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The 2016 Zenith Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2, reference 03.2240.4069/21.C774, is a modern, automatic tribute to the vintage Cairelli-associated military chronograph—not a reissue of its original movement or a military-issued watch. Its black two-register dial, luminous Arabic numerals and bidirectional 60-minute bezel preserve the vintage instrument’s character, while a 43 mm polished-steel case and high-beat El Primero 4069 make it a substantially modern proposition. In Fratello’s hands-on review, the case wore more compactly than its diameter suggests, the dial and pushers impressed, and the polished top was the detail the reviewer would have changed.
What is the 2016 Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2?
Zenith introduced this edition in late 2016 as a tribute to the earlier CP-2 chronographs associated with the Rome-based distributor A. Cairelli. The precise reviewed reference is 03.2240.4069/21.C774. Hodinkee reported that the release was limited to 1,000 numbered pieces. It is a heritage-inspired modern watch, not evidence that this edition served in the military.
The distinction matters because the name connects two very different watches: an earlier hand-wound chronograph with a military history, and a larger, automatic, contemporary Zenith that borrows its visual language. The 2016 model keeps the broad layout and functional look, but updates the movement, case and dial details.
How does it relate to the vintage Cairelli CP-2?
Fratello reports that the Italian Air Force selected Zenith among other chronograph suppliers, with A. Cairelli handling delivery. The review says 2,500 Zenith Cairelli chronographs were delivered to pilots and remained in use into the late 1970s; that is the figure reported by the secondary source, not an independently verified archival count. The original used a hand-wound calibre called 146 DP by Hodinkee and DP 146 by Fratello.
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| Feature | Vintage Cairelli-associated CP-2 | 2016 Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Hand-wound calibre 146 DP/DP 146, as named respectively by Hodinkee and Fratello. | Automatic El Primero 4069. |
| Dial text | Includes “A. Cairelli, Roma.” | Uses “Automatic” instead; retains the two-register black-dial layout. |
| Caseback | Period construction; not a modern display-back presentation. | Solid steel caseback, not a display back. |
| Historical status | Part of the vintage military-associated CP-2 story. | A modern tribute; the cited coverage does not establish military issue or service for this edition. |
The re-edition therefore offers the visual cues without pretending to be mechanically or historically identical. Its automatic winding and modern construction are practical differences, while the removed Cairelli wording makes the dial clearly its own.
What are the case, dial and movement like?
Case and controls
The stainless-steel case measures 43 mm across and 12.85 mm thick, according to contemporaneous coverage. It has polished top surfaces, faceted lugs, no crown guards and large pump-style chronograph pushers. A bidirectional bezel carries a 60-minute scale. The steel caseback is solid, so the movement is not visible through the back.
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- Automatic movement
- Stainless steel case
- Brown leather strap
- Pin buckle
- Water-resistant to 165 feet (50 M)
Dial and legibility
The black dial pairs large luminous Arabic numerals with two chronograph registers and a central chronograph hand. A luminous triangle marks 12 o’clock. The high-contrast layout stays close to the vintage watch’s instrument-like appearance, while the “Automatic” inscription signals the modern mechanism within.
El Primero 4069
Fratello lists the automatic El Primero 4069 at 36,000 A/h (5 Hz), with 35 jewels and a minimum 50-hour power reserve. It is a high-beat automatic chronograph, rather than the hand-wound calibre used in the vintage watch. Those specifications describe the 2016 reference and should not be conflated with later CP-2 Flyback editions.
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- Automatic movement
- Silver chronograph dial
- Black leather strap
- Grey black and blue subdials
- Water resistant to 330 feet (100 M): suitable for snorkeling, as well as swimming, but not diving
How did the watch wear in the hands-on review?
Fratello reviewer Robert-Jan Broer found that the 43 mm case wore smaller than its diameter might suggest, crediting its relatively slender profile and lack of crown guards. He praised the dial’s readability and the balance of the subdials, and described the pushers as satisfying to operate. These are the reviewer’s impressions, not results from an independent wear test.
Broer felt the polished case remained faithful to the vintage design, but said he would have preferred a brushed finish on the case top. He also described the supplied thick calf strap as comfortable; the review sample had a folding clasp. Strap and clasp compatibility should be checked against the exact reference if replacing it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How is it different from the 2018 CP-2 Flyback?
The 2018 Pilot CP-2 Flyback is a related but distinct line, not another name for the reviewed 2016 watch. Its variants added a flyback chronograph function, used the El Primero 405B, and came in bronze or aged steel. For example, Zenith’s technical sheet identifies the bronze model as reference 29.2240.405/18.C801, with a 43 mm case, 10 ATM water resistance and a brown leather strap with protective rubber lining. Those details belong to that 2018 variant and should not be attributed to reference 03.2240.4069/21.C774.
What did it cost at launch?
Launch-era prices are historical reference points, not current market guidance. Hodinkee reported a price of $7,700 in October 2016. Fratello reported €7,900 including 21% sales tax in its February 2017 review. The two figures are from different dates and markets; neither establishes what the watch sells for today.
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Sources
- Fratello: hands-on review of the Zenith Heritage Cronometro TIPO CP-2
- Hodinkee: launch coverage and development history
- Time and Watches: 2016 launch report
- Zenith: 2018 CP-2 Flyback technical sheet
- GPHG: Pilot Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback overview
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
