2013/06/06

*Zenith "El Primero"

Zenith El Primero Original 1969

 

El Primero Original 1969
Bearing testimony to human genius and to the inventiveness of countless generations of watchmakers, the watch is a precious object that shelters the beating heart of time and the rhythm of life. 21st century watches stem from a blend of industry and craftsmanship that enables them to transcend purely technical expertise and raises them to the realm of emotions. What finer expression could one hope for than the El Primero Original 1969 in testifying to this distinctive nature mingling mechanics and enchantment, techniques and aesthetics?

Elegance and refinement are the unmistakable attributes of the precious El Primero Original 1969 model in its gemset version, entirely in harmony with the distinctive characteristics that have shaped the legend of the  El Primero collection. These notably include the legendary three-coloured dial, interpreted here through counters entirely set with blue sapphires along with black and grey diamonds. This sparkling face is further enhanced by baguette-cut diamond hour-markers. In all, some 3.60 carats of precious stones adorn the dial, the bezel and the white gold case. In keeping with the signature features of the first 1969  El Primero chronograph, the case measures 38 mm in diameter and the date appears between 4 and 5 o’clock.

El Primero 400 movement
Alongside its undeniably elegant, precious and refined nature, the  El Primero Original 1969 is nonetheless every inch a chronograph – and an exceptional one at that. At its heart beats the El Primero 400 movement launched in 2009 to mark the 40th anniversary of the  El Primero movement of which it reflects the architecture and construction, assigning the same functions to the exact same spots as the 1969 original. Unsurprisingly, this automatic movement beats at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour corresponding to 1/10th of a second precision. Like all El Primero calibres, it is fitted with a column wheel, the distinctive token of exceptional chronographs, and has an over 50-hour power reserve.