Pre-Owned Zenith El-Primero 40991714/AS09210

Zenith, while not a household name, is certainly a known name in the world of watches - particularly in collecting circles. The primary reason?

The El Primero.

The movement was a culmination of a years-long research and development process undertaken by Zenith to develop the world’s first automatic chronograph movement. While other brands sought to achieve the same feat — including Heuer (in concert with Breitling and Hamilton) and Seiko — Zenith intended to make the El Primero something entirely unique. Instead of taking an automatic module and merely sandwiching it onto an existing chronograph mechanism, Zenith fully integrated the two; moreover, the movement would be a high-beat calibre, offering significant added accuracy - and it offered a quickset date mechanism, to boot!

Zenith announced the El Primero on January 10, 1969.. This was four years later than Zenith had intended: the brand had begun developing the calibre in 1963, hoping to bring it out for Zenith’s centennial in 1965. Nevertheless, on that winter day in 1969, Zenith proudly displayed a working model of its chronograph.

This particular example from the first generation Reference A386, is the watch that collectors and enthusiasts probably visualize when they hear the name 'El Primero', This early MK1 example features a tidy 38mm stainless steel case with an acrylic crystal, a signed crown, and pump pushers. Inside, it has the archetypal white dial with applied indices, tritium luminous plots and handsets, and the iconic 'tri-colore' overlapping subsidiary register layout with a gray outer minute track and a silver tachymeter scale, and a red center chronograph hand.

Powered by the Calibre 3019 PHC El Primero automatic chronograph movement, this piece comes fitted to a correct stainless steel Gay Freres 'ladder' bracelet with a signed flip-lock clasp dated 1971.

For the collector who desires a chronograph with a fascinating history, breathtaking looks, and proper pedigree, the El Primero absolutely needs to be on your radar.