Zenith

Being visited by a Zenith Rainbow ...

 

Last Friday, a holiday here, we received a visit of a dear friend that was/is struggling with his digital camera.

He went with his camera (a Canon S100 that I also have one) and, of course, a watch to be used as photo model (A beautiful an immaculate Omega Constellation).

We discussed some points like lens aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc. and then we went to the practical side.

He as shooting pictures from his Connie then I saw in his wrist ... A Zenith Rainbow!

He knows that I am fanatic about  any El Primeiro, in special about the Rainbow fly back.

Then I remember that he acquired this Rainbow a long time ago and I even advised him to go for it.

I removed the watch from his wrist and took a few pictures.

Later, in front a nice cup of coffee and a slice of fresh baked apple cake (by my wife) we had a long chat about the El Primero and the Rainbow.

Let's see some of the pictures:

1) The Rainbow in full glory. I love the case (sort of satin finish). Very understated and very cool.

2) His watch has Tritium lume. Great patina. My old one (that was robbed) had Luminova.

3) The case back with the Zenith "coat of arms".

Page 267 of the Zenith "Bible" by Manfred Rossler states that "The back of the case is decorated with the engraved profile of this ship (The Rainbow, that took part of the 15th America's Cup)". This is not the case of the Zenith Rainbow Fly Back.

Some facts/curiosities about the Rainbow:

1) The crown is not signed with the common, at that time, Zenith star.

2) The "Zenith Rainbow Fly Back" does not have screw in crown.

3) The internal bezel shows "Telemeter" units. Telemeter is used to measure distance from an event. Why Zenith did this, I don't know.


Now let's see some advertizing material, from 1997/1998 that I got from the Web:

Inside, there is a Zenith El Primero caliber 405 (Or 405z) that adds the fly back to the solid El Primero caliber 400(Z).

This is, by my taste, an almost perfect watch. Rock solid, understated that shows that quality does not requires bling.

I'm reading a lot about the El Primero history and I may have some novelties on a near future.

It deals about Martel Watches and the invention of the El Primero. Stay tuned.

Cheers and a great week to all,

Nilo

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