Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open Power Reserve Luxury Watch Review

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Zenith's Chronomaster is an all-time great nameplate in the pantheon of watches to bear the famed El Primero chronograph movement. This El Primero Chronomaster Open Power Reserve features history, handsome good looks, and sweet features in abundance.

In 1969, the Zenith El Primero arguably became the first automatic chronograph movement to debut. Regardless of podium positions, there is no arguing that of the three rivals for the title, the El Primero has been the most enduring and celebrated. Rescued from the scrapper's torch by an enterprising Zenith watchmaker, the tooling for this living legend survived to see a new era of production from the 1980s to the present.

Today, this Chronomaster Open Power reserve carries the El Primero into the 21st century in style. 42mm in diameter and composed of stainless steel, the Chronomaster has the kind of everyday versatility to look sharp in casual and formal settings alike. Its power reserve and retrograde date functions are practical and entertaining at the same time.

An "open escapement" captures 90% of the visual appeal of a tourbillon at 10% of the price. The key is Zenith's special caliber 4023 with a partially skeletonized balance bridge beating through a partially skeletonized dial. It's a hypnotic sight for any watch connoisseur to behold.

Zenith's El Primero counts the chronograph as its calling card, and the uncommon 36,000 VpH beat rate allows exceptional resolution to 1/10th of a second when timing events. In daily use, that madcap pace permits outstanding timing accuracy for routine hours/minutes/seconds. Against the ear, the El Primero's unique heartbeat is an unmistakable double-time cadence.

On the reverse side, the great El Primero is visible in its glory. Beautifully decorated with cotes de Geneve upon the winding rotor, perlaged plates and bridges, heat-blued screws and straight-grained levers, this is a showcase of the manufacture's watchmaking prowess.

A burly square-sided Mississippi alligator strap holds the watch secure. Its underside is coated with a supple rubberized coating that feels soft, upscale, and satisfying all at once. Think Audi A8 dashboard, and you get the idea.

This Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open Power Reserve is available from watch want.com with full Zenith factory boxes, manuals, and documentation. In outstanding condition and still under factory warranty, it presents as new. Video and content by Tim Mosso.