The Zenith El Primero 410 for 2014

Last year, Zenith enthralled us with the release of the El Primero 410 Limited Edition. At Baselworld, Zenith is set to release a non-limited version of this very successful piece. The main difference between the two models is the dial color, which was slate grey for last year’s model and is now in white for this year’s edition. The El Primero 410, as the name suggests, is fitted with the proprietary El Primero movement, considered one of the top movements in the world.

The El Primero was originally released in 1969 and since then has been featured in a myriad of models and manufacturers from Movado to Rolex. This movement’s claim to fame is the high frequency of the oscillations, which stand at 36,000 VpH. Such a high rate of alternations allow watches with this type of movement to measure smaller intervals of seconds, and therefore carry a greater rate of precision. This model features a minimum of 50 hours of power reserve once fully wound. The oscillating rotor used to wind the mainspring is decorated with Cotes de Genève designs and it features the five pointed star, which represents this tremendous watchmaker.

The case on this model is crafted from stainless steel and it features both polished and brushed finishes adding depth to the aesthetics of the El Primero 410. The size of this watch is a stately 42mm. The watch raises just 12.75mm off of the wrist, which is average case height for a watch fitted with the array of complications of the El Primero 410. Zenith outfits this timepiece with a brown alligator leather strap with a rubber lining and stainless steel triple folding clasp. Like the crystal protecting the dial, the case back also features a sapphire crystal displaying the award winning movement. The crystal on the dial is domed and is anti-reflective for enhanced legibility.

The dial is classically styled, with clear inspiration from the 70’s approach to dial layouts. As stated before, the dial is white and it features rhodium toned indexes and hands coated with Super-LumiNova SLN C1. The chronograph uses subdials at 3 and 6 counting the minutes and hours respectively. Sharing the 6 counter is a 29 ½ day moon phase. The register at 9 displays the continuous seconds. The chronograph seconds are indicated through a blue, central hand. This model features a date aperture at the 4:30 position, while the day and month are visible through apertures at the 10 and 2 positions respectively. On the flange is a tachymeter and on the ring just below is a 100^th of a second scale. This piece is water resistant to 100 meters (10 ATM).