zenith el primero open heart power reserve

#Zenith el primero open heart power reserve how to

A horological icon of a movement, the new refinements and finishings make it truly worthy of an exhibition caseback (which is high praise from me). With blued screws and a blued, fully exposed column wheel, the El Primero 3600 Calibre also has a new satin-finished star-shaped rotor. Also, all the wheels have been individually improved and optimized down to the tooth to ensure proper torque. The lateral clutch has a patented system with two intermediate wheels instead of just one, with the escapement wheel powering the chronograph.

The lateral clutch and enlarged column wheel are updated from the El Primero 400, and Zenith did a magnificent job of creating an unobstructed view of these parts engaging with one another.

Some major features that are immediately of note are the addition of a hacking seconds, quick-set date function, and a longer power reserve of 60 hours, up from 50. There are actually fewer parts at 314 compared to 326, which is due to technological developments as well as the fact that Zenith has optimized and streamlined its manufacturing process so as to reduce the variety of jewels, screws, and other components that go into assembly. The El Primero 3600 Calibre operates at 36,000 vph (5 Hz) and has several upgrades and modifications from the well-used El Primero 400 calibre. If you’ll recall back in 2012, Felix Baumgartner broke the sound barrier in free-fall when he jumped 38,969.4 meters while wearing a Zenith Stratos Flyback Striking 10th that was outfitted with the 4052. By doing this, the one-second mark is where the ten-second mark would be on an ordinary chronograph. For the 4052, Zenith used a 100-tooth silicon wheel that would accelerate the chronograph hand to complete a rotation in 10 seconds instead of 60.

#Zenith el primero open heart power reserve how to

The high-frequency precision of the 36,000 vph El Primero has always theoretically allowed for measurements of time down to 1/10th of a second, but the issue was always how to realistically measure such a small increment of time on a watch. The El Primero 3600 Calibre is not entirely 100% new, as a version of it was released (let’s call it a soft launch) in the limited-edition Chronomaster 2 El Primero Striking Tenth from 2019 (the 50th anniversary of the El Primero, in case you forgot), but it is now being rolled out as a standard production calibre after some refinements.Ī little background first, in case you’re unfamiliar with the “Striking Tenth” AKA foudroyante parlance that dates back to about 2010 (though Zenith first patented it in 2002) with the introduction of the calibre 4052. Rather, we get an El Primero twist on the panda and reverse-panda dial chronograph with a new ceramic bezel and a thoroughly modern movement at a starting price right around $9,500. Though it draws inspiration from classic El Primeros, as well as the under-appreciated Zenith De Luca, the Chronomaster Sport does not go too far with the vintage theme, fortunately. Bearing a likeness to a distant cousin in the Rolex Daytona, these two debut Chronomaster Sport pieces are all Zenith once you take a closer look and appreciate the watchmaking prowess behind it.

Equipped with a modern version of its “Striking 10th” movement, which allows the user to measure time down to 1/10th of a second, the Chronomaster Sport leans into what makes the high-beat El Primero so special.Īs of late, the Zenith El Primero has been lacking options that land somewhere between the vintage-inspired Chronomaster Revival pieces and the highly contemporary, stylized Defy El Primero collection. What we have with the Zenith Chronomaster Sport is a luxury chronograph with an attractive mainstream design but a movement that will impress even the most jaded or seasoned watch enthusiast. Just released by Zenith is the brand new Chronomaster Sport, launching as a duo of ceramic bezel chronographs that feature the newly updated El Primero 3600 calibre.