Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Chronograph 36’000 VpH ref. 03.2040.400/69.C494 – NEW

During the 1960s, four major brands got into intense competition over creating the first-ever self-winding chronograph wristwatch. Heuer and Breitling collaborated and received the support of Hamilton, Buren, and Dubois-Depraz, whereas Zenith and Seiko chose to go their own ways. By early 1969, all four companies had come up with a chronograph wristwatch that featured automatic winding, and they had all done remarkable jobs. The Caliber 11 from Heuer, the 6139 from Seiko, and Zenith’s El Primero all proved to be accurate and reliable, well-engineered movements, each of which would go on to inspire a diverse line-up of respective successors. The watch on offer here – ref. 03.2040.400/69.C494 – is one of those successors.
This Chronomaster Chronograph might be the model that strikes the best equilibrium between the traditional El Primero design and the contemporary design language of the 21st century. It comes equipped with a balanced 42 mm stainless steel case topped by a smooth bezel and features some of the most iconic visual staples associated with Zenith’s landmark timepiece. Namely, an aggressive case architecture, а tri-color, tri-compax silver dial, a star-tipped chronograph hand, and steel applied hour indices and sword-shaped hands. As for the pushers and crown – they look as if they’ve been lifted straight from the 1969 original.
Inside, proudly displayed by the exhibition caseback, the column-wheel caliber 400 B is assuredly ticking away.
Our offering is brand new, comes in a full set of boxes and papers, and is outfitted with a beautiful OEM alligator strap.

Covered by manufacturers international warranty (started in 02.2021)