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Zenith Follow Ref. SP 1301 An extremely attractive and very rare stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with date and brown tropical registers Circa 1970 37mm Diameter Case, dial and movement signed
Condition Report Sign up or Log in Manufacturer : Zenith Year : Circa 1970 Reference No : SP 1301 Case No : 231E688 Model Name : El Primero Material : Stainless steel Calibre : Automatic, cal. 3019, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap : Leather strap Clasp/Buckle : Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions : 37mm Diameter Signed : Case, dial and movement signed Accessories : Accompanied by Zenith presentation box Catalogue Essay The name El Primero does not simply refer to a watch model, but also to its movement. Launched in 1969, the El Primero caliber was simply revolutionary. It was one of the very first automatic chronograph movements, furthermore designed as a whole rather than being an automatic movement with an added chronograph module. In addition, it vibrated at 36’000 VPH, an astoundingly high frequency for a mechanical watch which ensured superior timekeeping performance. So highly regarded were these El Primero movements that they would later be selected by Rolex as the base on which to develop the movement of the first automatic Daytona chronograph (reference 16520). The present specimen is one of the earliest incarnations of this movement, dating to the 1970s. The case construction fully reflects the taste of the time, oriented on highly sculpted and angular designs. Such a construction can in this instance be fully appreciated thanks to the unpolished condition of this piece, allowing the beholder to admire every edge and facet in its original glory. The dial, however, is no less enthralling: the once-black outer track and subsidiary dials have evenly aged to an astoundingly charming cappuccino hue. Such a strong tropicalization not only highly enhances the aesthetic virtues of the piece, but it is furthermore an extremely rare occurrence and enormously enhances the appeal and collectability of this remarkable wristwatch. Read More Maker Bio Zenith Swiss • 1865 Follow Since Zenith's beginnings, founder George Favre-Jacot sought to manufacture precision timepieces, realizing quality control was best maintained when production was housed under one roof. Zenith remains one of the few Swiss manufacturers to produce their own in-house movements to this day. Today, the brand is best known for the "El Primero," the firm's most successful automatic chronograph movement. In an interesting twist of fate, the company that owned Zenith during the 1970s decided to move on to quartz movements and therefore sought to destroy the parts and tools necessary to make mechanical movements. One watchmaker realized this folly and hid the tools and parts before they were destroyed. In 1984, he returned them to Zenith so they could once again make the El Primero movement. View More Works