101st Auction
2019/11/16
Lot 195
Zenith, Le Locle, "Chronograph Automatic El Primero", Case No. 707D997, Ref. SP1301, Cal. 3019PHC, 37 x 47 mm, circa 1970
A vintage automatic wristwatch with chronograph and date
Case: steel, screw back. Dial: anthracite with gradient.
"El Primero surely is one of the best known calibres in the watchmaking industry. Even non-insiders or those who take only a fleeting interest in watches are likely to have heard of El Primero - it is a name that stands for supreme quality chronometers. This should not come as a surprise; it is after all a movement built to meet the requirements for over 40 years. Today’s collectors are particularly keen on the models with featuring 3019. As only small series of the individual models were produced that also had a lot of variants, some watches from this time are almost impossible to find nowadays and the prices asked for them are suitably high."
Source: Manfred Rössler, El Primero - der Chronograph, Forstinning 2015, p. 10f
This is one of the earliest automatic El Primero models dating from the 1970s. The arrangement of the case represents the general taste of the time very well and takes its inspiration from the eccentric, bold design prevailing in that era.
The case is unpolished, the dial shows a smooth colour gradient with a dark grey outer area and a light grey centre. The three silvered subsidiary dials stand out clearly from the darker background – a very attractive timepiece for those who appreciate rare vintage watches.
A vintage automatic wristwatch with chronograph and date
Case: steel, screw back. Dial: anthracite with gradient.
"El Primero surely is one of the best known calibres in the watchmaking industry. Even non-insiders or those who take only a fleeting interest in watches are likely to have heard of El Primero - it is a name that stands for supreme quality chronometers. This should not come as a surprise; it is after all a movement built to meet the requirements for over 40 years. Today’s collectors are particularly keen on the models with featuring 3019. As only small series of the individual models were produced that also had a lot of variants, some watches from this time are almost impossible to find nowadays and the prices asked for them are suitably high."
Source: Manfred Rössler, El Primero - der Chronograph, Forstinning 2015, p. 10f
This is one of the earliest automatic El Primero models dating from the 1970s. The arrangement of the case represents the general taste of the time very well and takes its inspiration from the eccentric, bold design prevailing in that era.
The case is unpolished, the dial shows a smooth colour gradient with a dark grey outer area and a light grey centre. The three silvered subsidiary dials stand out clearly from the darker background – a very attractive timepiece for those who appreciate rare vintage watches.
estimated
4.800—6.000 €
Price realized
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