Zenith's El Primero in other brands' watches - what's your take?
Ornatus-Mundi
The El Primero automatic chronograph movement has made history as the first integrated automatic chronograph. This alone is a commendable achievement.
But there is more to it: after the dawn of the quart crisis it was the first choice of many respected brands - because it was the only available fine automatic chronograph on the market! Unthinkable today, but in the early 1980s this was indeed the case...
Thus, it is no surprise that quite a number of respected brand opted for the El Primero to drive their automatic chronograph watches.
Here are a number of them (images taken from the web): First, Ebel (who incidentally were the very first to use the El Primero at all, even before Zenith themselves!):
Then, of course Rolex, who used the El Primero in a customised version, without date and a modified escapement (28'800 instead 36'000 vph; free-sprung balance). The modification actually was not done at Rolex., but by a dedicated group of watchmakers at Zenith, located in a separate room...
Then, Panerai...
Then, of course Rolex, who used the El Primero in a customised version, without date and a modified escapement (28'800 instead 36'000 vph; free-sprung balance). The modification actually was not done at Rolex., but by a dedicated group of watchmakers at Zenith, located in a separate room...
Then, Panerai...
... and Daniel Roth who used this engine to drive their very charming and characteristic chronographs:
The last contender I know of is Zenith's meanwhile sister company TAG Heuer, named the Calibre 36:
Do you know of any additional 'El Primero cuckoo's eggs'?
What is your take on such watches? Are they desirable (perhaps because they attest to the El Primero's unique position and qualities?)? Do you have a favourite or do you own such a piece (if so, which (pics please!!!)?)?
Cheers,
Magnus
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2015-01-13 05:29:15
Comments:
ztirual January 12th, 2015-09:13
Thank you Marcus, can elaborate on Ebel being the first to have an EP movement cased in one of their watches, ie. before the launch of the EP by Zenith on 10th January 1969? Always keen to learn more, advance thank you. Z'
Ornatus-Mundi January 12th, 2015-11:35
"After the dawn of the quarts crisis it was the first choice of many respected brands..." that was the context. Of course Zenith used it before after 1969, but they were not the first after the infamous 1970/1980 years... Magnus
Ornatus-Mundi January 12th, 2015-23:47
I am currently trying to get some more details on the Ebel story from Zenith...
jmpTT January 12th, 2015-10:10
You can add the Concord Impresario to this list... Having examined the Concord Impresario in-person, I was very impressed with the coin-edge case finishing. It's a good looking watch with pleasant heft and a reasonable diameter. An El Primero watch with character, for sure. Due to Concord's re-branding ef...
Ornatus-Mundi January 12th, 2015-23:48
How could I miss this? This indeed is a fascinating piece, albeit its style is a bit polarising to me. Long gone times, indeed! Best, Magnus
lhk1 January 13th, 2015-03:19
My take El Primero movement is one of my favourite movements. I like any wataches that housed with such movement (with or without modification). You see the biasness? To me, it enhances the quality and value of the watch. Thank you, Magnus. Regards Ling
Ornatus-Mundi January 13th, 2015-05:26
Ling, that's interesting! Please tell us more... about why you love this movement so much. Did your appreciation change over time, with so many fine automatic chronographs meanwhile on the market? For myself, I like the classical construction, which is still quite resemblant to the old manual wind movem...
aaronm January 13th, 2015-18:40
Rolex Ratchet I just noticed this for the first time, did rolex also replace the ratchet wheel with one of their red ones, but upside-down? a
Ornatus-Mundi January 14th, 2015-12:43
That's indeed possible. I read somewhere that Rolex had (up to) 50% of the parts modified.
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