow. Needless to say it was nowhere near water or dust resistant nor was the balance shock protected.

These watches where not rare when I was an apprentice in the late 60’s but now, there seems to be few that went the distance; they didn’t travel well because of their fragility. A dealer once told me that most of these watches that came his way, he melted down.

HELP! If you have any information on the Zelus brand please let me know.