Zenith

Its outstanding features are (i) its 36,000 bph silicon escapement, earing the El Primero label, and (ii) the concentrically arranged date ring.

However, it is the refreshing implementation, which in this case, centers around the case material -- titanium -- and the 'tech' feel it imbues. It did not stop at the case, since Zenith adopted a similar comprehensive design concept close to the Academy version. Subtle differences in colour, enhanced by more pronounced elaborated sculpturing of dial elements:

The image above forestalls already some of the revisions that Zenith applied to all El Primero Tourbillons (which I will present in a separate post). On one hand, by overlapping sub-dials (still completely scaled and thus usable chronograph) and on the other hand, a slightly re-worked tourbillon window. The latter has been enlarged and the frame indicating the date was removed. 

Particularly the latter has a profound impact on legibility, as the removal of the date window allowed the arabics to be slightly increased in size, thereby facilitating deciphering them. The date is indicated by a small arrow head, something which I feel could gain from a stronger emphasis.



The 44mm titanium case follows exactly the one of the 'big sister', with its idiosyncratic hollow lugs.

Also, the elaborate surface finishing and the sheer number of sharply executed edges are maintained.

Contrasting with the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot Titanium the Tourbillon does not have the black faux carbon/kevlar movement finishing. 

Instead, the El Primero Cal. 4035 D shows off its 381 hand-finished and rhodium-plated components:

Strapped on my wrist:

An amazingly clean watch, despite the open-worked tourbillon window and the 3D dial elements:

Depending on light influx, the El Primero Tourbillon Titanium can have quite different tempers:

Taken together, I think the Titanium concept as implemented by Zenith, shows a lot of presence for a technical haute gamme timepiece. Tempting already with the constant force-driven Academy version, the slightly more common (in terms of complication) Tourbillon version is so far - for my taste - the most rounded, consistent and accomplished iteration.

In fact, despite the small and neglegible legibility issue regarding the date, I can only find praise for this watch. It carries over the technical excellence Zenith undoubtly has in ample abundance, and blends horologically complications in a fashion that retains Zenith's technical focus.

Thus, I think the titanium theme begats great opportunities for Zenith to convey its message as a watchmaking powerhouse.

Thanks for reading,
Magnus