Zenith previewed a pre-production version of the El Primero Lightweight at SIHH, and now at Baselworld, the brand unveils the final product. Significant changes include a decision not to include the Striking 10th complication, which in turn lowers the final price by about $3,000. Find images, complete details and technical specifications inside.
Zenith set out to remove as much weight from the El Primero as possible. Beginning with the movement, the manufacture created the mainplate and five bridges from titanium. The 45 mm case is aluminum and carbon fiber. The result is a 25% lighter weight.
The openworked dial provides a bird’s eye view of a skeletonized El Primero high-beat movement. The hollowed-out facetted hour markers bear a luminescent coating, while the light grey, blue and anthracite counters pick up the three emblematic colors of the 1969 El Primero.
The El Primero Lightweight will be priced at about $19,000. It will be limited to 250 pieces. Find complete technical specification below.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CHRONOGRAPH FUNCTION
36,000 VIBRATIONS/HOUR FOR 1/10TH OF A SECOND PRECISION
MOVEMENT EL PRIMERO 400B, AUTOMATIC
CALIBRE: 13‘‘‘ (DIAMETER : 30 MM)
THICKNESS: 6.60 MM
328 PARTS
31 JEWELS
36,000 VPH (5 HZ)
OSCILLATING WEIGHT ADORNED WITH “CÔTES DE GENÈVE” MOTIF
OVER 50-HOUR POWER RESERVE
FUNCTIONS
HOURS AND MINUTES IN THE CENTER
SMALL SECONDS AT 9 0’CLOCK
DATE WINDOW AT 6 O’CLOCK FEATURING A RED DOT
12-HOUR COUNTER AT 6 O’CLOCK
30-MINUTE COUNTER AT 3 O’CLOCK
STRAP NOMEX-COATED BLACK RUBBER, TRIPLE FOLDING CLASP
45 MM CARBON CASE
OPENWORKED DIAL WITH THREE COUNTER COLOURS
FACETED HANDS AND HOUR-MARKERS COATED WITH SUPERLUMINOVA SLN C1
TITANIUM COMPONENTS:
MAINPLATE, BARREL BRIDGE, BALANCE BRIDGE, CHRONOGRAPH BRIDGE, LEVER BRIDGE AND LEVER-WHEEL BRIDGE
REFERENCE
10.2260.400/69.R573
250-PIECE LIMITED EDITION
Beautiful watch. I love the carbon fiber and aluminum case and 45 mm is a great size. I don’t know why the decided against the Striking 10th complication. If you’re buying a $19,000 watch and another $3,000 matters, you have no business buying that watch.