AndrewD[HoMe Moderator]
12829
Zenith Prime (Reference 01.0010.420)
Jun 16, 2008,00:10 AM
Hi All (and bonjour to Jerome),
My example is the Prime, the first of the hand wound chronographs, produced from 1995 to 1999 and then continued as the 40mm Class El Primero HW.
The Prime carries the Calibre 420 column wheel El Primero chronograph movement beating at the trademark 36,000vph. The movement has 25 jewels and a 55-hour power reserve. The case measures 38x11mm and is water resistant to 30m. This is the steel version, but the Prime was also available in 18 carat gold plate.
Although Zenith’s place in history is cemented in the El Primero as the first automatic chronograph, I particularly enjoy wearing the Prime as a ‘dress’ chronograph because of its relatively demure (by today’s standards) 38mm diameter and because it is slightly thinner than its parent automatic (Cal. 400) El Primero. It also has an ‘old world’ design aesthetic that I find very attractive.
Andrew
Comments:
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Zenith – please post your favourites
By: AndrewD : June 15th, 2008-23:58
Dear Purists Zenith has become somewhat of a black sheep in recent years. However, they have a long and important history and we have great respect for the El Primero automatic chronograph movement for its place in that history. While some of the more rec...
Zenith Prime (Reference 01.0010.420)
By: AndrewD : June 16th, 2008-00:10
Hi All (and bonjour to Jerome), My example is the Prime, the first of the hand wound chronographs, produced from 1995 to 1999 and then continued as the 40mm Class El Primero HW. The Prime carries the Calibre 420 column wheel El Primero chronograph movemen...
Nice watch!
By: Dje : June 16th, 2008-02:58
Hi Andrew, Nice watch! I'm glad to see that you keep enjoying it (not too worried though). This watch was my favorite Zenith for long years, and my favorite among my watches for long too. I still own a Rainbow Flyback (black dial) that I wear less as it h...
Since you mention it . . .
By: Enthusiast : June 16th, 2008-13:04
I have long lusted after a sonnerie, preferably a carillon, but the wristwatch prices have been beyond my means. So I decided to look at pocket watch sonneries. I have just agreed to buy, but not yet taken possession of, a Zenith Grande Sonnerie Clockwatc...
Legibility
By: AndrewD : June 16th, 2008-15:12
Thanks Kong, Nice dial and very legible, including the subdials. I didn't mention it earlier but you have reminded me to say how accurate my Zenith is. On paper it is well due for a routine service, but I can't bring myself to put it in when it keeps+2sec...
Elite HW
By: aaronm : June 16th, 2008-17:26
not mine, sadly:...
My New Zenith
By: fschrils : June 18th, 2008-13:16
Although I have for many years collected moderately priced vintage watches, I have not purchased a new timepiece in more than two decades. However, I recently broke my streak by purchasing (at a relatively reasonable price) a new Zenith Chronomaster Open ...
Welcome and thanks for posting
By: AndrewD : June 18th, 2008-20:52
The Open T still draws on the traditional clean design of the earlier El Primero’s and the grey dial is the nicest of the range; good choice. Do you have it on strap or bracelet? It must be nice to see that balance wheel blazing away at 36,000 vph without...
You're Welcome...
By: fschrils : June 19th, 2008-06:01
My Open T has a black alligator strap (with metal clasp) that really adds to the watch's elegance, and I often find myself mesmerized by the oscilating "heart beat" on the face of the watch. Frankly, it was the rather unusual window on the watch's face th...
El Primero Striking 10th...steel or rose gold
By: swjoseph : January 3rd, 2011-22:36
enjoying the second hand and one would start to appreciate zenith's decision to play up the 10/th second foudroyante and make it the center hand, echoing it's position as the key of this distinguished chronograph. i hope you don't mind some stock photo...
