![]() Further choice is proffered with a choice of bi-metallic and 18-carat rose gold cases. The Chronomaster El Primero 38mm shares the same case as the original 1969 model while the larger model is en vogue, appealing to modern tastes with its 42mm case. The latter watch features a date display at 4:30, while the larger 42mm model has a date aperture at 6 o’clock. This year, the watch brand from Le Locle has unveiled two versions of the Chronomaster El Primero in both 42mm and 38mm cases. Over the years, Zenith has equipped many of its models with its iconic movement, including its impressive Chronomaster model. Indeed, many consider it to be the finest mass-produced automatic chronograph movement ever produced. One thing which is not subject to debate is that the El Primero is revered. There continues to be discussion about whether the El Primero, Seiko’s 6139 or the Calibre 11, fitted in the Heuer Monaco and the Breitling Chronomatic, were first but certainly 1969 was a prolific year for the watch industry. The El Primero calibre, unveiled in 1969, was one of the first, if not the first, self-winding chronograph movements. The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 42mm in 18-carat rose gold is a new addition to the impressive collection of chronograph models from this historical watch brand. ![]() And a mixture of brushed and polished case finishes combines with light-catching dial details to create a flashy piece that’s sure to be a conversation starter.Īnd with a historical pedigree as storied as the El Primero, the exchange should never be boring.Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 42mm Angus Davies reviews the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 42mm. While a rubber-lined black alligator leather strap holds it in place with a triple folding steel clasp. On the wrist, the 42mm stainless-steel case wears slightly larger, which is mostly due to its thin polished bezel and the relatively open dial design that’s domed by a thick sapphire crystal. It’s not so much the functions of these three dials that sets them apart, however, with each one a different colour, which not only looks the goods when set against the anthracite-toned backdrop, but also harks back to the original tricolour El Primero chronographs. Composed of 326 components – with the date moved to a more symmetrical 6 o’clock – the 400B offers central hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands, as well as a running seconds subdial at 9, and 30-minute and 12-hour counters at 3 and 6 o’clock respectively. An integrated column-wheel chronograph with a minimum power reserve of 50 hours and, of course, that revered frequency of 36,000 VpH. And that’s exactly what we find here – the El Primero calibre 400B. It’s for this reason that if it’s a chronograph and says Zenith on the dial then inside is the legendary El Primero. In fact, if it wasn’t for the El Primero, the Zenith we know and love today might no longer exist – forever confined to the pages of history as yet another unfortunate victim of the Quartz Crisis. Perhaps the most well-known partnership, however, is the calibre’s adoption by Rolex, which saw modified versions of the El Primero used inside the newly modernised Daytonas of the 1990s. ![]() Released in 1969 as one of the world’s first three automatic chronographs (alongside Breitling/Heuer’s Chronomatic and Seiko’s Speedtimer), the famed high-beat calibre is today as iconic as the watches it features in – ranging from Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang to Bulgari’s Octo Chronograph. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned collector or a fresh-faced newcomer to the world of watches, the history of Zenith’s El Primero high-beat chronograph will forever be a fascinating story to tell. And, well, frankly we also love a chronograph, so we couldn’t resist getting our hands on Zenith’s Chronomaster El Primero 42mm. Every once in a while, however, we like to look back and catch up on the ones we missed. Here at Time+Tide we are constantly finding ourselves getting caught up in what’s new and improved – taking it upon ourselves to keep you guys updated on the latest in watch releases (it’s a tough job, I know, but someone has to do it). I/trending 20610 HANDS-ON: Historical pedigree – the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 42mm Cameron Wong
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