Two new exceptional timepieces – El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton & El Primero Skeleton Intense Black – join Zenith’s legendary El Primero line of watches.
Equipped with the legendary mechanisms and boasting a breathtaking opened worked design, these new timepieces radiate an imposing and distinguished presence. 45 mm of black ceramic frame a skeleton dial, in an impressive architectural display showcasing the intricacies of El Primero mechanisms.
These are complicated models with a fiery temperament: the first combines a tourbillon with a high-frequency chronograph, while the second deploys the spirited energy of a classic “El Primero” chronograph.
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| El Primero Skeleton Intense Black |
A new arrival at Zenith, ceramic no sooner enters the collection than it relinquishes the starring role to the legendary ‘engines’ inside: the El Primero Calibre 4035 automatic chronograph tourbillon movement; and El Primero Calibre 400B, heir to the world’s most precise series-made chronograph developed by Zenith in 1969.
Both are revealed through a deep black open-worked dial enlivened by red accents. Their swift-paced 5 Hz cadence drives the ruthenium-blackened, facetted and luminescent hands sweeping over matching hour-markers. Open-worked counters and a minute ring screw-secured to the movement enhance this three-dimensional display.
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| El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton |
Fashioned from black ceramic, their 45 mm-diameter case framing a skeleton dial conveys the image of perfectly mastered complexity. The El Primero Skeleton Tourbillon model associates the tourbillon with a high-frequency chronograph in resolutely futuristic mode.
The tourbillon carriage performing one rotation per minute is offset at 11 o’clock, while the open-worked chronograph counters form a figure eight. Beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour enabling a tenth-of-a-second display, the El Primero Skeleton chronograph movement also powers central hours and minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date functions. Both models have an over 50-hour power reserve.
The strong character of the El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton and El Primero Skeleton is accentuated by a black rubber strap – perforated for the tourbillon version and carbon fibre-coated for the chronograph – fitted with a titanium and black PVD-treated triple folding clasp.
Technical details
Model: Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton
Reference: 49.2520.4035/98.R576
Movement
El Primero 4035 B, Automatic
Calibre 16½“` (Diameter: 37 mm)
Movement thickness: 7.65 mm
Components: 342
Jewels: 35
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power-reserve: min. 50 hours
Finishes: Oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” motif
Functions
Hours and minutes in the centre
Tourbillon:
> The carriage is positioned at 11 o’clock
> The carriage makes one turn per minute
Chronograph:
> Central chronograph hand
> 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
> 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
Case
Material: Black ceramic
Diameter: 45 mm
Diameter opening: 37.8 mm
Thickness: 14,65 mm
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
Black elements screwed to the movement
Hour-markers: Ruthenium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova
Hands: Ruthenium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova
Strap
Black rubber strap
Black PVD-coated Titanium triple folding clasp
Model: Zenith El Primero Skeleton Intense Black
Reference: 49.2520.400/98.R578
Movement
Movement El Primero 400 B, Automatic
Calibre 13¼“` (Diameter : 30 mm)
Movement thickness: 6.6 mm
Components: 326
Jewels: 31
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power-reserve: min. 50 hours
Finishes: Oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” motif
Functions
Hours and minutes in the centre
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Chronograph:
> Central chronograph hand
> 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
> 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
Date indication at 6 o’clock
Case
Material: Black ceramic
Diameter: 45 mm
Diameter opening: 37.8 mm
Thickness: 14,05 mm
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
Black elements screwed to the movement
Hour-markers: Ruthenium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova
Hands: Ruthenium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova
Strap
Black rubber strap with carbon fiber coating
Black PVD-coated Titanium triple folding clasp
