The El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition is not a mere Zenith watch. First of all, it is a LE of 500 pieces and when we consider it, we don't see that often limited editions from Zenith. But more importantly, it symbolizes the new involvement of Zenith with the Tour Auto Optic 2000, replacing the former watchmaking partner of the race, Hublot. The contract with the event stays in the same group (LVMH) and it is after all pure logic since with this new partnership, Zenith gives a proof of its increasing commitment with the world of motor races.

We are not talking here about a nice little event. The Tour Auto Optic 2000 can be considered as one of the top classic cars events in the world. The 24th edition which will take place between the 20th and the 25th of April will gather more than 230 classic cars in a competition mixing timed and regularity sections.

As usual, the cars will be gathered at the Grand Palais in Paris offering to the visitors the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful reunion of prestigious cars of the past. Then five stages between Paris and Biarritz (around 2.000 km) will be organized to select the happy winners!

If you want to get some figures, the Tour Auto Optic 2000 has more than 800 participants (including 120 people of the organization) and involves more than 30 different countries.

In this context, Zenith was obliged to release a worthy watch! And I have to confess that Zenith succeeded! To be honest with you, the method used is very similar to the one previously used by Hublot: the french flag colours on the dial, the extension of these stripes of the strap, at the end, I was not very surprised by the watch itself.

The positive point is the use of the Chronomaster 1969 and its open dial.

I usually don't like open dial and I don't change my point of view. But for this LE, I think it is a good idea to have such type of dial. The view on the regulating organ enhances the "mechanical" feel of the watch and creates a clear link with the motor racing world.

I propose you to discover some pictures I took during the cocktail organized today by Peter Auto at the BMW brand store of George V in Paris to present the main features of the Tour Auto of this year.

The LE watch has a 42mm diameter:

Do you notice how the dial color may change? This rhodium dial is really superb...

The cocktail starts:

Wearing the watch in front of some classic BMW:

Alain Figaret remains the official clothes provider of the event: on the foreground, the official jacket. On the background, the jacket worn by the winners of the previous edition.

The Zenith display at the BMW store set up for today's cocktail:

BMW and Zenith, two of the main partners of the Tour Auto Optic 2000:

These cars will participate to the event:

... but this i8 is a bit too contemporary to be one of the contestants' cars! Maybe in 50 years?

The atmosphere of the cocktail:

A closer look on the watch:

The case is made of brushed stainless steel and has a diameter of 42mm. You will notice the typical shape of the pushers of the Chronomaster 1969:

The dial may look busy but strangely enough, it works well. Once again, I analyse it in the context of a specific LE and not as a watch of the permanent collection.

A peripheral tachymeter scale is put on the dial:

The Tour Auto logo is engraved on the see-through caseback.

The movement is the El Primero 4061 with obviously a 5hz frequency and a power reserve of around 50 hours.

The watch on the wrist:

Aldo Magada took the opportunity of the cocktail to explain why Zenith is proud to be one of the partners of the Tour Auto:

Zenith is celebrating its 150th anniversary so maybe Zenith will be involved with the Tour Auto for the next 150 editions!

I wish the best for Zenith with this new partnership and I can't wait to be the 20th of April to attend the gathering of the contestants' cars at the Grand Palais! It will be a true feast for the eyes!

Fr.Xavier

This message has been edited by foversta on 2015-04-01 14:55:07