Codenamed 3019 PHC, this movement was renamed “El Primero”, which means “the first” in Spanish. In 1969, at a press conference held on January the 10th, Zenith announced the imminent launch of the first fully integrated, high-frequency, automatic chronograph movement.
With all these requirements, the bar was raised so high that the project could not be completed in time for the centenary in 1965 but it required four more years. A relatively small size and a date indication were additional specifications. And to make things even more challenging, the beating frequency of the chronograph had to be high enough to make it the most accurate chronograph wristwatch in the world measuring 1/10th of a second. Instead of considering the easier option to add a chronograph module to a base movement, Zenith had a more ambitious plan: the chronograph function had to be fully integrated within the mechanism and actuated by a column wheel rather than by an easier-to-implement cam. In 1962, Zenith began developing the idea of creating the first automatic chronograph in watchmaking history with the ambition to launch it in 1965, on occasion of the centenary of the Manufactury. The 38 pieces will exclusively be sold through Zenith retailer timelessluxwatches.While automatic movements for “solo-tempo” or three-hand watches started becoming popular in the 1940s and 1950s, no automatic chronograph movements had been manufactured yet. Price for the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero 38mm Final Edition will be $8,800 on the three leather straps and $9,850 on bracelet with the three leather straps, as well. There will also be a steel bracelet option that includes those three leather straps, though I am not certain about the exact number out of 38 that will have this bracelet option. The 38mm Chronomaster Final Edition is going to come with three calf-leather straps in red, blue, and gray that match the subdial windows. 3523.80.00 that is 39mm and pretty perfect. I actually quite like sub-40mm chronographs and own an old Omega Speedmaster Reduced Ref. Of course, I’m going by memory from the last time I wore a 38mm El Primero, but I have done so on several occasions. I believe the lug-to-lug height for this soon-to-be-gone case is just around 46mm, which is more than one would guess for a 38mm, but it makes for a very wearable watch. The 38mm-wide case should be just around 12.45mm-thick and has 100M of water resistance, as is the case with previous iterations. Of course, it operates at a frequency of 36,000 vph and has a 50-hour power reserve. Zenith uses the El Primero 4061 movement here, which is the no-date model, and I think the type of enthusiasts who will pick up one of these 38 pieces likely will likely appreciate this choice.
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