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+====== Zenith El Primero ======
+{{wst>image_r|Zenith_El_Primero_Werk|The legendary [[automatic]] [[chronograph]] movement 'El Primero' by Zenith}}
+{{wst>image_r|Zenith_El_Primero|Chronograph Zenith El Primero with the movement 'El Primero'}}
+**Zenith //El Primero// ** is an [[automatic]] [[chronograph]] movement by [[Zenith]]/[[Movado]] as well as a series of watch models with the same name.
+===== The race for the first chronograph with automatic winding =====
+In the late 1960s there was a prestigious race to develop the world's first mechanical [[chronograph]] with [[automatic]] winding [[Heuer-Leonidas]] and [[Dubois Dépraz]] had initiated the secret "Project 99" to develop such a movement, bringing in [[Hamilton]]/[[Buren Watch Company|Büren]] and [[Breitling]]. On March 3, [[1969]], this group presented their product under the name of "[[Chronomatic]]" simultaneously in [[Geneva]], New York, Hong Kong and Beirut. The [[barrel]] of the Chronomatic is wound by means of an eccentric [[weight segment]], a concept called a "[[microrotor]]".
+Realizing that this announcement was imminent, Zenith rushed to preempt them. Their [[Zenith 3019|Cal. 3019 "El Primero" movement]] ("The First") was unveiled in a quiet press conference in Geneva on January 10 of the same year. They had begun developing their integrated automatic chronograph at the beginning of the decade, with the project stalled and restarted later. By late 1968, a few El Primero prototypes had been produced and these were shown to the world in January. It was not until late in 1969 that Zenith was able to produce customer-ready movements and watches. By this time, both the [[Chronomatic]] and [[Seiko 6139]] were already in production and available to customers.
+===== A high-speed oscillator =====
+The development of the El Primero had already begun in [[1967]]. While the Calibre 11 "[[Chronomatic]]" only made 19,800 [[semicycles]], the El Primero oscillated with 36,000 [[semicycles]], which was unusual for the time. In the 1960s the engineers at Zenith had succeeded in doubling the frequency of 18,000 oscillations. (See also [[High-beat]])
+This result is unsurpassed even today and has led many large watch manufacturers to equip its chronograph models with this unique movement. Among others, [[Rolex]] used it in their model [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona|Cosmograph Daytona]], but here the amplitude was taken back to 28,800 A/h. (See [[Rolex 4030]]) (In the meantime Rolex has their own in-house made chronograph calibre, the [[Rolex 4130]].)
+==== Features of the 'El Primero' ====
+The first model of the 'El Primero' was available in two versions [[Zenith 3019PHC|Cal. 3019PHC]] had the unmistakable [[date display]] at the 4 00 location while [[Zenith 3019PHF|Cal. 3019PHF]] featured the day, month and [[moon-phase indication]]. The [[weight segment]] in [[tungsten carbide]] registered even the smallest, otherwise not perceptible movements of the wearer's arm. The [[power reserve]] amounted to more than 50 hours, the [[weight segment]] was embellished by the company logo. The El Primero [[movement]] has a diameter of 30 mm and with only 6.5 mm is very flat. Due to its high oscillation rate, it is also the only [[chronograph]] movement, which permits a short-term measurement of 1/10 seconds. Other advantages are the instantaneous date change and a dry lubrication on molybdenum-sulfide basis.
+==== Further development ====
+After twenty years Zenith incorporated a few modifications into the El Primero movement, which should increase its power and reduce the wear of some components. The winding of the chronograph and the operating the chronograph functions, such as [[zero reset]], were simplified. One of the first pieces is exhibited in the [[Museum Château des Monts]] in [[Le Locle]].
+Years later, [[TAG Heuer]] adopted the El Primero as their "Calibre 36".
+===== The El Primero watch series =====
+  *Main Article [[Zenith El Primero watches]]
+For some time, especially in the 1990s, Zenith named also its sports model collection after this movement El Primero. In [[2012]], Zenith introduced the first non-chronograph El Primero watch series, the [[Zenith Espada|Espada]]. This was expanded for [[2014]] with a new movement and family of non-chronograph El Primero watches, the [[Zenith Synopsis|Synopsis]], which adds [[hacking]] and [[silicon]] movement components.
+===== Movement Family =====
+  *Main Article [[Zenith El Primero calibres]]
+The evolution of the El Primero watch movement mirrors the watch industry from the 1960's to today. It was launched at a time of innovation, when design and manufacturing went high-tech. Not only was the [[Zenith 3019PHC|original El Primero movement]] one of the first [[automatic chronograph]]s, it was one of the first [[high-beat]] chronograph as well. All this was made possible by increased industrialization of the watchmaking process, new materials, and the strength of companies like Zenith.
