Pre-owned Zenith El Primero watches at unbeatable prices
The El Primero – from vintage to modern
Half a century after its introduction, the
El Primero caliber is still the most accurate chronograph movement produced in a series.
Zenith's El Primero Collection celebrates this success story with a wide variety of exquisite timepieces.
What makes the El Primero so special
If you are considering investing in a
Zenith El Primero watch, you can choose from a wide range of different models. In addition to the current collections, it is always worth taking a look at
second-hand El Primero watches, because the heart of every model is the legendary
El Primero calibre.
When the
construction of the movement was started in the 60s, the aim was to create a movement that could be operated
without additional modules. The movement was designed around a ball-bearing central rotor and a column wheel. This was supposed to ensure, that the self-winding mechanism could produce the maximum drive. This construction method proved to be successful because a special feature of this movement is its high frequency of
36,000 half oscillations per hour. This means that the seconds and chronograph hands advance very smoothly, in jumps of a tenth of a second. Simultaneously, the high number of oscillations also reduces the susceptibility to gravity or shocks. In spite of the high performance with which the movement runs, the El Primero has a power reserve of up to 50 hours. In addition to the movement, the
design of El Primero watches has also been popular among watch enthusiasts and, despite some modifications over the years, has always remained true to its basic form. The winding crown and two pushers for the start-stop function are located on the right side of the case. The tachymeter scale to measure the speed of an object is either located on the bezel or directly on the dial.
It is possible to buy a
pre-owned El Primero with various complications. The classic version is one with three totalizers for the small second, the 30-minute counter and the 12-hour counter at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock. However, you can also opt to buy an
El Primero with a moon phase. The date display is diagonally between 4 and 5 o'clock or straight at 6 o'clock. Originally designed for a case diameter of 38 mm, the El Primero line has been expanded to offer watches with a diameter of 42 mm. This makes it possible to consider the purchase of an El Primero regardless of wrist circumference.
How much does a used Zenith El Primero cost?
- Do you want to explore the history of the classic? With the Zenith El Primero (Ref. 03.2040.400/69.C494) you would be acquiring a reference that is based on the first model from 1969. At the same time, it is also the largest El Primero in the Watchmaster online shop with a case diameter of 42 mm. The three totalizers in blue, silver and black are based on the colour scheme of the original model. For € 4,690, you can purchase a pre-owned El Primero in very good condition with its original box and papers.
- The El Primero (Ref. 01.240.410) stands out with its detailed dial and complications. In addition to the three classic totalizers, the watch features a moon phase display, date, day of the week and month display. Its case diameter of 40 mm makes it an ideal companion for many types of wrists. You can purchase this reference for as low as € 3,990.
- If you are looking for a sporty chronograph, you are sure to find one in the El Primero (Ref. 02.1310.400). This model has a three-part stainless steel bracelet and a unidirectional rotating bezel with a black inlay and 60-minute scale. An illuminated dot helps to mark stop times. The three white totalizers at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock elegantly contrast with the black dial. The date display is located between 4 and 5 o'clock. This El Primero is priced at € 5,030.
- The Zenith El Primero (Ref. 01.0500.400/24) is an understated watch model with a diameter of 38 mm. Despite its small dimensions, the dial does not look crowded at all. The totalizers are arranged with sufficient space and instead of line indices or Roman numerals, Arabic numerals ensure good readability. This model is very well suited as a beginner's model at only € 2,190.
The eventful history of the El Primero
From a calibre to a collection
When discussing the
history of the El Primero collection, there is no way around telling the story of the
movement bearing the same name. In 1962, Zenith began working on a model that was to be something special. For the company's
100th anniversary, they wanted to unveil the
best chronograph in the world. This undertaking was successful – albeit only a few years after the anniversary. Nevertheless, the company had been faster than its competitors. A consortium of Breitling, Heuer, and two other watch manufacturers also wanted to introduce the first self-winding chronograph. Zenith, however, presented its
El Primero at the beginning of 1969, while the competition only announced its result in the form of the Chronomatic 11 in March of the same year. The name of the El Primero movement, "the first", was to remain a program.
The popularity of the high-speed movement grew steadily, as many major watch manufacturers were convinced of the
calibre's technical capabilities and incorporated it into their own chronographs. The best-known example of this is probably
Rolex, who used the
El Primero in their Daytona. However, they lowered the frequency of the oscillations to 28,800 half oscillations. Despite its undisputed quality, the El Primero and its technology would have almost disappeared from the picture forever.
In the 1970s, Zenith was acquired by the American
Zenith Radio Corporation, which wanted to concentrate on the distribution of the quartz movements that were popular at the time. Thanks to an employee who did not destroy the construction plans, movements, tools, and machines used to make the El Primero, but instead hid them, it was possible to start building the extraordinary calibre again after Zenith was sold to the Swiss group Dixi. This is also where the history of the
El Primero Collection begins. Zenith continuously improved the movement and simultaneously reduced the wear and tear of individual parts. After Zenith became part of the luxury goods group LVMH, Zenith was promoted as a
movement supplier within the group and the
El Primero and its collection became the
flagship of the brand.
Atlantic crossings, sound barriers, and the El Primero
To test the
durability of the watch, a
model of the El Primero was strapped to the landing gear of a Boeing 707 in 1970 and the
Air France flight AF015 was to take the watch from Paris to New York. The timepiece survived the flight as well as the extreme temperature differences of +4 to -62 degrees Celsius without damage or any loss of accuracy.
More than 40 years later, a
watch from the El Primero series once again
proved its ruggedness. This time, however, the
El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th was not mounted on a chassis, but was on the wrist of
Felix Baumgartner, making it the first chronograph to break the sound barrier. In this daring attempt to be the first to
break the sound barrier, man and watch are exposed to extreme acceleration, altitude, pressure and temperature differences. When Baumgartner landed safely in the New Mexican desert after his 9-minute jump, his El Primero watch also functioned perfectly.
More series from Zenith
- The striking watch models in the El Primero Stratos series stand out for their large case diameter and the striking color scheme of the totalizers and bezel. The case back is made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and allows a clear view of the movement.
- The Zenith Captain Central Second is a very elegant collection of dress watches. The three-hand models are eye-catching with their neat dial designs and interesting color scheme.
- The Zenith Elite Collection is known for its impressive variety. Both sporty and elegant models are available with leather wristbands and yellow gold cases. In addition to a date display at 3 o'clock, there is a small second complication at 9 o'clock.
- If you are looking for noble extravagance, you should take a look at the Chronomaster Series. The detailed dials not only show the moon phase, the date and the small second but also allow a look at the famous El Primero movement through a dial opening between 9 and 12 o'clock.
- The Zenith El Primero Rainbow enjoys great popularity among collectors. But even if you are not a lover of colourful watches, the series offers a tasteful alternative with stylish two-tone models in stainless steel and yellow gold.
