Zenith

does anyone have experience with the el primero chronograph (02.0500.420/etc.)?  i love zenith in general (even the nataf defy xtremes), and to my eye this particular chrono is a great looking watch with a classic movement.  one concern i have is that its a chrono with manual wind.  sounds like a lot of winding to me, but maybe not in practical terms.  aesthetics aside, if folks have experience with this one with steel band, i'd like to hear.  also, pros/cons/service issues, if there are any.  i'd be surprised since it's a proven movement, but just curious.

chris

... and of course several advantages: It is even thinner than the already slim automatic Primero, and - to put it into a trivial phrase - what isn't there, cannot fail. Consequently, you do not have to think about a possible defect in the automatic winding system (not that I ever heard about one, though).

Personally, and I mean: personally, I am not a fan of the cal. 420 handwinding movement, for two reasons:

1) The El Primero was named "Primero" because it was the first automatic chronograph movement. If you delete the automatic winding system, you also delete the sense of "Primero"; it is then one of thousands of manual-winding chronographs, not more.

2) The hand-winding El Primero is not a beautiful movement.



Partially responsible for its success was the Primero's well designed integration of the automatic winding geartrain into the chronograph movement, resulting in a thin movement, that is still service-friendly. This means, removing the automatic winding parts results in a large and weird-looking gap. the pictures shows that even an empty screwhole is present, where another automatic winding bridge should be. The various engravings do not really make the empty lump of metal more beautiful.

Having phrased my personal aversion against the manual-winding "Primero", I can indeed say a few words regarding the watch model you asked about. If I checked the reference number given correctly, I had the automatic version of this watch. It is part of the "Class El Primero" series of sportive, yet elegant timepieces. The water resistance is indicated with 100 meters. However, its snap back, the unscrewed crown and the shaped pushers dictate some caution in this respect. If you intend to use the watch for swimming, make sure to have a water tightness test conducted at least once a year, and have the gaskets replaced every three or four years.

Other than that, the wearing comfort is great, the watch is small, compared with today's standards (under 40mm diameter). The steel bracelet is good and comfortable, and looks attractive. there is no quick size adjustment in the clasp. Legibility is absolutely great, at night and at day.

One thing that was a certain problem of the manually wound Class EPs: the crown was rather small, later models had a wider crown. Since the winding of the movement is a bit rough, the crown did not really make it a pleasing activity. I suggest you check this yourself.

Hope this helps,
Marcus

thanks for the detailed and useful response.  i was surprised when i found that it was not automatic as it seemed so many el primero movements were: your discussion makes that much clearer.  i'll have to see how the winding is.  i think i'd be using this primarily as a nice watch for daily wear: part of the rotation.  the face is well executed, and, as much as i've enjoyed zenith, i've actually never owned one.  so i thought that this might be a nice entree. 

thanks again, marcus.

chris

I think that this watch is a very good entry into the Zenith range, especially due to its timeless appearance and very good execution.

Regards,
Marcus

Hello, Chris

It is almost impossible to add anything more, after the detailed write-up of Marcus' - but let me try to add a few more comments.

1. Manual winding is a nice ritual; personally, I find the crown size and shape OK. If you ever forget, no isssue - EP HW has a long power reserve of over 55 hrs, and the isochronism has been addressed excellently, no substantial changes of rate during the second day.
2. Even if you purchase a NOS piece, you should keep in mind it may well be over 10 years since it was produced, hence it may require service quite soon.
3. The bracelet is comfortable and elegant, no hair pulling. No quick adjustment mechanism, as mentioned by Marcus, though. In addition, all links are of unique size of 9 mm - I wish there was at least one half link. The links are connected via pins and tubes, the adjustment is somewhat more difficult that in the case of split pins system but you benefit from a definitely more solid construction.
4. The Class EP was produced in a variety of dial designs. The "pilot design" is perhaps not so classy as the more formal ones but definitely, it is more universal. I would highlight the dial is slightly convex, as well as the hands tips are bent down which gives this watch a nice vintage touch. The perimeter of the dial is graduated in fith seconds and seconds (longer marks), perhaps the five seconds/hours marks might be optically more pronounced.

In general, it is a lovely watch with a very well balanced dial (as opposed to the modern iterations in bigger size cases where the subdials tend to be cluttered in the center). Also, you may appreciate this watch is mere 11,3 mm thick, including the domed crystal - it is a real pleasure to wear. In my opinion, there is absolutely no need to fear the hand winding.

petr

petr

thanks so much for adding to this thread.  definitely some good food for thought.

chris