In this article we discuss Zero West a manufacturer that historically and geographically connects timepieces to a moment in time. In this case one with a cafe racer in the year 1950.
The nice thing about watches is that every once in a while a manufacturer pops up that you hadn’t heard of and is just that little bit different from the mainstream. This is certainly the case with Zero West Watches.
The manufacturer’s name actually refers to the coordinate Zero West, the main line of longitude also known as the prime meridian that runs through Greenwich. This is where east meets west, where time begins.
What this manufacturer specifically focuses on is designing iconic British watches that are historically and geographically connected to a moment in time. In fact, all Zero West watches have a latitude and longitude coordinate visible on the dial. This refers to the place and event to which the timepiece is linked. Because of this specific link to an event in motorsports or aviation history, you are actually wearing a piece of history on your wrist daily.
In this article, we highlight their CR-2 Café Racer, a contemporary take on the café racers of the 1950s.
Post-World War II Britain witnessed a huge shift in urban culture after the social hardships of the recent World War. Prosperity steadily returned in the 1950s and, as a result, the next generation began to rebel and free itself from the postwar shackles.
Café Racers embodied a mix of carefree rebellious youth fueled by the new free rock ‘n roll movement. This urban cycling scene emerged from the riders who frequented London’s Ace Cafe.
The inspiration for the CR-2 was the 1960 “Triton.” A stylish and efficient combination of a Triumph 650cc parallel twin engine mounted in a Norton featherbed frame.
It handled well and went well and was the epitome of a British Café race bike.
The case of the timepiece references the front of the fairing of a motorcycle, designed to reduce air resistance it evokes memories of classic road racing on the Isle of Man.
The white and red drawing on the dial is based on the drawings and colors of the gasoline tank.
With its 44mm diameter and 16.3 mm thickness, this is certainly not a discreet timepiece and therefore requires a slightly larger wrist.
The reliable Valjoux 7750 with a power reserve of 48 hours and a water resistance of 100m are the icing on the cake.
| Model | CR-2 CAFE RACER (1950’S) |
| Movement | Valjoux 7750 |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Diameter | 44 mm |
| Water Resistance | 100 m (10 ATM) |
| Material case | 316L stainless steel |
| Watch strap | 22/20mm Zero West custom military and aerospace grade cross-linked fluoroelastomer rubber |
| Price | 3995£ |
| More info | |
