ZENITH - Lot 27

ZENITH El Primero Ref. G 583 No. 009 E138 18k (750) yellow gold wristwatch made in 350 pieces Case: round in 18k (750) yellow gold, smooth bezel, crown signed Zenith with stylized period logo, round push-pieces, clipped back, signed Dial: silvered, black and gold applied hour markers with tritium dot at their tips, black painted baton minute track, black and gold luminescent hands, red central chronograph hand with luminescent rectangle, 30-minute totalizer counter at 3 o'clock, date window at 4:30 o'clock, 12-hour totalizer counter at 6 o'clock, perpetual seconds at 9 o'clock, signed Movement: automatic with oscillating weight signed Zenith El Primero Calibre 39 jewels 3019 PHC Strap/clasp: bracelet and service pin buckle Diameter: 37 mm Gross weight: 52 g Condition report given for information only: Sold as is, traces of wear on the whole, light scratches on the back, multiple revision markings on the case back, dial with light traces on the counter at 6 o'clock, movement and complications operational, plan to have it serviced, no warranty. At the dawn of the 70s, several watch brands were attempting to produce an automatic chronograph caliber. Several brands, such as Seiko and Heuer, attempted to produce an automatic caliber, but it was Zenith that came out on top with the El Primero 3019 PHC. With its 36,000 alternations and three counters, this movement will set the benchmark for automatic chronograph calibers! The El Primero equipped several Zenith models, but in 1976 the brand wanted to innovate and move into the quartz and hybrid watch market, and decided to cease production of this movement. However, watchmaker Charles Vermot's unconditional love of the movement led him to conceal the movement's parts and industrial tools. This choice of preservation was the best one, and in the early '80s, the brand changed course and returned to mechanical movements, including the El Primero, which was selected by Rolex for the first automatic Daytona, proof of the high quality of this movement. Our model is equipped with the first iteration of the El Primero: caliber 3019 PHC, and is limited to 350 pieces.