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The calendar function is simply set as follows. This is just such an example with each of its functions working perfectly. Included is a monometallic balance that’s adjusted for heat, cold, and 5 positions, a self-compensating flat balance spring, and a micrometer regulator.Īs mentioned elsewhere on our website, it is very important when considering a triple calendar chronograph to find one in tip-top condition which has been well cared for and properly serviced. It’s constructed with 31 jewels, a shock absorber mechanism, and a straight-line lever escapement. This watch carries the automatic calibre 410Z movement which is rhodium-plated. First launched in early 1969, it was not only the world’s first self winding chronograph but it also accurately measured time to 1/10th of a second, and included a quickset date function. It is in tip-top condition with no marks or damage. The lens is of quartz crystal.Īs mentioned above, the El Primero movement was a ground breaking achievement for Zenith. This is the original dial which remains unrestored and untouched. as a rangefinder – typically in a military application especially naval gunnery and anti-aircraft artillery – or to measure how far away a storm is, by using the difference in time between the arrival of a flash of light and its associated sound. The tachymeter scale measures speed based on time travelled over a fixed distance, i.e. The dial carries a outer tachymeter scale and a black seconds scale divided into fifths of a second. The subsidiary dial at 9 counts seconds irrespective of if the chronograph is running. The subsidiary dial at 6 counts elapsed hours, up to 12, while the chronograph function is running. The subsidiary dial at 3 counts elapsed minutes, up to 30, while the chronograph function is running. The watch also carries the Moonphase in the top half of the lower subsidiary dial. The window to the left hand side by 10, indicates the day of the week and the window to the right hand side by 2, indicates the month of the year. The dial carries the classic triple date design, to which many watch houses adhere. In actual fact, it successfully conveys all this information very simply, once you become familiar with the layout. It may initially look quite complicated, but this is because it conveys a lot of information. It is beautifully symmetrical, well balanced and proportioned. The silver-white guiloche dial contrasts wonderfully with the platinum case and original gilt ‘Leaf’ hands and 1 – 12 Breguet Style Standard Arabic Numerals. Seven Functions:- 1) Chronograph accurate to 0.10 sec, 2) Day, 3) Date, 4) Month, 5) Quickset, 6) Moonphase, 7) Self-Winding movement. This is also a true ‘time capsule’ piece, by which we mean it has seen little to no real use and has always been kept in pristine condition. This is historic and one of the rarest and most desirable chronographs ever produced. This fabulous timepiece was first retailed in 1992 and is from a limited edition production run of solid platinum cased watches. in 1991, Zenith introduced its first Triple Calendar, Moonphase, Chronograph by adding these functions to its self-winding El Primero Chronograph movement.
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Many see this as one of the best chronograph movements ever produced, as it can accurately measure time to 1/10th of a second and even today very few chronographs are capable of achieving this. It then continued to do this right up and until the year 2000 when Rolex finally began to make its own chronograph movements for the Daytona for the first time.
#Zenith el primero chronograph install#
This movement was a tour de force and so advanced that 20 years later in 1988, when Rolex required a more advanced movement to install in its Daytona Chronograph, it chose to fit the Zenith El Primero movement. Put simply, in 1969 Zenith produced the world’s first automatic chronograph, the El Primero.
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Zenith has also been recognised with more than 1500 awards and has over 50 individual movement designs to its name, making it the Swiss brand with the most awards for precision. Just a brief look inside the case-back of any chronograph is enough to demonstrate how complicated these watches are – making these very expensive watches to design and produce. The technical expertise and craftsmanship which went into these was immense. Notably, in 1929, Zenith won world renown at Kew Observatory (England), when a Zenith wristwatch won first prize for accuracy of better than 0.6 seconds per day.ĭuring the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, Zenith held the lead in producing many of the most commercially successful and most advanced chronograph wristwatches. The company has an almost unparalleled record of technical achievements. 1865 and one of only a handful which still produces all its own mechanical movements today. Zenith is one of the oldest watch companies, est.
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