+The El Primero seemed to be a sure-thing, and Zenith used it as a halo for their entire line, just as the [[Zenith Constellation|Constellation]] [[chronometer]] had been. Throughout that 10-year production run, the company modified the original movement just once, producing just 800 [[Zenith 3019PHF|full calendar and moon phase]] movements.
+As the 1970's continued, the market for high-end movements like the El Primero had disappeared. The entire industry turned to more-accurate and inexpensive quartz movements and Zenith suffered mightily. The company changed hands and ended production. As with the [[Valjoux 7750]], one watchmaker inside the company saved the parts and tooling from destruction, and saved the movement for the future.
+In the 1980's, it became clear that the market for high-end mechanical watches was recovering and the surviving companies went looking for their glorious past movements. The El Primero was one of the best products of the 1960's, and Zenith was lucky that the tooling was saved. They restarted production in [[1985]], renaming the movement [[Zenith 40.0|Cal. 40.0]] but leaving it largely unchanged otherwise. Renamed [[Zenith 400|Cal. 400]] the next year, it remains in production to this day.
+As the 1990's arrived, high-end watch companies recovered and Zenith's El Primero became the envy of the industry. [[Rolex]] commissioned their own version for the rebooted [[Rolex Daytona|Daytona]], and Zenith began investing in the movement for the first time in 30 years. They moved the date window from 4 30 to 6 00, a mammoth undertaking requiring relocation of the three sub-dials as well. They also added a complication For the first time, [[Zenith 405|Cal. 405]] had a [[flyback]] mechanism. Another novel version was [[Zenith 420|Cal. 420]], a [[hand-winding]] version.
+In the 2000's, variations on the El Primero base exploded. The [[Zenith 4001|4000 series]], introduced in [[2002]], added [[hacking seconds]] and featured many other refinements. There was a [[Zenith 4003|perpetual calendar]], [[Zenith 4010|big date]], [[Zenith 4021|power reserve indicator]], [[Zenith 4026|rattrapante]], and more.
+Zenith also paired a [[tourbillon]] with the [[high-beat]] El Primero for the first time, with a series of [[haute horology]] pieces developed including a [[Zenith 4033|tourbillon perpetual calendar]] and [[Zenith 4041 C|non-chronograph tourbillon version]]. Then there was the [[Zenith 4043|minute repeater]] and [[Zenith 4046|alarm]] variant, along with the [[Zenith 4810|hand-winding, "chain and fusée"]] and [[Zenith 8804|"Gravity Control" gyroscope]] versions.
+In [[2013]], Zenith finally produced a version of the El Primero that could count tenths of a second using a semi-[[foudroyante]] seconds hand. The [[Zenith 4052|"Striking 10th"]] was a technical wonder, especially [[Zenith 4057|when a flyback was added]]. Zenith also began working with [[silicon]] in this decade, introducing versions with a [[Zenith 4047|silicon escapement]] in [[2014]].
+===== Movement data =====
+<WRAP ud ud_mov>
+**Description:**
+  * [[Self-winding]] movement, bi-directional winding
+  * Ball-bearing [[Rotor]]
+  * [[Escapement]] stone lever
+  * [[Yoke winding system]]
+  * [[Chronometer]] certificate ([[COSC]])
+  * [[Column-wheel]] calibre
+  * [[Shock protection]] Kif-Ultraflex
+**Functions:**
+  * Hours, Minutes, [[small seconds]], date
+  * [[Chronograph]]
+**Data:**
+  * 13 [[ligne]]s
+  * D 30.0 mm, H 5.7 mm
+  * 25 [[jewels]]
+  * 36,000 A/h
+  * [[Power reserve]] 55h
+**Production period:**
+  * Since [[1969]]
+</WRAP>
+===== Literature =====
+  *[[Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch]]; Author [[Gerd-Lothar Reschke]]; ISBN 3-938607-61-0
+  *[[Die Movado History]]; Author [[Fritz von Osterhausen]]; ISBN 3766712098 or ISBN 978-3766712097
+===== Weblinks =====
+  *[[http://www.timezone.com/library/horologium/horologium631672303874274794|The Zenith Chronograph]]
+===== Video =====
+  * [[Zenith El Primero Video]], 2 51
+{{tag>Watch_models Zenith_models Movements Automatic_movements Chronograph_movements Zenith_calibres Automatic_chronograph_movements Column_wheel_chronograph_movements High-beat_movements}}