Now & Zenith

Zenith’s El Primero movement is an icon of modern watchmaking history. Less well-known — but no less important — is the brand’s past as a maker of timepieces for aviators and adventurers.

El Primero 410

In just over a century, Louis Blériot, Leon Morane and, more recently, Felix Baumgartner have all fulfilled their destinies and put their names in the history books with a Zenith instrument on their wrist on in their cockpit.

Among high-end watch aficionados, it is difficult, if not impossible, to find consensus on the greatest watch model of the past century. Opinions about what defines the best timepiece differ wildly, depending on a person’s taste for brands, complications and aesthetics. If, however, the conversation focuses on the greatest watch movement of the past century, Zenith’s legendary El Primero is a heavy favorite.

Conceived in 1962 as the world’s first integrated self-winding chronograph movement, the caliber that would eventually be christened El Primero — the name means “the first” in Esperanto — required seven years of development. By the time it was introduced on January 10, 1969, El Primero had spawned two groundbreaking calibers: the original chronograph movement with date, and a second chronograph movement endowed with triple calendar and moon phase functions.

High Caliber

El Primero Synopsis

The new El Primero 410 embodies this rich legacy and is powered by Calibre 410 — a variation of the original El Primero movement that features day, date, month and moon phase indications. This automatic column-wheel chronograph is now available with a silver-toned dial in an elegant 42mm case made in either stainless steel or rose gold.

If the El Primero 410 harks back to Zenith’s 1969 heyday, the new El Primero Synopsis capitalizes on that heritage and gives it a high-tech spin. On the outside, the classic-looking model bears a distinctive dial opening — a brand signature — while the inside betrays Zenith’s forward-looking ethos. The watch contains a lever and escapement made of silicon, an anti-magnetic material that is prized for its ability to reduce the friction inside a movement, thereby lessening the need for lubricants and extending the lifetime of the timepiece.

The luminescent hands and numerals are made to look like old radium.

Super Fly

The Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 underscores Zenith’s parallel history as one of the earliest makers of instruments for pilots and navigators. A tribute to pioneering aviators Wilbur and Orville Wright, it’s named for the year in which the brothers achieved history’s first powered and controlled flight in a heavier-than-air craft on the sands of North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk beach. The model is based on a cult timepiece from 1939 that was fitted on the instrument panels of various aircraft, including Caudron trainer planes used by the French Air Force.

Pilot Type 20 Extra Special

At 48mm, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 is big but lightweight, thanks to a case made of black DLC-coated titanium. With its sandblasted black dial and solid Arabic numerals made of Superluminova, the timepiece is exceptionally readable. Travelers especially will appreciate its second time zone indicator.

For fans of classic aviator watches, the Pilot Type 20 Extra Special evokes Zenith’s mid-century glory days. The timepiece comes on a brown-patinated nubuck strap and its 45mm stainless steel case features a distinctive ratcheted crown typical of vintage pilot’s watches. This oversized feature helped ensure a tight grip even when trying to manipulate it with bulky pilot’s gloves. Although it looks the part of a serious pilot’s watch, business travelers and beach bums alike will appreciate its high style, a distinguishing characteristic of all of Zenith’s elegant timepieces.