Zenith

foversta
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Hands on review of the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition 2016

It is a beautiful tradition: the month of April inevitably evokes the journey through France from the North to the South by the most beautiful specimen of the little world of classic cars. The Tour Auto Optic 2000 is back to the delight of the eyes ... and ears because it is one of the very few opportunities to see these spectacular curves and to hear incomparable engine roars. The race, which takes place this year from April 18 to 24 between Paris and Cannes welcomes 240 competitors who have prepared and pampered until the last moment  their mechanical mounts.




Each edition of the Auto Tour also symbolizes the unveiling of the watch related to the event. Zenith, celebrating in 2016 the second year of its partnership with the race, once again an El Primero Chronomaster 1969 base to define this watch. The choice is logical since its open dial, which offers a view of the regulating organ of the movement, is a real tribute to the mechanics. However, I would have liked that Zenith dares a different choice and uses a separate base to that of 2015 since the brand had more time this year to design the watch than the year before. The Zenith catalog has enough references that could have been adapted to this context and so to offer a sharper visual break with the watch of the edition 2015.

Anyway, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition 2016 is a very nicely made piece. Its slate gray dial is very successful because it features a wide color palette, which can become very bright or dark. And it is obviously a nod to the race and to the country which hosts it, because like with the 2015 Edition, the dial is vertically crossed by blue, white, red lines, which extend onto the strap. These color accents brighten the dial and add a hint of originality that I personally find very enjoyable. Taking into account the dominant color of the dial and the harmony it creates with the stainless steel case, I tend to find the version of this year more refined than last year one which gave the impression to be more on the casual side.




Yet, and this is the paradox, the strap of the Edition 2016 is frankly not more dressed or elegant  than the blue alligator leather strap with protective rubber which was used with the watch in 2015! Zenith surprises us at this level with a textile strap with two strands using the usual folding clasp of the brand. Aesthetically speaking, this choice is wise. The strap combines perfectly with the dial and contributes to the convincing visual rendering of the watch. From a practical point of view, it's a different story because the lightness and flexibility of the strap make it quite painful to use with the clasp. I would have much preferred a "classic" NATO or a pin buckle but in the first case the watch would have lost a part of its elegance.




The other elements of the watch are not really surprising and consistent with the quality of the brand. The case, which has a diameter of 42mm, nicely alternates polished and brushed parts while the pushers are discreetly decorated with blue and red thin stripes. The movement is obviously the El Primero 4061 featuring a 5hz frequency and a power reserve of around fifty hours. The movement is visible through the transparent back even if the logo of the Tour Auto on the glass spoils a bit the pleasure to see it. You can also note the use of silicon escape wheel and lever, clearly visible through the dial opening. Despite its venerable age, the El Primero movement is none the less a reference in the world of chronograph calibers because, beyond its high frequency it offers a flawless daily use: accurate and reliable, with a good winding efficiency, it is the perfect companion for a watch that celebrates beautiful machines. It will certainly be less capricious than some of them even though I wish to all the participants to reach the finish line in Cannes the 24th of April without any technical issue!




The El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition 2016, available in the context of a limited edition of 500 pieces, is a watch which is faithful to the spirit of the event with which it is linked. Its beautiful dial color and the combination created with the the strap are  its best assets. However, I would have appreciated that Zenith used a different starting point to demonstrate greater boldness and creativity and to better differentiate with the watch released in 2015.

Thanks a lot to the team of the BlackDress agency.

Pros:
+ A very pretty dial color
+ The combination with the strap
+ The performance of the El Primero movement

Cons:
- The flexibility of the strap makes it impractical with the folding clasp
- The same base than the last year watch

This message has been edited by foversta on 2016-04-16 12:09:08

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