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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement record · Switzerland

Zenith El Primero

Partially verified

An integrated automatic chronograph running at an unusually high 36,000 vph, giving 1/10-second chronograph resolution; launched in 1969 in close competition with other automatic chronograph projects and narrowly escaped destruction during the quartz crisis.

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Technical specifications

Diameter
Approx. 30 mm depending on generation
Height
Approx. 6.5 mm
Jewels
31 (typical)
Frequency
36,000 vph (5 Hz)
Power reserve
Approx. 50 hours
Winding
Self-winding, integrated column-wheel chronograph
Setting
Pull-out crown
Escapement
Swiss lever
Balance
High-frequency balance with Nivarox-type hairspring
Complications
Column-wheel chronograph, Date

Identification features

  • High-frequency 36,000 vph balance
  • Column-wheel chronograph control
  • 5 Hz balance with fast seconds track
  • Column wheel and lateral clutch
  • Compact integrated design about 6.5 mm thick

Known variants

  • Original calibre 3019 PHC family
  • Later revised El Primero generations
  • 3019 PHC (original)
  • 400 series
  • El Primero 9004 (1/100 second) and later 3600

Servicing notes

Higher frequency raises wear and lubrication demands; specialist chronograph servicing is recommended.

General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.

Historical significance

Integrated, column-wheel automatic chronograph announced in 1969 and running at 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing tenth-of-a-second timing; one of the first automatic chronographs.

Photographs

Zenith Watches - Zenith Men's Defy Watch, Quartz Movement, Analog Time With Red LED Display, Swiss Made, Circa 1970s (31350651573)
Zenith Watches - Zenith Men's Defy Watch, Quartz Movement, Analog Time With Red LED Display, Swiss Made, Circa 1970s (31350651573) — Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Zenith Watches - Zenith Defy Men's Watch, Quartz Movement, Analog With Red Digital LED Display, NOS, Swiss Made, Circa 1970s (36557339871)
Zenith Watches - Zenith Defy Men's Watch, Quartz Movement, Analog With Red Digital LED Display, NOS, Swiss Made, Circa 1970s (36557339871) — Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Zenith Watches - Zenith Men's TimeComand Wrist Watch, Quartz Movement, Analog Time With LED Digital Readout, Swiss-Made, Circa 1970s (38097403864)
Zenith Watches - Zenith Men's TimeComand Wrist Watch, Quartz Movement, Analog Time With LED Digital Readout, Swiss-Made, Circa 1970s (38097403864) — Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Zenith El Primero 'Original 1969' 38mm 36'000vph Chronograph 03.2150.4 ...
Zenith El Primero 'Original 1969' 38mm 36'000vph Chronograph 03.2150.4 ... — watchvault.com.au, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (watchvault.com.au)
Zenith El Primero El Primero Watches | ref 03.2040.4061/52.C700 | Open ...
Zenith El Primero El Primero Watches | ref 03.2040.4061/52.C700 | Open ... — watchclub.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (watchclub.com)
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Chronograph Automatic Mens Watch 03 ...
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Chronograph Automatic Mens Watch 03 ... — clothbase.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (clothbase.com)
ZENITH El Primero Full Open Ref 03.2081.400/78 – Watch Montre Paris
ZENITH El Primero Full Open Ref 03.2081.400/78 – Watch Montre Paris — watch-montre-paris.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (watch-montre-paris.com)
Zenith El Primero Watch Stainless Steel 03.2041.400/51.C496 ...
Zenith El Primero Watch Stainless Steel 03.2041.400/51.C496 ... — swisswatchexpo.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (swisswatchexpo.com)
Sell Your Zenith El Primero watch
Sell Your Zenith El Primero watch — watchfinder.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (watchfinder.com)
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open - Blue Dial Automatic Chronograph ...
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open - Blue Dial Automatic Chronograph ... — gotawatch.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (gotawatch.com)
Inside the Zenith El Primero Watch
Inside the Zenith El Primero Watch — truefacet.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (truefacet.com)
Zenith El Primero Revival A384 "Edge of Space" | Professional Watches
Zenith El Primero Revival A384 "Edge of Space" | Professional Watches — professionalwatches.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (professionalwatches.com)
Zenith El Primero Chronograph
Zenith El Primero Chronograph — q-watches.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (q-watches.com)
ZENITH EL PRIMERO, LE MOUVEMENTS CHRONOGRAPHE AUTOMATIQUE LE PLUS ...
ZENITH EL PRIMERO, LE MOUVEMENTS CHRONOGRAPHE AUTOMATIQUE LE PLUS ... — marctissier.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (marctissier.com)

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Zenith historical literature
  2. Industry accounts of the 1969 automatic-chronograph race, which differ on exact priority claims

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.