Zenith Grande Class El Primero watch

The Zenith Grande Class El Primero watch is a superb timepiece with fine horological provenance. With its superb, in-house mechanical chronograph movement, understated yet luxurious craftsmanship, and elimination of any design excesses, this Zenith watch is a particularly fine choice for classicists or anyone who reveres the history of this legendary Swiss manufacturer. Elegant and understated, the Zenith Grande Class El Primero watch's charm is manifested in its fine details--the 40mm case, crafted from stainless steel or 18K gold, shows off a brushed finish that contrasts pleasingly with the highly polished bezel and edge bevels. The dial, too, contributes to this impression and is a model of clarity, with the pleasingly harmonious date display and bi-compax chronograph subdials. Satin finished or decorated with a guilloche pattern, each dial is characterized by dauphine-style hands, and applied hour markers which alternate between indexes and Arabic figures.

Zenith equips the Grande Class El Primero watch with a sapphire caseback, a detail which watch lovers will certainly appreciate. This timepiece is animated by the superb Zenith El Primero 4002 caliber, a self-winding movement with a column wheel chronograph mechanism, and a rapid-set date display. The noble heritage of this exclusive Zenith mechanism can be traced back to the very first "El Primero" chronograph caliber introduced by Zenith in 1969. Like the first El Primero movement, the balance wheel of this chronograph beats at the extraordinarily rapid pace of 36,000 alternations per hour, a tempo that is the fastest of any chronograph movement made.

As a result of this, Zenith chronograph watches can subdivide seconds with impressive 1/10 second precision. Underscoring the exacting quality, precision and careful regulation by the Zenith watchmakers, each 4002 caliber movement has earned an official chronometer certificate from the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres (C.O.S.C.) This thorough 15-day test subjects each movement to various positions and temperatures, with a certain range of performance expected. The passage of these tests is proudly confirmed by the inscription "chronometer" on the dial of the Grande Class El Primero watch. The Zenith Grande Class El Primero timepiece is produced in stainless steel, as well as white, rose, or yellow gold. The watch is fitted with a strap in fine quality alligator or rubber as well as a triple deployant clasp that has been signed with the manufacturer's star insignia.