BaselWorld-Report 2015: Zenith El Primero 36'000 VpH - a new classic is born!
Ornatus-Mundi
Already previewed during the SIHH in Geneva, Zenith presented us a real gem of a chronograph, the new Zenith El Primero 36'000 VpH in stainless steel (42mm) with either white or black lacquered dials:
The date is back at its traditional 04:30h position. This enables a larger date aperture while sticking to a more restrained watch diameter. There is no need to cut into any index or subdial.
On the back, the good old El Primero (Cal. El Primero 400 B). Note the blued screws and the magnificent blue column wheel? A very nice tough indeed!
A few wrist shots - a harmonious appearance!
I am sure it gets even better - here with the black version. My absolute favourite of the two, and one of the nicest watches Zenith unveiled this year:
It has a cool but very charming appeal. More compact and thus more concentrated if I may express it like this.
Wrist shots tell more than 1000 words, I hear...
With these new versions of the Zenith El Primero 36'000 VpH the brand demonstrates that it is not only the flashy novelties which attest to the capabilities of a manufacture, but moreover, constant developments and subtle improvements of existing references.
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2015-03-31 04:39:01
Let's start with the white version:
A well-proportioned, classic chronograph with quite modern features:
The dial is of almost enamel-like appearance, with traditional railroad tracks around the subdails. Typical Zenith multi-facetted indices and - oh these blued hand!
A well-proportioned, classic chronograph with quite modern features:
The dial is of almost enamel-like appearance, with traditional railroad tracks around the subdails. Typical Zenith multi-facetted indices and - oh these blued hand!
The date is back at its traditional 04:30h position. This enables a larger date aperture while sticking to a more restrained watch diameter. There is no need to cut into any index or subdial.
On the back, the good old El Primero (Cal. El Primero 400 B). Note the blued screws and the magnificent blue column wheel? A very nice tough indeed!
A few wrist shots - a harmonious appearance!
I am sure it gets even better - here with the black version. My absolute favourite of the two, and one of the nicest watches Zenith unveiled this year:
It has a cool but very charming appeal. More compact and thus more concentrated if I may express it like this.
Wrist shots tell more than 1000 words, I hear...
With these new versions of the Zenith El Primero 36'000 VpH the brand demonstrates that it is not only the flashy novelties which attest to the capabilities of a manufacture, but moreover, constant developments and subtle improvements of existing references.
Zenith has a rich chronometric heritage to preserve and transport into the future. Here, Zenith (I think) has presented a real winner!
A fine new model which is the fore bearer of where Aldo Magada intends to direct the brand to. This reference is the first of a line to - over time - replace the current Captain collection.
Best,
Magnus
Comments:
Tim_M March 31st, 2015-04:48
A Storming Start! Bravo! This is exactly the kind of core champion Zenith needs. It's refreshing and reassuring to see a reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and (critically) non-tribute model installed as the standard-bearer for the brand. Carbon copies of A386 and others...
chippytime March 31st, 2015-06:58
Zenith Cal 400 36k v/hr I still think Ebel's design from 1980's with the El Primero movement looks better, especially the silver dial and understated printing.
chippytime March 31st, 2015-09:48
Cal 400 36k v/hr I do but it failed to upload the first time. Here are two versions of the same watch with the 36K v/hr El Primero movements supplied to Ebel by Zenith before Ebel developed its own cal 137 movements. Both cases under 40mm. I have a steel "wave" bracelet f...
Ornatus-Mundi March 31st, 2015-10:45
Thanks, but these are completely different watches in my book... case-shape, dial (printed vs. applied) etc. Of course, also the sizes were quite different. The common denominator - the movement, and the date position (if I recall, that was a prerequisite to use the movement in order to easily identify it? I could be w...
passetemps May 7th, 2015-03:06
Very nice. Sobriety + elegance + DNA. Well done Zenith!
selow6 May 14th, 2015-16:30
Are the subhands on the White watch different colors? A little bit hard to tell with the lighting in the photographs.
Ornatus-Mundi May 15th, 2015-14:06
No, the color is the same, its just the light... which make them appear different. Note that a single hand seems to be either dark or light in various images... Magnus
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Ornatus-Mundi
PoT 2014 - PuristS members visit the Zenith Manufacture (ii/ii)
Ornatus-Mundi
Some time back Elio and myself published the first instalment of the 2014 PuristS-on-Tour trip to Zenith, covering the ‘primary production’ at the fully integrated manufacture: click here ! With this final instalment we will guide you through those sacred departments who do the final assembly and regulation of all Zenith watches, and that are responsible for quality control (a process that is integrated alongside the entire assembly procedure). At the end of the primary production steps , Zenith has the components ... .
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