The calibre El Primero is celebrating its 50th anniversary: a reason for the watch manufacture Zenith to launch a new watch with this movement. Therefore the brand presents the new Chronomaster 2 in two limited editions each containing 250 pieces – made of titanium featuring an original ceramic bezel and skeleton dial.
The caliber El Primero 3600 was newly interpreted without changing the DNA of the original movement. It was equipped with a stop-seconds device and autonomy increased to a full 60 hours – integrating more functions and displays. Also new are a tenth-of-a-second display on a scale with 100 graduations, the balance-stop device, the possibility to reverse the crown sequence and adjust the wheels and gears, the enlarged and centred design of the column wheel and, most visibly of all, an optimised lateral clutch that now includes two intermediate wheels. True to the original the caliber features a 1/10th of a second chronograph function, along with integrated construction incorporating a lateral clutch, a column wheel and a ballbearing-mounted central rotor. The movement will be gradually introduced on other models in the range and equipped with various new functions.
For introducing the revised El Primero the manufacture chose a contemporary collection: the ‘Chronomaster’. It is marked by a modernized look with a light titanium case, a black or blue ceramic graduated bezel, as well as a skeleton dial with solid counters and star-shaped oscillating weight. The dial is held in three colours – light grey, blue and anthracite. The display is distinguished by a direct tenth-of-a-second read-off. The red chronograph hand makes a full sweep of the dial in ten seconds, indicating with each jump successive tenths of a second on the 100 graduations of the flange and bezel.
Besides measuring and displaying tenths of a second, the Chronomaster 2, operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, features hour and minute functions in the centre, 60-minute and 60-second chronograph counters, running small seconds and date. The watch offers a power reserve of 60 hours and is delivered with a blue or black alligator leather strap.