The Zenith El Primero Lightweight

Zenith watches have always been popular among those who know a bit about watchmaking. Though the brand is fairly well known it is not as prevalent in ads as Rolex, Breitling, Cartier, or even Omega. Zenith has procured their loyal following through constant innovation and a dedication to the fundamental tenets of horology. The Zenith El Primero Lightweight is not your regular El Primero movement (it must be noted though that the words ‘regular’ and ‘El Primero’ shouldn’t be in the same sentence).

The El Primero Lightweight movement earns its name by being a full 25% lighter than standard El Primeros. This movement achieves this by being constructed from titanium – a metal noted for being both lighter and stronger than stainless steel.

This particular El Primero is the caliber 400 and it is the lightest caliber on the market with a weight of just 15.9 grams. This lightweight movement features the same high frequency vibrations per hour of 36,000 as all the other classic El Primero calibers. The caliber 400 is self-winding mechanical and it carries a power reserve of 50 hours. Decorating this caliber is a Côtes de Genève pattern with a spindrift logo on the oscillating rotor.

The dial is skeletonized with three counters, each featuring a different color. The continuous seconds counter at the 9 position is in light grey, while the chrono minutes and chrono hours are found at the 3 and 6 positions and hued blue and dark grey respectively. The chronograph seconds are displayed using a central hand made from blued steel. On all of the markers and rhodium plated hands on this timepiece is Super-LumiNova® SLN C1.

This piece from Zenith is made from aluminum and carbon fiber with titanium chrono pushers and main crown. The watch features a diameter of 45mm and a case height of 13.2mm. The sapphire crystal protecting the dial is coated with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. There is another sapphire crystal, this time on the case back for the admiration of the lightweight movement.

Finishing this watch is a black rubber strap with a Nomex coating. The rubber strap is fastened with a black PVD titanium folding clasp. The Zenith El Primero lightweight is made water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet). This amazing watch from this innovative brand is limited in its production to an exclusive series of just 250 pieces set for distribution worldwide. This model like all Zenith timepieces enjoys a 2 year international guarantee.