Zenith focuses firmly on lightness, daring and innovation in an exclusive version of its El Primero Striking 10th chronograph featuring high-tech materials. Issued in a 100-piece limited edition, the El Primero Lightweight model teams a titanium and silicon movement with an ultra-sporty carbon case. It signals the dawn of a new era in the fabulous history of the legendary El Primero calibre.
At the time of its launch in 1969, the El Primero calibre overturned existing conventions by asserting itself as the first-ever automatic chronograph to boast an integrated construction. Also impressing observers by beating at the exceptional frequency of 10 vibrations per hour (36,000 vibrations per hour), it is still the world’s most precise series-made chronograph calibre. Over the years, Zenith has steadily fine-tuned its legendary movement in order to optimize its precision, reliability and its performance.
Zenith is now taking a new turn by unveiling a sportier and even more avant-garde version of the El Primero Striking 10th. The watchwords are lightness, performance and originality. Through combining technological innovation with creative daring, the engineers and watchmakers of the Manufacture were tasked with the mission of reducing the weight of the watch to an absolute minimum, yet without making any compromises on its precision, its sturdiness and its reliability – just as an engine designed for competition is optimized while bearing all these factors in mind. The sizable feat began with the movement. Based on its latest research relating to new materials, Zenith chose titanium —a light and resistant metal widely used in aeronautics— to machine the main elements of the movements that are the heaviest parts of the watch when they are made in brass: namely the main plate and five bridges —barrel bridge, balance bridge, pallet bridge, pallet-wheel bridge and chronograph bridge. The Manufacture has also maintained the silicon double chronograph wheel, while adding a lever and an escape-wheel made from the same high-tech, light, anti-magnetic material that is harder than steel and guarantees excellent efficiency. The result is a one-quarter lighter engine weighing just 15.45 grams —compared with 21.10 grams for a similar classic movement.
In terms of the watch exterior, the designers reworked and subtly enlarged to 45mm the original 42mm case of the El Primero Striking 10th, while also seeking to make it as light as possible on the wrist. The choice of carbon with its fine black color and its checkered effect evoking the world of competitive racing fits the bill perfectly, while also reinforcing the technical and sporty look of the model. The inner structure of the case is made of ceramized aluminum, a cutting-edge material that is at once light, sturdy and hard —1800 Vickers, as against 160-200 for 316L steel. The two chronograph push pieces are in titanium. The openworked lugs accentuate the aerodynamic profile of the watch and ensure a perfect flow into the integrated black rubber and high-performance Nomex synthetic fiber strap equipped with a triple folding clasp providing optimal security and comfort.
The new El Primero Lightweight is also distinguished by its highly original dial featuring a dynamic reinterpretation of the collection’s design codes. Openworking the central part further enhanced the overall lightness-oriented effect while providing a clear view of the El Primero calibre —also visible through the transparent case back. The disc-type date display has been lightened and reworked with pierced numerals standing out on a small red disc at 6 o’clock. The faceted hands have been hollowed as much as possible and then highlighted by a luminescent coating. The light grey, blue and anthracite colors recapture the three emblematic colors of the 1969 El Primero chronograph that have become iconic brand features. The red sweep seconds hand with its small Zenith star accurately measures feats to the nearest tenth of a second — just as on the dashboards of the greatest racing champions.
Sporty, contemporary and decidedly masculine by nature, the El Primero Lightweight model brings a distinctive touch to the Zenith collections, while powerfully confirming the innovative capacities and the creating daring cultivated by the Manufacture. With its avant-garde technology and its youthful, dynamic look, it shows that the El Primero calibre still has a bright future ahead of it and doubtless heralds new developments as the brand with the guiding star is gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2015.
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