Marcus Hanke
[PuristSPro Moderator]
11297
Well, besides the stripes on the rotor ...
... 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 screws that were used for adjustment purposes were colour coded by perfect heat blueing. All levers had beveled edges.
I know that Zenith started to decorate the movement's upper side with perlage, and later with bevels, when the first "Open Heart" watches permitted a glimpse into a hitherto hidden area of the movement.
Regards,
Marcus
El Primero movement finishing
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...
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.thepu...
A deft bit of research, Dan! A more recent post . . .
. . . 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
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
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
I have one in SS, but I dare not open the caseback for a photo! Best, Horo
El Primero in other watches
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 ...
... 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 ...
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" ...
... 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
... 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 ...
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...