Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open
2017 GPHG Calendar Category Finalist
Zenith's indefatigable El Primero movement goes under the knife to get the skeleton treatment in a sapphire covered, open worked display of its functions and high-beat mechanism, as the new Chronomaster Grande Date continues to be the benchmark for contemporary chronographs.
Zenith's legendary El Primero movements have driven a generation of their (and other's) watches, and underlining its significance you need to go back to 2007, and a very differently formatted GPHG event, to find a year that it has not been among the preselected finalists here. In fact in my estimation, it has in one form or another been on the top step four times for chronograph or sports watch category in that time, so here we are again with the Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open to contest the 2017 GPHG Calendar category.
With subdials and detailing printed onto a clear sapphire dial, the skeletonised self winding movement beneath is exposed, revealing the intricacies of the date mechanism, whose cutaway numbers align above a red background to indicate the date, as well as the wonderful colourful dual-disc 24-hour day and night with superimposed moonphase display at the 6.
Among the six preselected finalists the Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open is unique in its sporty styling, and in 2014 its sibling the El Primero Lightweight won the Sports category, but this is very different, and the opposition more diverse. Yes, it has that legendary 5Hz movement, but it also has four other mighty strong contenders legitimately vying for honours, and I am of the opinion that the competition is overwhelming.
The Watch Press prediction
No. With Audemars Piguet and A. Lange & Söhne in one corner, and Greubel Forsey and the incredible Krayon Everywhere in the other, Zenith can only watch on to see who wins this one. Anyway, as is now tradition, there's always next year.
The pertinents
- REFERENCE: 03.2530.4047/78.C813
- CASE: Steel
- BRACELET/STRAP: Leather
- BUCKLE: Folding clasp
- MOVEMENT: Self winding mechanical. Power reserve: 50 h, 36'000 vph, silicon escapement.
- FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date, Moonphase, Chronograph
- SIZE: ø 45 mm
- THICKNESS: 16.6 mm
- WATERPROOFNESS: 100 m
- PRICE EXCL.VAT: 10'093 CHF
