Zenith De Luca I El Primero 400

nilomis · 2015-08-05T04:15:30Z

Collector nilomis shares his Zenith De Luca I acquisition. Discover the rare 1988-1989 El Primero 400 chronograph with unique vintage features.

nilomis

WPS member · Zenith forum

15 replies4663 views5 photos

nilomis shares his long-awaited acquisition of a first-generation Zenith De Luca I, a classic chronograph he considers a true collector's piece. His post details the distinguishing features of this early reference, from its plain pushers and thin hour markers to its plastic crystal and the legendary El Primero caliber 400. This article offers a personal journey into collecting a specific vintage Zenith reference.

Team,

I was chasing a De Luca for a very long time.
I was able to locate several but they were the "new" version ("mercedes" hands) but I was hunting for a first edition.

As a friend use to say "Keep hunting and any watch shows up", finally a Zenith De Luca from the initial version was offered to me.

Got it and immediately send to my watchmaker for a complete service.

Took time for my watchmaker to put it in shape, but now I have a watch that I consider to be a classic.

The De Luca is informally called using the last name of the Zenith main agent in Italy. What characterizes a first generation is the use of plain pushers (later versions carries screw down ones), thin hours markers, classic hands (love the chronograph seconds hand) and the crystal that is made of plastic (later versions carries mineral glass).

The movement is the legendary El Primero caliber 400.

Notice that the dial don't have the "El Primero" written into it.

The case size is 40mm and for my surprise, the lug width is 22mm.

Let's see the pictures:

Perfectly balance dial x movement size:

It's a pure B&W watch.

Dresses amazing well on my wrist.

Love the contrast between the black sub dials and the white dial, very "panda" style.

I'm so glad to have it that I could "fly to the moon".

The big question is if this watch can be considered vintage?

I think so.

Thanks for seeing.

Cheers,

Nilo
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2015-08-05 23:58:33

Key Points from the Discussion

Only the last release of the De Luca had screw-down pushers and a sapphire crystal; its predecessor featured smooth, non-functional sleeves around the pushers and a mineral crystal.
The De Luca I is celebrated as a beautiful watch and an icon of post-Quartz Crisis Zenith, revered by collectors for its character and substance, often overlooked by speculators.
The De Luca was already a famous reference and a precursor to the Rainbow models when it was purchased in 1997.
The De Luca I, reference 01.0040.400 (later 01.0043.400), dates from 1988-1989, with only 790 pieces produced, making it rare yet maintainable due to its classic El Primero 400 movement.
The plastic crystal's unique reflections contribute significantly to the watch's fantastic aesthetic.
The De Luca line overall is highly regarded, though some later versions suffered from poor legibility.

The Discussion

Tim_M

Aug 5, 2015

Congratulations on landing a beautiful watch and a true icon of post-Quartz Crisis Zenith. Not a just a De Luca, but a series I! This is the kind of classic that I love; revered by collectors, oozing character, real substance, and almost completely overlooked by speculators and auction hype. Wear it in great health for many years to come! By the way, the plexi distortion of the dial in the moon photo is monstrously awesome: great angle and well done. You captured the personality of the watch in

nilomis

Aug 5, 2015

You are on the spot to mention the beauty of the plastic crystal reflex. Fantastic look, by my book. Cheers, Nilo

nilomis

Aug 5, 2015

01.0040.400 (later it was changed to 01.0043.400), my references date it from 1988-1989 (my guess is 1988). Same source states that only 790 were produced! Rare and very maintainable, since it uses the classic El Primero 400 (not Z). Cheers, Nilo

Mark in Paris

Aug 5, 2015

I like its style really. At the time I bought mine (1997), the De Luca was already quite famous and a reference for Rainbow models. Nice catch! Cheers, Mark My later cousin says hi

nilomis

Aug 5, 2015

As described on the attached Zenith maintenance document. Cheers, Nilo

nilomis

Aug 5, 2015

Your Rainbow is gorgeous. I'm "torturing" a dear friend that has a Rainbow Flyback (the colorful one) and a De Luca latest edition. Let's see if accepts. Cheers, Nilo

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