This PuristS article may shed some light...

Hi Andrew, when I read your post, the first pieces that came to mind were the Baroque El Primeros; elaborately finished using various techniques including engraving. When I searched for an image, this PuristS article was the first result!

http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/interviews/nataffeb03/index.htm

I recall seeing quite a few levels of finish over the years but the above example is the most prominent in my mind. I think the standard finish is good (better than many comparable in spec, price etc..) but I agree that a more elaborately finshed variant would make a great addition to the collection, although having said that, for me the beauty of the El Primero is as much technical as it is aesthetic. Much like other legendary chronograph movements, the legacy of its significance to the industry far outways any amount of glittering 'make-up', after all, not all that glitters is gold.

Dan

El Primero movement finishing

By: AndrewD : January 3rd, 2011-17:02

Hi All, I would describe the finish on the El Primero movements that I have seen as utilitarian and functional. I am wondering if Zenith has ever done a more elaborately finished version? Or perhaps a more elaborate rotor in the automatic versions? Annive...

This PuristS article may shed some light...

By: dannymc : January 3rd, 2011-17:29

A deft bit of research, Dan! A more recent post . . .

By: Dr No : January 3rd, 2011-18:00

. . . by SJX from 2009 showcased the last series of El Primero movements encased by Daniel Roth. These photos are suggestive . . . It would help to have a side-by-side comparison . . . cordially, Art...

It does look like the elves have been polishing those edges

By: AndrewD : January 3rd, 2011-21:37

When I formulated my question I meant to say that we should exclude El Primero movements used by other manufactures. Mainly because we can't be sure how they 'fiddled' with them. But the DR watch (which remains a bargain on the second hand market) does su...

Boucheron

By: grigo : January 3rd, 2011-22:11

I have a Boucheron XL MEC, a limited edition in rose gold with a Zenith El Primero movement. The movement is also in rose gold. I think that Boucheron and Zenith both belong to the same group, LVMH. Dior also puts El Primero movements in some of its limit...

Rolex daytona detuned to 28000vph

By: Hororgasm : January 3rd, 2011-22:16

I have one in SS, but I dare not open the caseback for a photo! Best, Horo

El Primero in other watches

By: LouS : January 4th, 2011-04:00

Andrew This is the list of other brands (I can't use the word "manufactures" in this context, can I?) that have cased the El Primero that we came up with in another forum. Can anyone add to it? Boucheron - in white gold, with cal 400Z branded "Boucheron E...

Well, besides the stripes on the rotor ...

By: Marcus Hanke : January 4th, 2011-05:03

... and the perlage I can see on but one bridge, this finish is not different from the finish I am used from Zeniths since fifteen years. Zenith's "functional" finish always was very good, which means the screwheads were immaculately polished, those screw...

I'm still not convinced ...

By: AndrewD : January 6th, 2011-03:39

I am looking at my 15 year old Prime with an illuminated 10x loupe and the finish on the levers in the DR picture, particularly the anglage and polishing looks superior in some areas. But pictures can lie, so I will wait until I have see more examples sid...

A more definite statement will be possible after our "inspection tour" ...

By: Marcus Hanke : January 7th, 2011-07:54

... or better: our manufactory visit. I hope we will be able to schedule it within the next months, and I promise to take my illuminated 10x loupe and the macro lenses with me. However, I have to admit that the time when I was impressed by specially eye-c...

Thanks for your comments on finishing

By: AndrewD : January 7th, 2011-15:03

... which I find interesting and worthy of further thought. While there are watches who's raison d'être seems to be to carry eye-bleeding finish, I tend to agree on functional finishing. My question in relation to the El Primero was more about differences...

"Eye-bleeding finish" - LOL ...

By: Marcus Hanke : January 8th, 2011-03:11

I love that phrase! I think that the affection for such a movement finish is also a question of the duration of enthusiasm for mechanical timepieces. Of course one is more easily impressed the earlier this stage of infection is: I recall when I was speech...