In 1969, at a press conference held on January the 10th, Zenith announced the imminent launch of the first fully integrated, high-frequency, automatic chronograph movement. With all these requirements, the bar was raised so high that the project could not be completed in time for the centenary in 1965 but it required four more years. A relatively small size and a date indication were additional specifications. And to make things even more challenging, the beating frequency of the chronograph had to be high enough to make it the most accurate chronograph wristwatch in the world measuring 1/10th of a second. Instead of considering the easier option to add a chronograph module to a base movement, Zenith had a more ambitious plan: the chronograph function had to be fully integrated within the mechanism and actuated by a column wheel rather than by an easier-to-implement cam. In 1962, Zenith began developing the idea of creating the first automatic chronograph in watchmaking history with the ambition to launch it in 1965, on occasion of the centenary of the Manufactury. Each comes with a comfortable Black Cordura effect rubber wrist strap, finished with a folding clasp.While automatic movements for “solo-tempo” or three-hand watches started becoming popular in the 1940s and 1950s, no automatic chronograph movements had been manufactured yet.
The 50 Chronomaster El Primero C.01 watches produced are individually numbered. It also gives the watch an autonomy of around 50 hours. The high frequency self-winding 4061 movement offers 36,000 vibrations per hour, accurately measuring time to 1/10 th of a second. On this stylish dial, the time markers, encircled by a tachymeter scale, remain clearly legible in all light conditions thanks to the use of blue Super-LumiNova® throughout. The grey and white selected create a streamlined aesthetic, despite the presence of the chronograph and small second counters.
Gone are the traditional colors of the original. The Chronomaster El Primero C.01 is recognizable by the carefully selected tones of its dial, housed in a 38 mm steel case with a polished satin finish. The latter is made up of creatives, managers and manufacturers, many of whom work in the tech industry and live in Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area, in New York City and in Silicon Beach, Los Angeles. To celebrate 50 years of the El Primero movement, Zenith has just unveiled a limited edition, produced in collaboration with American club Collective, founded by Gabe Reilly and Asher Rapkin, exclusively for its membership of keen watch collectors. WELCOME TO THE CLUB The Le Locle-based manufacturer is celebrating the anniversary of its high frequency movement with a special edition, created in collaboration, and for, fine watchmaking club Collective.
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