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Graham 3T WIS 
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As a chronograph collector, the El Primero is a grail. Period. I just never got the right watch at the right price, so recently started a search in earnest. Eventually a local agent offered to order the model I liked at cost plus 5%. I did my homework on this, and saw no better deal anywhere on the internet. Deal done, wait on.......until this morning when I got the call to announce the arrival! I was over there in a flash, and went straight home instead of back to the office. There was a serious sitation I had to take care of!  (sizing of the bracelet....) Well, what can I say! The packaging kept me busy for a while, and sizing the bracelet  was also a bit tricky due to the Seiko-style pins and tubes. The bracelet has a butterfly deployant and half link adjustments. Perfect fit! The bracelet is brushed with polished links in the middle. Lugs are 20mm, and a non-tapered bracelet makes it look chunky. I chose this model because of the invariable (deliberate?) resemblance to the Rolex Daytona. The pushers, crown, crown protectors and tachymetre scale on the polished bezel inevitably shout DAYTONA. The overall size and feel is also similiar. The dial is a beautiful dark blue, with the help dials a few shades lighter. The colours seem to change in different lighting conditions. The sapphire crystal has anti reflective coating on both sides, giving it a slight blueish hue a-la-Breitling.  The domed caseback is non-see thru; a disappontment if you're a movement junkie! The El Primero was launched in 1969 and is acknowledged as the first automatic chronograph movement. It is a beautiful movement worth displaying. I will probably invest in a transparent caseback shortly.... On the technical side, iit is the only mechanical chronograph movement which runs at 36000 beats per hour! This is a true sweeping movement, if you have ever seen one. The lugs are drilled - which I much prefer. It prevents the inevitable scratch when changing bracelets / straps. Needless to say, it went straight onto my wrist! I will run it in this weekend......  Thanks for looking! |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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Wow, Graham. That is a chronograph classic. You gotta be over the moon. Big congrats on scoring a most beautiful piece and working a sweet deal in the process. Enjoy that fantastic Zenith! |
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tombs 3T WIS 
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Big congrats Graham on your beautiful and outstanding timepieceface4.gif Enjoy it  |
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Nabco 3T WIS 
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Congrats Graham on a beautiful Zenith, one I'm sure you will enjoy for a long time  |
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DM71 3T WIS 
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Congratulations for serious piece of mechanic sitting in a beautiful watch! I agree with you, you need a display case back on this one. It's a shame to hide this little marvel! |
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Paladin 3T WIS 
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Wow! That is a classic beauty, what else can you say! |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS 
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MAGNIFICENT addition to your already impressive chrono collection, Graham!!! The pyramid indeces are so Zenith, and I still have to find a brand that executes pyramid indeces that way. I am almost willing to make a bet that that chrono will be more accurate than the Rollie's ....trust me!Wear it in good health, amigohand6.gif |
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Jeep99dad 3T WIS 
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Absolutely perfect.gif Love it... great color too!!! Enjoy it... I can't imagine what yuo had to do to get yuor wife to bless this purchase |
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bigrustypig 3T WIS
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Brice, Graham had the precious box delivered when his wife wasn't home |
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GX9901 3T WIS 
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Sweet! I was just reading about the El Premiero the other day and thinking it would be great to have one someday. Congrats on the uber grail! |
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apeogre 3T WIS 
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That's fantastic! |
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mike03 3T WIS 
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Very nice watch....BIG congrats! |
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Tony Duronio 3T WIS 
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Stunning Graham |
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OldeCrow 3T WIS 
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Very nice! I do love the Zenith chrono! |
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stew77 Admin 
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Well Graham....as I said in the daily wrist shot section.... Wow...wow...wow...wow...if ever there was a chrono grail, this is it hearteyes.gif. Sounds like a very, very sweet buying opportunity for a new one that you've been hunting for some time. Big congrats!!!!  |
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scottran 3T WIS 
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Congrats Graham on an awesome find! perfect.gif |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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Serious Watch Envy!!!perfect.gif...Congrats on a awesome Zenith Graham!! |
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Devin 3T WIS 
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Just outstanding Graham! Enjoy My Friend! yourock.gifyourock.gifyourock.gif |
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Gregger 3T WIS 
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hand6.gifhand6.gif WOW...now that's a grail!! Congrats and enjoy.... |
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IanM 3T WIS 
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Well done and heartiest congratulations, Graham! I know you are a movement junkie - and the Zenith movement - so rare in Rollies and so spectacular in the Zeniths themselves, is just wonderful. I would youtube a short film of the gliding second hand, good sir. The closest I have seen is the glide on the f300Hz quartz Omega Seamaster - it is fair dinkum mesmerising! I'm not a fan of the Zenith Defy range - so your El Primero is probably the nicest I have seen. The whole concept of the thing is just wonderful. Trapezoidal date window, screwed chrono pushers, subtle colour variation on the sub-dials, great-looking polished/brushed finish on the bracelet which picks up the polished lugs - there is NOTHING about this one to dislike. Kudos, Graham - that is an absolute marvel, and a beautiful addition to your special collection! IanM hand6.gifhand6.gifhand6.gifhand6.gif |
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Graham 3T WIS
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A BIG  to everyone for the heads up on this baby! |
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Antonis_ch 3T WIS 
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Very good choice! Respect! Antonis |
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chris s. 3T WIS 
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A Grail Indeed |
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ncvol17 3T WIS 
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variations on the color blue makes that an outstanding dial. I like the bezel very much as well...well done |
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wardog 3T WIS
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Very Cool! |
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murphy j 3T WIS 
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Absolutely Stunning . Wear it in Good health Graham. |
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Graham 3T WIS
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, again everyone! |
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ibme61 3T WIS 
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Beautiful watch. One day when I'm all growed up I'm gonna get me one. |
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TXwatchguy 3T WIS 
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Beautiful watch! Congrats and enjoy it, as I'm sure you will. |
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