Ornatus-Mundi
[Zenith]
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Zenith's El Primero in other brands' watches - what's your take?
The El Primero automatic chronograph movement has made history as the first integrated automatic chronograph. This alone is a commendable achievement.
But there is more to it: after the dawn of the quart crisis it was the first choice of many respected brands - because it was the only available fine automatic chronograph on the market! Unthinkable today, but in the early 1980s this was indeed the case...
Thus, it is no surprise that quite a number of respected brand opted for the El Primero to drive their automatic chronograph watches.
Here are a number of them (images taken from the web): First, Ebel (who incidentally were the very first to use the El Primero at all, even before Zenith themselves!):
Then, of course Rolex, who used the El Primero in a customised version, without date and a modified escapement (28'800 instead 36'000 vph; free-sprung balance). The modification actually was not done at Rolex., but by a dedicated group of watchmakers at Zenith, located in a separate room...
Then, Panerai...
Then, of course Rolex, who used the El Primero in a customised version, without date and a modified escapement (28'800 instead 36'000 vph; free-sprung balance). The modification actually was not done at Rolex., but by a dedicated group of watchmakers at Zenith, located in a separate room...
Then, Panerai...
... and Daniel Roth who used this engine to drive their very charming and characteristic chronographs:
The last contender I know of is Zenith's meanwhile sister company TAG Heuer, named the Calibre 36:
Do you know of any additional 'El Primero cuckoo's eggs'?
What is your take on such watches? Are they desirable (perhaps because they attest to the El Primero's unique position and qualities?)? Do you have a favourite or do you own such a piece (if so, which (pics please!!!)?)?
Cheers,
Magnus
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2015-01-13 05:29:15
More posts:
Zenith's El Primero in other brands' watches - what's your take?
The El Primero automatic chronograph movement has made history as the first integrated automatic chronograph . This alone is a commendable achievement. But there is more to it: after the dawn of the quart crisis it was the first choice of many respected b...
Thank you Marcus, can elaborate on Ebel
being the first to have an EP movement cased in one of their watches, ie. before the launch of the EP by Zenith on 10th January 1969? Always keen to learn more, advance thank you. Z'
"After the dawn of the quarts crisis it was the first choice of many respected brands..."
that was the context. Of course Zenith used it before after 1969, but they were not the first after the infamous 1970/1980 years... Magnus
You can add the Concord Impresario to this list...
Having examined the Concord Impresario in-person, I was very impressed with the coin-edge case finishing. It's a good looking watch with pleasant heft and a reasonable diameter. An El Primero watch with character, for sure. Due to Concord's re-branding ef...
How could I miss this?
This indeed is a fascinating piece, albeit its style is a bit polarising to me. Long gone times, indeed! Best, Magnus
My take
El Primero movement is one of my favourite movements. I like any wataches that housed with such movement (with or without modification). You see the biasness? To me, it enhances the quality and value of the watch. Thank you, Magnus. Regards Ling
Ling, that's interesting! Please tell us more...
about why you love this movement so much. Did your appreciation change over time, with so many fine automatic chronographs meanwhile on the market? For myself, I like the classical construction, which is still quite resemblant to the old manual wind movem...
Rolex Ratchet
I just noticed this for the first time, did rolex also replace the ratchet wheel with one of their red ones, but upside-down? a
What about Hublot and Bulgari
Hi all, Hublot uses it at the Spirit of Big Bang: ...and Bulgari for Octo Chrono: stere ...
Excellent examples... both square & very contemporary...
thanks for posting them. Am I right that in the Hublot I could see how the pushers act? Best, Magnus
El Primero in other brands
This is the list of other brands that have cased the El Primero that we came up with in another forum. Boucheron - in white gold, with cal 400Z branded "Boucheron El Primero" on rotor Concord - ( ? - 2002) Impresario - cal. 411 (without moonphase) Dior Ch...
Now THAT would be a great collection!
Great work, Lou, for putting this together! But one comment though: Wasn't Movado part of the development consortium? Thus, I would consider it 'in-house', perhaps? Best, Magnus
I don't think Movado contributed anything
El Primero had been in development for years - Zenith's original plan had been to prepare it for its centennial in 1965. The expertise for the movement came largely - probably entirely - from Martel, Universal Geneve's long time chronograph movement suppl...
