Zenith

For Only Watch 2013, Zenith donates the unique prototype tested for the development of the El Primero Stratos honouring Felix Baumgartner, the first supersonic man in history.

ONLY WATCH 2013

Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th Tribute to Felix Baumgartner - Prototype I/I

One-of-a-kind model developed by the Manufacture and the only prototype ever produced to develop and test the El Primero Stratos designed for Felix Baumgartner and which has become the first-ever supersonic watch.

In 1969, Zenith effectively launched the El Primero calibre by placing it on the landing gear of a Boeing 747 on the famous Paris-New York flight. Fully living up to the high expectations for this legendary movement, the watch was running as smoothly upon arrival as it had at the time of departure.

In 2012, it was from even higher, on the very edge of space, that Manufacture achieved a new historical feat as the creator of the very first watch to break the sound barrier (attaining a speed of Mach 1.25) in direct contact with the exterior. Resistant to sudden changes in pressure and temperature, as well as to extreme vibrations, this exceptional watch is a concentrated blend of the brand's identity codes: the three colours of the iconic counters are all there; the mechanism beats at the high frequency of the El Primero movement, the world's first automatic chronograph calibre; and the model also features the Flyback and Striking 10th (displaying tenths of a second via the sweep seconds-hand) functions.

Founded in Le Locle in 1865 by a visionary watchmaker, Georges Favre-Jacot, the Manufacture Zenith earned swift recognition for the precision of its chronometers with which it has won 2,333 chronometry prizes in a century and a half of existence: an absolute record in terms of pocket watches, onboard timers and wristwatches. Having earned fame thanks to its legendary El Primero calibre – an integrated automatic column-wheel chronograph movement launched in 1969 and endowed with a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour that ensures measurements accurate to the nearest 1/10^th of a second – the Manufacture Zenith has since developed over 600 movement variations. All Zenith watches are fitted with an in-house Zenith movement and are developed by the Manufacture in Le Locle. The latter currently stands at the exact spot where its founder built the first company workshop, thus physically embodying a continuity that is a rarity in itself.

The Principality of Monaco will be hosting the fifth edition of the exceptional "Only Watch" charity watch auction benefiting research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Recognized as the world's first charity watch auction, Only Watch will take place on September 28th in Monaco and will be conducted by the watch auctioneers, Antiquorum. 33 of the world's leading watch manufactures will each donate a unique timepiece specially created for the occasion.

The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy – promoter of Only Watch with Antiquorum Auctioneers and the Monaco Yacht Show, in order to help finance research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular disease affecting 1 in 3,500 boys, therefore 250,000 children, adolescents, and young adults around the world.

From September 6th, an international exhibit of the Only Watch collection of timepieces for men and women will travel the world: Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, New York, Geneva (complementary information on www.onlywatch.com from April 1st) and will be concluded by a presentation during the Monaco Yacht Show (September 25th to 28th). The auction will take place on September 28th at 11 a.m. (GMT+1) in the "Salle Belle Epoque" of the Hôtel Hermitage.

TECHNICAL DATA

EL PRIMERO STRATOS FLYBACK STRIKING 10TH TRIBUTE TO FELIX BAUMGARTNER - PROTOTYPE I/I

Movement

El Primero 4057B, automatic

Calibre: 13¼ ``` (Diameter: 30 mm)

Thickness: 6.60 mm

Components: 326

Jewels: 31

Frequency: 36,000 VpH – (5 Hz)

Power-reserve: min. 50 hours

Finishes: Oscillating weight with "Côtes de Genève" pattern.

Functions

Hours and minutes in the centre

Small seconds at 9 o'clock

Date indicator at 6 o'clock

1/10^th of a second flyback chronograph:

- 60-minute counter at 6 o'clock

- 60-second counter at 3 o'clock

1/10^th of a second indication by the chronograph hand

Case, Dial & Hands

Material: Stainless steel

Unidirectional rotating bezel

with black ceramic disc

Diameter: 45.5 mm

Diameter opening: 35 mm

Thickness: 14.10 mm

Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides

Case-back: Solid case-back with Stratos mission logo

Water-resistance: 10 ATM

Dials: Silver-toned sunray with 3 coloured counters

Hour-markers: Rhodium with SuperLuminova SLN C1, faceted

Hands: Rhodium with SuperLuminova SLN C1, faceted

Press Release