Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, Zenith El Primero has marked 50 years of its reputable movement. Born in 1969, the iconic calibre is the world’s first ultra-thin, high-frequency integrated automatic chronograph.
Originally part of a trilogy of automatic chronograph calibres that hit the market during that period, it is regarded as one of the best and most accurate chronograph movements ever created and remains the only one being produced to date.
Like the name El Primero (meaning ‘first’ in Spanish) suggests, it has continued to lay standards for other modern-day mechanized wrist watch brands, even though it has been in the market since the ’60s. Some of its features include its measurement of time for as low as one-tenth of a second and beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour.
Its durability stems from 9 months of work, more than 2,500 operations, 300 expert hands and 18 types of metal that lasts users for years without worrying to change the whole or parts of it.
Zenith, celebrating the El Primero movement this year, has decided to pay tribute to this cornerstone element of its history, with a superb, highly exclusive set of watches.
Taking into consideration varied the individual taste, the Swiss watchmaker has created a collection that is based on preference and personality, not forgetting to add its aesthetic touch to each. This collection includes Defy, Chronomaster, Elite and Pilot – each possessing at least a 50 minute back up power and are water resistant.
Zenith Defy is an ultra-high-frequency line of watches with 1/100th of a second chronograph. Defy series simply looks and feels modern in all aspects with a ceramic case, titanium double folding clasp and black alligator leather coating strap.
Chronomaster is a classic series that depicts originality. It has many models with ceramic and stainless steel casings and alligator leather straps. Chronomaster comes with legendary El Primero automatic movement.
Elite series is focused on elegance and has automatic elite calibre movement beating at 28,800 VpH. Other features include 50 minutes’ power backup, water resistance, stainless steel case and leather strap.
Zenith Pilot series ties with aviation and has El Primero and elite automatic movements (model dependent). The Pilot series case made from bronze material and has oily nubuck leather straps other than waterproofing.
Over the past 154 years, Zenith has continued to create beautiful luxury watches, designed for the classy man, rich in innovation, expertise and precision, and crafted to fit into any outfit and social function.
The company continues to maintain a long-standing legacy of ingenuity, with expert service centres around the world where all watch workers working are trained by the manufacturer itself and are capable of repairing and restoring any watch made by Zenith.
The brand has received several awards to its name including a gold medal at the Paris universal exhibition and is still known for its impact in animating Rolex Daytona series between 1988 and 2000.
Zenith is also the only manufacturer who can make specific parts required for repairing on a one-off basis. This capability puts Zenith in a rare advantage of restoring almost any watch no matter how old it is.
Source: Ventures Africa