Zenith El Primero - References, Prices and Owners' Reviews

The quest for the Grail! It was at the beginning of 2022 that I had my first real experience with the Zenith brand. After watching a video of an owner of a Zenith Defy with a TV Dial, my curiosity was piqued, and I wanted to know more about this manufacturer that was then rather unknown to me. I quickly came across a video presenting the Zenith Revival Shadow, and it was an immediate favorite. Its curves and case fascinated me from the first glance. So I went to the Zenith website to explore the brand and model further. And there, amazement! I discovered the A3818 and A3817 models, a real love at first sight. However, I browsed many sites presenting vintage watches, but I had never seen anything like it. Of course, I am far from claiming to know everything. Despite access to many photos and videos of watches, as well as abundant documentation, one can have the feeling of having "seen it all". However, the discovery of this A3817 shakes all my convictions. An impressive number of details that I had never noticed elsewhere: the "shark" type railway, the overlapping sub-counters, the red syringe-type hand, the sub-counters displaying different colors, the perfectly proportioned tonneau case, the ladder bracelet, the date window between 4 and 5 p.m. It is a real enchantment at the first discovery of this watch. It obsessed me for more than a year and a half. The planets aligned at the end of 2023, and I seized the opportunity.

This watch is equipped with the famous Zenith El Primero movement, which is one of the most precise and renowned automatic chronograph movements in the watch industry. It beats at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, which allows for precise time measurement to 1/10th of a second. The Zenith El Primero Synopsis sports an elegant and timeless design, with a high-quality stainless steel case, a brown alligator strap (special mention for the interior coating against perspiration), a sleek dial with an open heart finished in the most beautiful way as well as gold indexes with the most beautiful effect. Yes, it is not a chronograph, it is true, this creates a slight frustration because it is difficult to realize the quality of this movement without this complication. It nevertheless remains a timeless watch, easily wearable with its 40mm diameter and which almost always has its effect on people.

Bought for a big event, this watch represents the jewel that will accompany me throughout my life for beautiful festivities. This magnificent and legendary el primero model from the 90s visible on the back of the watch is encased in a 38 x 46 x 10.5 mm case and adorned with a gold plating that adds a crazy charm to it. Put it under a ray of sunlight and you will see a hypnotic dance of reflections of the indexes, hands and sub-dials appear. A classic and sublime watch that shines brightly like a star.