This is yet another watch with the famed El Primero chronograph movement. In this one, Zenith uses an automatic column wheel chronograph equipped with a flyback function. The design of the watch is utilitarian in nature with definite draws to a military era while keeping abreast of contemporary watchmaking ideals and a style that is intrinsically Zenith. Zenith doesn’t use the El Primero movement in every design but reserves its usage for models that require the precision and durability that this award winning movement provides.
The Stratos Flyback Chronograph is crafted from hypoallergenic satin finished stainless steel and 18k rose gold. This gent’s chronograph measures in at 45.5mm for the diameter and stands at 14.1mm for the case thickness making this a very well-proportioned chronograph. The unidirectional bezel is made from 18k rose gold with black indexes and Arabic numerals and features a notched perimeter adding a great degree of dexterity to this piece. The ridged main crown and lever push pieces are also crafted from 18k rose gold.
The case back is made sapphire crystal which evinces the El Primero chronograph movement. The movement is decorated on the oscillating weight by the Cotes de Genève. This movement also features a power reserve with a minimum of 50 hours and contains 31 jewels and 331 components. As with all El Primero movements, this one bears at an incredible 36,000 vph (6 Hz) guaranteeing a greater level of precision and accuracy.
The dial is white and its main features are the 3 overlapping totalizers at 3, 6, and 9. The chronograph subdials are located at the 6 and 3 for hours and minutes respectively, while the subdial at 9 counts off the true seconds and is always going. The flyback function on a chronograph is used to time rapidly successive events without the need to stop and return to zero. On the flange is located a telemetric scale. These scales were used quite regularly in times of war and could determine distance by the difference in speeds of light and sound. The hour markers and hands are made from rose gold plated rhodium and they all carry the Superluminova SLN C1 allowing for a perfect readout at night.
The links on the bracelet use 3 parts with the center link in 18k rose gold with a highly polished finish. The bracelet uses a triple folding clasp made from stainless steel. The stratos Flyback Chronograph is water resistant to 100 meters (10 atms) and uses the highly scratch resistant sapphire crystal as the dial window.
TAGS: Automatic Watches, Chronographs, Date, Double Date Window, Flyback, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Rose Gold, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Stainless Steel, Unidirectional Bezel, Water Resistant