Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Moonphase Day Night

jcs2000 · 2016-05-14T11:11:32Z

Jcs2000 reviews his Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Moonphase Day and Night, highlighting its unique complications, black dial, and high-quality finishing.

jcs2000

WPS member · Zenith forum

7 replies3199 views8 photos

Jcs2000 introduces his first Zenith acquisition, an El Primero Tourbillon Moonphase Day and Night, a limited edition piece from the Natif era. His post details the watch's intricate design, high-frequency movement, and unique complications, including an oversized moon phase and integrated day/night indicator. Jcs2000's review emphasizes the watch's blend of modern aesthetics with classic guilloche patterning and its impressive finishing.

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Want to thank ED-209 for his excellent review of the white-faced version of this watch. It gave me the confidence to purchase without seeing in person.

Also thanks to Ornatus-Mundi for helping to confirm some of specifications of this limited edition watch.

I am relatively new to watch collecting and was not familiar with the Zenith brand.

My philosophy on collecting is to buy what you like and plan on keeping forever.

This sets a high threshold to purchase and I tend to favor watches with moon phase complications that are otherwise unique but not far out crazy.

I was really intrigued with the layout and combination of this El Primero chronograph featuring an oversized moon phase and tourbillon.

The black face version invokes a planetary/celestial/orbital gestalt with the different sized sundials and dynamic motion of the tourbillon.

This color scheme is sharp and modern but there are subtle classic design elements with the use of guilloche patterning.

The focus is certainly on the tourbillon--you can completely view the balance wheel and escapement along with several integrating rubies.

The precision pinpoint screws are in a contrasting blue for added visual interest.

There is a very reassuring and audible ticking sound when close to ear characteristic of the high frequency El Primero movement.

The chronograph is smooth with a secondary unobstructed outer tick marker ring on the watch face.

This detail is often absent in later versions. Cumulative minutes at 3 and hours at 6.

Very much a niche watch originally released in 2008 at the end of Natif era.

Some of these design elements end up persisting in later Zenith watches especially the integration of the date display around the tourbillon.

As ED-209 noted in his review, the date cyclops introduces a bit of distortion at extreme angles, but does not protrude out which I prefer.

The finishing of the watch is of very high quality and certainly near par with Breguet & Langer.

45 mm in size but the shape of lugs allows it not to overwhelm the wrist.

The watch also has an exhibition style case back with detail finishing on the automatic rotator

Looks great in both casual and dress settings.

Another uncommon features is that the calendar moon phase complication also has an integrated day/night indicator featuring a rising and setting sun that then gives way to a progressive night sky with stars every 24 hours. Here you can see a representative night view.

The only critique I have is that you have to concentrate a bit more than usual in reading the main clock face.

The tourbillon is the traditional cage design rather than open fly back version so there is a bar running horizontally and that along with long thin second hand parked at 12 o'clock has to be subtracted out.

Despite being a an older limited run model, it remains a great example of the technical prowess of Zenith that hopefully will become more widely recognized in the USA over time.

This message has been edited by jcs2000 on 2016-05-14 11:20:14

Key Points from the Discussion

The Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Moonphase Day and Night features a combined moon phase and day-night indicator, a detail not widely known even among enthusiasts.
The black dial version of this Zenith tourbillon is particularly striking and looks superb on the wrist, despite its 45mm size, due to well-designed lugs.
This specific Zenith model represents a significant and rare acquisition from the brand, showcasing its technical prowess.
Zenith's brand community, including factory representatives and collectors, is highly regarded and welcoming.

The Discussion

radone

May 14, 2016

You started with Zenith in full speed!

Congratulations! Great addition! R

kolosstt

May 14, 2016

Thank you for your words

And congratulations to your addition. Kind regards, Kolosstt

Tim_M

May 14, 2016

Congratulations! That's a Flying Start!

What an entry to Zenith ownership- well done! I've admired that piece from afar, and while it dwarfs my wrist, it looks superb on yours. I'm actually at the New York TimeCrafters show today, and the Zenith factory representatives are on hand. They're a great group, and you've chosen to enter a truly superb circle of folks both in terms of managers who run and enthusiasts who collect this brand. Best, Tim

Ornatus-Mundi

May 14, 2016

You certainly don't take prisoners on your horological journey...

and took what you heart is beating for - very, very well done! I gladly admit that I learned something new (the combined moon phase/day-night indicator was a detail I did not know) and - moreover- am delighted that to great guys here could help in substantiating evidence to your decision. That is what we are here for. I am now eager to see much more images of this rare, fantastic piece! Cheers and wear it proudly and in good health! Magnus

amanico

May 14, 2016

Congratulations. Enjoy. [nt]

Mark in Paris

May 16, 2016

Congratulations!

This is a major catch from the brand. Thanks for sharing with us this rare piece and I wish you to enjoy it often! Cheers, Mark