Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

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rockmastermike
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Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:10 am

Visually striking with large white markers and well proportioned white hands against a black dial. Chrono dials and hands are also high visibility.

Highly legible and highly functional - Yes....but there is much more subtle design ques to consider as we work around this magnificent piece.

We will break this watch down into dial, lugs, case, pushers/crown and movement.

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Matte black dial has a slight egg-shell appearance. The texture is not seen, at least by me, on the wrist but can been seen "up close"....just one of the subtle details Zenith baked into the Pilot Chrono. In nice contrast to the dial is the highly polished applied Zenith Star and strongly printed text

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Date aperture is at 6:00. Note how Zenith kept the hash marks going on top of the window. "The circle will be unbroken"

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Speaking of hash marks - on the internal bezel, this watch features a Telemeter function. Not seen as much as the Tachymeter scale but still pretty darn cool. Simplified definitions stolen from the web:

Tachymeter: Calculate speed of vehicles or moving objects. It tells you the traveling speed over a fixed distance in km/hour or miles/hour. You can also use it to measure a production process in units/hour.

Telemeter: Calculate distances between the user and an event based of sound through the air when observation is both visible and audible. Start the function when you see and stop it when you hear it....Lightning or Artillery for example.

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The markers are thick. Thick enough to 1) give depth to the dial and 2) give it superior lume
Also note the chrono dial has the old school longer indicators at 3, 6 and 9 minutes. Another nice detail by Zenith

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The lugs are brushed with polished bevels that when they reflect light makes my heart smile. Notice the lower right hand lug in the next two pictures and the difference a slight tilt will make

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The lugs seemlessly and gracefully flow into the mid-case. Also notice the slightly domed crystal comes out of the bezel.

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Turning to the business side of the case...the pushers are rectangles, not seen as often as round pushers but well done by Zenith. Practically, I appreciate the flat pushers allow my big paws better, cleaner and more functional access to the crown

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The signed crown is slightly wider/taller than I expected, not overdone by any means, just better proportioned for gloves or someone who doesn't want to have to dig or struggle to operate the crown.

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For the sharp-eyed of the readers, in the picture above you may have noticed a little "up turn" in the bottom lines of the case the closer you get to the crown.....a subtle detail of functionality presented is a cut out for ease of winding or push/pull of the crown

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Turing over we see the open caseback is secured to the case by 4 screws through 4 arching rounded tabs.
For such a bold watch, there are tons of subtleties throughout

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Through the clear caseback you see the 31 jewel El Primero 4002 caliber column wheel chronograph movement with 50+ hours of power reserve

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Skeletonized Rotor predominately features the Zentih Star

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Fun Facts on the movement from the Zenith Operating Manual:

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Conclusion:

Powerful combination of stark boldness with flowing curves and subtle details on top, middle and underside of the watch

10/10

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rockmastermike
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:56 am

Forgot to mention that with this movement the first crown pull adjusts the time and the second crown pull adjusts the date, the opposite of my other watches.
different but cool, imho

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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by Chocodove » Fri Jul 29, 2016 8:57 am

Killer review and photos, Mike. Looks like an incredible watch.
- Todd

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jimyritz
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by jimyritz » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:00 am

Excellent review RMM....Beautiful watch.... :thumbsup:

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rockmastermike
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:11 am

jimyritz wrote:Excellent review RMM....Beautiful watch.... :thumbsup:
Chocodove wrote:Killer review and photos, Mike. Looks like an incredible watch.
Thanks, Mike & Todd

I like wearing this more than I expected

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Panerai7
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by Panerai7 » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:14 am

Great review

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ericf4
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by ericf4 » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:18 am

rockmastermike wrote:Forgot to mention that with this movement the first crown pull adjusts the time and the second crown pull adjusts the date, the opposite of my other watches.
different but cool, imho
Yup same here, that threw me a bit when i first tried it as i didn't read the manual first....I was like WTH? Crazy how long it takes to make 1 movement....BEAUTIFUL bro, welcome to the zenith club...ILl have another for sure.
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BBK357
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by BBK357 » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:41 am

I love this watch. Was so tempted to snatch it up, glad you got it.
Excellent pics
DEATH FROM ABOVE
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rockmastermike
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:00 am

Ben - hopefully it stays in the family when the time comes
Art - thank you
Eric - always wanted to try Zenith and this one has been in the back of my mind since seeing Drew's a long time ago.

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by JP Chestnut » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:04 am

That is a hot hot hot watch and your pictures really do it justice.

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unixshrk
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by unixshrk » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:13 am

Great review of a fantastic watch.

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logan2z
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by logan2z » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:15 am

Great review and terrific photos Mike. Definitely one of my favorite Zeniths. The version that replaced this one was a big step back IMO.

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greenlightning
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by greenlightning » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:19 am

:headbang: :headbang: Love the watch. review bought tears to my eyes. strong work.

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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by matt.wu » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:24 am

Awesome watch and even better review. :cheers:
:htfu:

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blowfish89
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by blowfish89 » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:30 am

The El Primero displaybacks are a joy to see.

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1954Selmer
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by 1954Selmer » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:33 am

You sure lay out a sweet review and beautiful photos. Big Congrats on an Amazing piece.
.

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rockmastermike
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:38 am

Thanks again...this watch is certainly worthy of your kind comments.

Additionally, it can be dressed up with the brown alligator or dressed own with the black pilot style canvas.

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andrema
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by andrema » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:58 am

what...no shower shot :)


Seriously...that looks fantastic!
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Torrid
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by Torrid » Fri Jul 29, 2016 12:02 pm

Love that, especially the display back.

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rockmastermike
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:06 pm

andrema wrote:what...no shower shot :)


Seriously...that looks fantastic!
Thanks and I'll work on that :thumbsup:
Torrid wrote:Love that, especially the display back.
Thanks, Heath. the movement is exquiste

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dukerules
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by dukerules » Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:14 pm

That is one gorgeous timepiece.

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dosei
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by dosei » Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:48 pm

Looks awesome, congrats!

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goaliechris
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by goaliechris » Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:22 am

Nice review of a sweet looking watch. They did this one right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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marchone
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by marchone » Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:10 pm

Fantastic pice. Congrats.
only accurate watches are interesting

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rockmastermike
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Re: Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Post by rockmastermike » Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:14 pm

and as a bonus, my wife even likes it :shifty:

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