In 1958, Zenith released its first divers watch, the S.58. The exact origin of the name S.58 is unknown, but it is believed to mean "Super water resistant" or "Scaphandre", which is French for diving.
Production quantities were around 2,500 units and the model was produced for less than two years.
The S.58 model was produced in four different versions, of which this first is also the rarest according to several sources. Production quantities were around 2500 pieces and the model was produced for less than two years. The movement in the first model is the Zenith 120 movement with central seconds, which was originally produced for the Pilot collection, but has also been used in the Sporto models. A rare feature of the movement for its time is that the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out to the hand-set position, which allows for precise time setting. Later models used automatic movements and in 1962 a bakelite diving bezel was added to the watch.
When new, the watch was promised to be water-resistant up to 200 meters. The crown is a regular one, not a screw-down crown, and it is not supposed to have the Zenith logo. The watch is made in two colors, black and white. The design of the dial is very simple and easy to read, typical of its era. The lume of the dial and hands are radium. The crystal is plastic and is attached to the case with a metal screw rim, which presses the crystal and the gasket underneath it tightly together. The steel case, which is approximately 37 mm wide, is large for its era and fits nicely on many different sized wrists.
These watches have often seen heavy use, so specimens in good condition are rare.
Due to its small production numbers, the S.58 is a watch sought after by collectors. They are not found every day and the market price is significantly affected by the originality and visual condition of the watch. These watches have often seen heavy use, so there are few examples in good condition. The serviceability and availability of spare parts, especially for the first variation with the 120 movement, is good and will certainly be for a long time to come.