Zenith El Primero 50 Years Anniversary Set (specs, pics and price). To celebrate 50 years since this watchmaking milestone, Zenith presented the 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set, a boxed set containing three chronographs: El Primero A386 Revival Ref. 03.A386. 400/69.C815; Chronomaster 2 El Primero Ref. 03.3001.3600/69.C816; Defy El Primero 21 Ref. 95.9012.9004/69.R582. The Zenith 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set will be produced in a limited edition of just 50 pieces worldwide with a price of Swiss Francs 50,000.
January 10th, 1969: Zenith presents the first high frequency (36,000 vibrations per hour) and fully integrated automatic chronograph. Over the years, the El Primero has become one of the most famous movements of all time. Almost any watch enthusiast have at least heard of the El Primero (‘the first’ in Spanish).
To celebrate 50 years since this watchmaking milestone, Zenith presented the 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set, a boxed set containing three chronographs, all characterized by the typical tricolour counters (light grey for seconds, blue for minutes and anthracite for hours): a faithful reissue of 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.
El Primero A386 Revival Ref. 03.A386. 400/69.C815
The first compartment of the boxed set includes a perfect reiteration of the 1969 El Primero chronograph. The 38 mm steel case with its lugs and mushroom pushers, curved glass with magnifying effect, tricolour counters, tachymeter scale, font, the shapes of the hands and hour-markers, as well as the leather strap, are all respectful of the original.
To recreate a perfect reissue, an authentic copy of the brand's museum was entirely laser-scanned to restore each component. The transparent case back that showcases the movement is the only difference between the reissue and the original which was equipped with a solid case back.
The movement powering the watch is the current version of the El Primero column-wheel chronograph movement, beating at a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour and delivering 1/10th of a second precision as well as a 50-hour power reserve.
Chronomaster 2 El Primero Ref. 03.3001.3600/69.C816
The second watch in the box is the celebrated Chronomaster, equipped with a new-generation El Primero engine and a new black ceramic bezel.
Renamed El Primero 3600, its movement is presented in an optimised version. Beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, this calibre achieves the feat of accurately measuring one tenth of a second and offering direct readings on the dial and bezel. 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. With this 2.0 version, the original construction of the El Primero chronograph, consisting of a column wheel and a lever-operated lateral clutch, was redesigned to enhance its reliability and precision. The most obvious results are the integration of a stop-seconds device for time-setting and a power reserve increased to 60 hours.
In addition to its enhanced movement, the new Chronomaster has a sportier and more modern look than its contemporaries, featuring a 42 mm steel case topped by a graduated black ceramic bezel, a star-shaped oscillating weight and a rubber strap with contrasting stitching.
Defy El Primero 21 Ref. 95.9012.9004/69.R582
The third piece is the Defy El Primero 21 chronograph, the latest achievement in the El Primero saga.
Its movement oscillates at a frequency of 360,000 vibrations per hour (50 Hz), ten times higher than its predecessor, measuring and displaying one hundredth of a second on a scale from 1 to 100 with the hectic hand making a full turn of the dial in one second.
The skeleton dial featuring three solid counters in the original colours – the common denominator of this "tribute" edition – is framed by an imposing 44 mm titanium case with a large fluted crown, flat pushpieces and short lugs integrating a black rubber strap covered with black alligator leather.
The luxury presentation box reproduces a watchmaker's workbench, complete with a watch mechanism on a rest, adjustable lighting system, magnifying glass and screwdriver. The screw-locked lower part of the box contains a drawer in which the three El Primero chronographs are nestled. A fourth cushion is deliberately empty to accommodate Zenith's next feats in the field of extreme high frequency.
The Zenith "50 Years of El Primero" Anniversary Set will be produced in a limited edition of just 50 pieces worldwide with a price of Swiss Francs 50,000. zenith-watches.com
Suggested reading:
- The history of the Zenith El Primero
To celebrate 50 years since this watchmaking milestone, Zenith presented the 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set, a boxed set containing three chronographs, all characterized by the typical tricolour counters (light grey for seconds, blue for minutes and anthracite for hours): a faithful reissue of 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.
The first compartment of the boxed set includes a perfect reiteration of the 1969 El Primero chronograph. The 38 mm steel case with its lugs and mushroom pushers, curved glass with magnifying effect, tricolour counters, tachymeter scale, font, the shapes of the hands and hour-markers, as well as the leather strap, are all respectful of the original.
To recreate a perfect reissue, an authentic copy of the brand's museum was entirely laser-scanned to restore each component. The transparent case back that showcases the movement is the only difference between the reissue and the original which was equipped with a solid case back.
The movement powering the watch is the current version of the El Primero column-wheel chronograph movement, beating at a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour and delivering 1/10th of a second precision as well as a 50-hour power reserve.
Chronomaster 2 El Primero Ref. 03.3001.3600/69.C816
The second watch in the box is the celebrated Chronomaster, equipped with a new-generation El Primero engine and a new black ceramic bezel.
Renamed El Primero 3600, its movement is presented in an optimised version. Beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, this calibre achieves the feat of accurately measuring one tenth of a second and offering direct readings on the dial and bezel. 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. With this 2.0 version, the original construction of the El Primero chronograph, consisting of a column wheel and a lever-operated lateral clutch, was redesigned to enhance its reliability and precision. The most obvious results are the integration of a stop-seconds device for time-setting and a power reserve increased to 60 hours.
In addition to its enhanced movement, the new Chronomaster has a sportier and more modern look than its contemporaries, featuring a 42 mm steel case topped by a graduated black ceramic bezel, a star-shaped oscillating weight and a rubber strap with contrasting stitching.
Defy El Primero 21 Ref. 95.9012.9004/69.R582
The third piece is the Defy El Primero 21 chronograph, the latest achievement in the El Primero saga.
Its movement oscillates at a frequency of 360,000 vibrations per hour (50 Hz), ten times higher than its predecessor, measuring and displaying one hundredth of a second on a scale from 1 to 100 with the hectic hand making a full turn of the dial in one second.
The skeleton dial featuring three solid counters in the original colours – the common denominator of this "tribute" edition – is framed by an imposing 44 mm titanium case with a large fluted crown, flat pushpieces and short lugs integrating a black rubber strap covered with black alligator leather.
The luxury presentation box reproduces a watchmaker's workbench, complete with a watch mechanism on a rest, adjustable lighting system, magnifying glass and screwdriver. The screw-locked lower part of the box contains a drawer in which the three El Primero chronographs are nestled. A fourth cushion is deliberately empty to accommodate Zenith's next feats in the field of extreme high frequency.
The Zenith "50 Years of El Primero" Anniversary Set will be produced in a limited edition of just 50 pieces worldwide with a price of Swiss Francs 50,000. zenith-watches.com
Suggested reading:
- The history of the Zenith El Primero
Love the Revival model. Is it possible to buy the single model?
ReplyDeleteHi, at the moment the three watches are only sold as a set, not separately.
Delete