chippytime
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El Primero in sheep's clothing but beware?
I have two El Primeros from 1988 and 1990 in my small "vintage" collection, all of which I wear in circulation although the pre-WW2 less so to preserve their movements. With small wrists I do not favour the modern fashion for large cases and prefer maximum 40mm diameter ones although 36mm suits me fine. I also do not like the heavy cases with sharp angular designs (too 1970's) and prefer rounded finishes.
So I over time I bought two Ebel's cal 134 which contain the El Primero cal 400, one of which is pictured. The second one is similar with a steel case. Both still very accurate time-keepers well within COSC.
I have a major gripe to warn others. Servicing these two watches is now becoming a problem. Ebel as the manufacture has changed for the worse IMHO. The supply of parts to my BHI registered repairer by both Ebel and Zenith are blocked. Instead both manufacturers insist watches be sent for service or repair to a designated agent for no less than a full service (often with case repolishing) with imposed designated replacement parts (eg all hands replaced even though they are in perfect order). It is a protectionist cartel situation similar to how the car manufacturers used to operate before the EU intervened.
I do not expect a 24 years old or in my case even a 77 year old watch to look, perform or be maintained like a brand new one. It is great when the performance is good because of great care from skilled repairers. Thank heavens for eBay and the internet!
Ebel cal 134 with Zenith cal 400 inside
Zenith El Primero 1969 New Vintage – After one year on the wrist
Team, Other day, I was updating a spreadsheet that I use to control my small collection and I notice that my El Primero New Vintage 1969 was about to celebrate its first anniversary and I decide to create this post describing the experience of having it w...
A Wonderful report
And I am glad to see that after one year, you still have as much passion for this superb watch as you did before. I must say, of the 3, the SS version is the one to go for. Now my decision is whether to seek out one of these beauties, or go for a newer St...
I agree, the SS has more charm ...
But the black Ti has some mystique on the transparent dial associated with the lightness of the titanium case. The pair, I never owned a gold watch, are true keepers and a good homage to the 60's/70's crazy days. Cheers, Nilo
Excellent Report !
I can identify with all that you described. Just an amazing piece inside out ! Well woth the wait and hunt. Echoing your call .... Bring on more re-editions ! Vintage charm , modern convenience ... whats not ot like ! If I may share some photos of mine, p...
Thank you Flamenco ...
Your pictures shows that, no matter from the photo angle, the beauty of this watch. The colors changes with the angle, making it more and more exciting. Cheers, Nilo
Wonderful!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Great write up and beautiful pictures.
This is one of those rare instances . . .
. . . when the revision . . . . . . as evidenced by Nilo's and flamenco's examples, is as compelling as the original. I find the size of the 1969 New Vintage with the overlapping subdials more appealing, particularly on the wrist. The owner of the watch p...
El Primero in sheep's clothing but beware?
I have two El Primeros from 1988 and 1990 in my small "vintage" collection, all of which I wear in circulation although the pre-WW2 less so to preserve their movements. With small wrists I do not favour the modern fashion for large cases and prefer maximu...
This is an universal issue ...
To prevent this issue, my watchmaker made a good inventory of the El Primero parts. I do believe that the same intervention that happened with car parts should happen with watch parts some day. Now back to your Ebel: I saw one on a seller that I'm a dedic...
Ebel cal 134 leather straps
The Ebel cal 134 case for my two El Primero chronographs take a leather strap, but the strap is special to Ebel (= more expensive), has no pin buckle facility and is usually supplied by Ebel service agent only. Each curved lug-end strap with a sown-in met...
Thank you very much for the info ...
I didn't know about that and based on your information, no Ebel to me. I'm a leather person and I'm obsessed to have multiple straps for each watch. That is the main reason that I don't have any watch with integrated bracelets, like the AP, no matter how ...
Leather straps
I also prefer leather straps, especially on vintage watches. There is nothing better than a good quality alligator or lizard strap, coloured to suit the case style and material. Lighter weight on the wrist too but not suitable for dunking in water! I am l...
I dare to disagree ...
Art, Because of the fact that our wrists are used to bigger watches, the re edition "sits" better on the wrist than the original. Cheers, Nilo
Ah, but my preference generally is for . . .
. . . modestly sized watches, with the New Vintage being at the outermost level of acceptability for aesthetic comfort on my wrist. All things being equal, the originals should be personally preferable. It's to my surprise they aren't. In other words, fro...
I agree and disagree ...
The vintage size works fine on my wrist but the 19mm lug size makes my life harder to locate the proper straps. Another factor to me is the fact that Zenith did some minor enhancements between the vintage PHC and the 400 and later to the 400Z. I never had...
Excellent!
Thank you, Nilo, for a wonderful write-up. I would really love to meet it in person! Original or re-issue is always the question going around in my head, though. But this re-issue sounds like worth pursuing..... Thanks! Ken
If I remember ...
There is a Zenith boutique in Tokyo, correct? They had a much desired Rainbow. Cheers, Nilo
I almost followed you
Dear Nilo, Thanks for an amazing and personal story of the watch. I am still reeling from the fact that you keep a spreadsheet for watches. I started a real spreadsheet (old fashion paper) in an accounting log book back in 2000 but it stopped after a few ...
You should ...
I feel excited to have a historical piece on my wrist, without the concerns that I personally associate with potentially irreplaceable vintage ones. About tracking watches, I started with a very complex software system (I wrote it) but as the time passed ...
thank you for a wonderful review
hope to also see some live shots of the titanium one. i like the transparent dial too.
glad to hear the crystal held up over time!
Thanks for the 1 year on the wrist report, it's always good to know how things go long term. -MW
It's holding ...
And I'm left handed and my watches see more action than many. Cheers, Nilo
Thank you for this report, Nilo!
I start to understand why you think "a man is Zenith-less" without a El Primero... ;) Best Blomman
Well, I do have a Zenith project going on...
But, not chronograph related... Give me time - I will get there! ;) Best Blomman
Wow Nilo! you have just spelt paixao with a BIG "P"....
And I am totally with you "meu irmao". To me, the "El Primero" mouvement is not only a "Great" mouvement but "The" benchmark for all other automatic chronograph mouvements which were developed since! Abracos, Francois
You are correct about the passion ...
But I also dream of an El Primero V2.0. It's about time. See here: Cheers, Nilo
Great write up for a great watch
Excellent write-up for a beauty of a re-edition. I know some purists frown at the New Vintage 1969 edition, but i've always had a soft spot for them. Zenith definitely got it RIGHT with this one. Thanks for sharing
Waiting indeed
not only for another Zenith re edition but for your marvelous future reviews. Truly enjoyable read from first to the last sentence. Sincerely Damjan
great post...
... can feel the joy as you do with your 1 year wearing. btw very nice watch with a signature and reliable movement, a must chrono for every chrono lovers. stefan
Thank you Stefan ...
As you and all should know I'm very "infidel" to my watches but this one is a definition of a keeper. Cheers, Nilo
detailed report! thank you!
I love your report! Thank you. This makes me wanna to get a Zenith right now.
Can't agree more
If I may, a couple of pictures of this gorgeous watch :) You didn't mention the second subdial which is going from white to grey with the light and the lovely dial, nearly off-white. My only complain is that reset button needs to be firmly pushed to have ...
About the reset button ...
My experience with several El Primero varies. The new ones, requires a more firm push that improves a bit with use. My "old" ones, after passing for the wise hands of my watchmaker's team, are more responsive to the chronograph reset button. Cheers, Nilo
Stupendous strap... Vintage leather?
would prefer a standard construction with some slightly contrasting (brownish) contrast though... Magnus