The most obvious results are the integration of a stop-seconds device for time-setting and a power reserve increased to 60 hours. With this 2.0 version, the original construction of the El Primero chronograph, consisting of a column wheel and a lever-operated lateral clutch, is visually highlighted and redesigned to enhance its reliability and precision. The chronograph hand makes one dial turn in 10 seconds, indicating at each jump the tenth of a second on a scale graduated from 1 to 100. This high-frequency calibre, beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, achieves the feat of accurately measuring one tenth of a second and offering direct readings on the dial and bezel. Renamed El Primero 3600, its movement is presented in an optimised version. Therefore, the second watch in the case is a Chronomaster, equipped with a new-generation El Primero engine and a new black ceramic bezel. Chronomaster 2.0Ī direct descendant of El Primero, the Zenith Chronomaster is its most emblematic contemporary embodiment. Like the original, it displays the hours, minutes and small seconds, chronograph, tachymeter and date functions, the latter appearing between 4 and 5 o’clock. The only liberties that have been taken are the fact that the initially solid back now reveals the movement without hindrance and that the crown logo has been updated.Īs for the ‘engine’, it’s the current version of the El Primero column-wheel chronograph movement, beating at a rate of 36,000 vphour and delivering 1/10th of a second precision as well as a 50-hour power reserve. Zenith's engineers and designers laser-scanned an authentic copy of the brand's museum to restore each component of the watch. Likewise, the shape of the lugs and mushroom pushers are exactly reproduced on this pure "revival" watch. The 38 mm steel case, curved glass with magnifying effect, tricolour counters, tachymeter scale, font, the shapes of the hands and hour-markers, as well as the leather strap: all the original codes are resolutely present. This has now been done, since the anniversary boxed set, in a 50-piece limited edition, includes a perfect reiteration of the 1969 El Primero chronograph. Zenith had never yet offered an El Primero reissue faithful to the original model. This combination would quickly become an emblem of the Maison. El Primero also established new visual codes, with a range of contrasting colours that enhanced the readability of the counters: light grey for seconds, blue for minutes and anthracite for hours. Its innovative features – a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour, integrated column-wheel construction, a central rotor mounted on ball bearings and over 50 hours of operating autonomy (a real feat for such a high frequency) – made it the most accurate chronograph in the world and the only one capable of measuring short times to 1/10th of a second. A still-empty fourth cushion sits ready to welcome the next achievement of Zenith in the universe of very high frequency: 1/1000th of a second! El Primero A386 Revivalįlashback to the late 1960s, and more precisely January 10th 1969, the birth of the El Primero ‘the first’ in Spanish), the first ever automatic chronograph. at least for me.This 50-piece limited-edition trilogy includes a reissue faithful to the first El Primero model of 1969 a Chronomaster El Primero with optimized movement and a Defy El Primero 21 to 1/100th of a second. That’s right, there would be no self-winding Daytona had it not been for the El Primero and considering the price of a Daytona these days and what you can get from an Zenith Chronomaster El Primero, the decision was an easy one…. Lume dots at the hour markers and the hour/minute hands is what we get here so don’t expect torch light brightness but then again this isn’t a dive piece so there is no need for that.īeating at a healthy 36000 VPH, this elegant high beat chronograph is so legendary that Rolex housed the movement in their famous Daytona. The dial, a striking silver sunburst that shimmers between white to silver to grey depending on the light and allows the tri-colour subdials to pop. The symmetry of the 42mm dial allows perfect placement of the sub-dials and also the date window at 6pm (the 38mm has it between 4-5pm) and this, in turn, lets the dial breathe somewhat better and eliminates any cramping. The 42mm wears slightly larger due to it not having a bezel but for larger wrists it is perfect. It’s no revelation among the watch community this chunky wrist can adapt to many dial sizes and while the 38mm wore well on my wrist, I was easily captivated more by the 42mm which is what I put the cash down for.
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