After celebrating the 50th anniversary of Cohiba with the creation of three commemorative limited editions, the Manufacture Zenith is now paying tribute to this Cuban legend with the production of a watch that fits into the very heart of its collection.
Half a century after their creation, the Habanos Cohiba and El Primero watches still retain the attributes that have forged their reputation and their multi-award-winning excellence. More than 50 years ago in 1962, the first lines of the El Primero movement appeared on a drawing board.
The aim was to create an iconic watch for the 100th anniversary of the Manufacture Zenith in 1965. Given the enormity of resolving the complexity of this legendary calibre, this watchmaking feat was finally achieved in 1969.
Meanwhile, the ‘flagship of all Habanos ’, Cohiba was in 1966. Time has now united two icons through the creation in 2016 of a unique watch collection celebrating their excellence, expertise and supremacy.
The El Primero “Legend of Cohiba” proudly houses the emblematic El Primero movement – the world’s most precise high-frequency chronograph punctuating the time at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations an hour and markings tenths of seconds – sets aside its legendary tricolour light grey, anthracite and blue outfit to adopt the colours of the ‘Flagship of all Habanos ’.
The case-middle of its 42 mm pink gold case is engraved with the year 1966. The small seconds at 9 o’clock reveals the profile of the aboriginal chief Taíno – the emblem of the brand Cohiba.
The dial displays the golden nuances of a tobacco leaf and bears the signature Cohiba rings. In a subtle reminder of measurement, its emblematic lines cross the dial, vertically accentuating the width of the watch, just like a cigar on which they indicate the diameter.
Complemented by a brown alligator leather strap with orange and yellow-tinted lining, the watch comes in an exclusive wooden presentation box featuring the same colours as the legendary Habanos.
Technical details
Model: Zenith El Primero 36,000 VPH Legend of Cohiba
Reference: 18.2041.400/76.C795
Movement
El Primero 400 B, automatic column-wheel chronograph
Calibre 13¼“` (Diameter: 30 mm)
Movement thickness: 6.6 mm
Components: 326
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
31 Jewels
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
Tachymetric scale
Date indication at 6 o’clock
Case
Material: 18-carat rose gold
Special case decoration with the founding date of Cohiba: 1966
Diameter: 42 mm
Diameter opening: 37.1 mm
Thickness: 12.75 mm
Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides adorned with Cohiba logo
Water-resistance: 10 ATM
Dial
Brown-toned sunray-patterned dial bearing special Cohiba decorations and logos
Hour-markers: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Strap
Brown alligator leather strap with special COHIBA color protective rubber lining
18-carat rose gold pin buckle
