Zenith has led the world with their technical innovations and mastery of various complications. The El Primero Rattrapante holds true to this statement with its functionality and overall precision. As the name suggests this model uses the spectacularly efficient El Primero mechanical self-winding movement which beats at an astounding 36,000 vph.
The high rate of alternations is the secret to the El Primero’s success as it ensures a higher degree of accuracy than most other watches which oscillate at 21,600 0r even 28,800 vph. The El Primero has been used by nearly every brand from Movado to Rolex and was one of the first automatic chronograph movements in existence when it was patented in 1969.
The case of the Rattrapante is made from brushed and polished stainless steel and it carries dimensions of 44mm for the diameter and stands on the wrist with a case thickness of 16mm. The bezel is fixed and holds the highly scratch resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The prominent crown is ridged while the polished double chronograph push pieces stand on either side of it. Naturally, Zenith shows off the Cotes de Genève decorated movement through an exhibition case back.
This Zenith timepiece has a black dial with a white minute track and white second demarcations on the flange. The dial is also enhanced by the presence of a large double date window at the 6 o’ clock position. The continuous seconds subdial can be found at 9 while the chronograph minutes register is located at 3. Each of the hands and hour markers are made from rhodium and carry lume from the Superluminova series SLN C1.
A Rattrapante is a variation from the traditional chronograph where the user can record multiple times using the pushers. Rattrapantes are sometimes called double chronographs because of the secondary chronograph seconds hand. On this model the primary chronograph seconds hand is silver toned and tipped in red while the Rattrapante seconds hand is all red. Both hands carry the 5 pointed star logo of Zenith.
The black alligator leather strap employs a triple folding clasp to secure this piece to the wrist. The Zenith El Primero is made to resist water pressure of up to 100 meters (10 bars) and is backed by a worldwide accepted warranty. This model retails for $16,400.00 and is available around the world.
TAGS: Chronographs, Date, Double Chronograph, Double Date Window, Leather, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Rattrapante, Sapphire Crystal, Split Second Chronographs, Stainless Steel, Water Resistant