Ornatus-Mundi presents an in-depth look at the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero for Cohiba, a special edition celebrating Cohiba's 50th anniversary. This review highlights the meticulous design details and technical prowess that unite these two luxury brands, from the tobacco brown dial to the iconic El Primero movement.
With aplomb,
Zenith recently launched its newest partnership with renowned
cigar manufacturer Cohiba, conciding with the latter's 50th anniversary. The first fruit of this collaboration is the
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero for Cohiba , a customised 42mm Zenith El Primero chronograph is silicon escapement and really lovely details. I already had the chance to enjoy an occasional cigar with the brown lady!
Notabene, the Cohiba edition timepiece just
had to come with a
tobacco brown dial (
"glossy chestnut reminiscent of the amber colour of the prestigious cigars" in Zenith's press speak) ...
... combined with the
Cohiba logo and cigar band composed of a yellow line with a 'hobnail' pattern.
Well-placed, the Cohiba band crossed both chronograph subdials, thereby highlightnig the distinctive nature of the the Zenith as well as the Cohiba brands - a very nice touch!
More so,, as even the subdial arrangement is 'correct' (in a Purist'S sense): the minute counter overlaps the hours counter - thus precise reading is possbile when needed!
Altogether, a compelling, attractive package - but there is more, a lot more; Zenith added to the watch...
... exactly the 'right' amount of attention to the detail which also distinguishes a
great cigar from a merely good cigar: note the
dial structure!
Isn't this fantastic?
Just as an excellent cigar is more than just rolled tobacco, this dial demonstrates very well what watchmaking craftmanship is all about.
Note how the printing is perfectly aligned with the pattern...
The Chronomaster feature's Zenith's openworked escapement window which also doubles as a seconds scale (on a 20 seconds partition).
Detail view on the entire escapement.
Clearly, the silicon parts stand out but still match nicely with the brown of the dial.
Another highlight: the heat-blued seconds hand!
On the flip side, of course, the legendary El Primero movement (here: Cal.
El Primero 4061) beneath a crystel edged with the commemorative Cohiba enblem.
The gleaming brown of the dial, combined with the warmth added by the Cohiba yellow and the fine (optical and structural) checkered contrasts make for a sensualist wearing experience.
Unifying a pleathora of colours, contrasts and elements, the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero for Cohiba blends with different attires, occasions and lifestyles with ease. Surprisingly, despite its pronounced design elements', case size including, it appears a bit like a 'jack of all trades'. It would perfectly accompany you throughout the day, from taking your kids to their kindergarden, attending a business meeting later, shopping, finishing some garden work and later enjoying a sun-downer with friends (with cigar - for sure!).
I intentionally opted for a considerably
different shirt to prove my point above (but the stiching pattern matches freighting well with the Cohiba band...):
Lastly, I heard both from Zenith as well as independently from watch enthusiasts, that this piece enjoys tremendous success amongst cigar aficionados. Finally, the general sentiment provides, there is a watch that lives the pleasures of their beloved smoking indulgence.
It appears that Zenith caught a masterstroke with thie Cohiba partnership. Last week already the watch was
sold out, at least in Europe,
to collectors, not just at the retail network!!! Very, indeed
very, well done, Zenith!
About the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition (from the Press Release):
Produced in a limited series of
50 in rose gold (Ref.
18.2042.4061/76.C494) and
500 in steel (Ref.
03.2047.4061/76.C494), the exclusive “anniversary”
El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition
by Zenith is adorned in glossy chestnut reminiscent of the amber colour
of the prestigious cigars. In a nod to the ultimate cigar, its Havana
brown dial is spanned with vertical lines and distinctive motifs of the
Cuban brand. The famous
profile of aboriginal chief Taino, the
manufacture’s emblem, appears alongside the Zenith and Cohiba logos.
Beating to the vibrant rhythm of a legendary movement, the El Primero
Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition flaunts clean, sleek lines. Its
high-frequency mechanism is housed in an elegant
42 mm-diameter
rose gold case, fitted with a fluted crown and two round push-pieces.
Topped by a domed sapphire crystal, this display with its sophisticated
allure is punctuated by facetted, luminescent hands. The sapphire
caseback, engraved with the Cohiba’s 50th anniversary logo, reveals an
oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève”.
At 11 o’clock, the famous opening of the dial reveals the palpitations of the automatic El Primero 4061 chronograph movement. With its impetuous 36,000 vibrations an hour cadence enabling a 1/10th of a second display, its COSC precision-certified chronometer
and integrated column-wheel construction, this El Primero ‘engine’ is a
worthy heir to the world’s most precise series-made chronograph series
presented by Zenith in 1969. Equipped with a silicon lever and escape-wheel,
this 282-part movement driving central hour and minute, chronograph and
tachymeter functions is endowed with an over 50-hour power reserve.
Developed
for sophisticated connoisseurs, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba
Edition watch is presented in an exclusive wooden box in the colours of
the legendary Habanos cigar.
For the press release
see here !
For more on the watch at Zenith's website please
click here !
Our venue: the
Café Eduard in Vienna's multi-cultural 15th district (you either love or you hate that neighbourhood. I am with the former faction...).
The café rekindles your soul if all this nastiness, selfishness and particularly the rising political populism is bothering you; and this effect is mostly felt by those who like to
breakfast outside in summer, their large plane tree is just perfect for this. Miss R and myself made good use...
... and both enjoyed a vegetarian (arabic-mediterannean style) opulent breakfast. Yummy!
Thanks for reading,
Magnus
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2016-06-26 05:01:13 This message has been edited by MTF on 2016-06-26 09:14:23 
