11/4/2023 0 Comments Chronomaster el primero![]() ![]() In 1969, at a press conference held on January the 10th, Zenith announced the imminent launch of the first fully integrated, high-frequency, automatic chronograph movement. With all these requirements, the bar was raised so high that the project could not be completed in time for the centenary in 1965 but it required four more years. A relatively small size and a date indication were additional specifications. And to make things even more challenging, the beating frequency of the chronograph had to be high enough to make it the most accurate chronograph wristwatch in the world measuring 1/10th of a second. Instead of considering the easier option to add a chronograph module to a base movement, Zenith had a more ambitious plan: the chronograph function had to be fully integrated within the mechanism and actuated by a column wheel rather than by an easier-to-implement cam. ![]() In 1962, Zenith began developing the idea of creating the first automatic chronograph in watchmaking history with the ambition to launch it in 1965, on occasion of the centenary of the Manufactury. While automatic movements for “solo-tempo” or three-hand watches started becoming popular in the 1940s and 1950s, no automatic chronograph movements had been manufactured yet. After the First World War Zenith began with the development and manufacture of wristwatches, including alarm and chronograph functions. These successes accelerated the growth of the company which was transformed into a stock company in 1911. Over the years, Zenith won many more competitions achieving the impressive record of more than 2,300 prizes considering pocket watches, on board instruments and wristwatches Combined with the two other colours, anthracite and rhodium.Founded in 1865 in Le Locle by Georges Favre-Jacot, Zenith quickly earned a reputation as the manufacturer of some of the most precise timepieces of those years achieving the first prize in the chronometry competition of the observatory of Neuchâtel in 1903. While the mechanism is now entirely revealed, there are nonetheless a few subtle nods to the historical version of the El Primero 1969: the date window of the 38mm version has been placed between 4 and 5 o’clock just like the original and the famous blue colour is identical to the historical version. Three counters complete the picture: the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and the small seconds counter at 9 o’clock that notably serves to verify the smooth operation of the movement.Īvailable in 38mm and 42mm diameters, in steel or a two-tone version with steel topped by an 18K pink gold bezel, the watch is fitted with an alligator leather strap or a metal bracelet and is water resistant to 100 metres. This complete opening enables clients to grasp and visually appreciate the high frequency of the movement, the signature of the legendary El Primero integrated automatic column-wheel chronograph calibre with its 326 components, beating at the swift pace of 36,000 VpH and offering a 50-hourpower reserve. To ensure a better understanding of the fundamentals governing its flagship Chronomaster collection, Zenith offers its legendary El Primero chronograph in three different versions: with an entirely solid (closed) dial, a half-open (Open) dial, and now an entirely open (Full Open) dial. ![]()
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