The Zenith El Primero was introduced in 1969 as the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph. It was a revolution for the watch industry as the cal. 3019PHC was designed as a fully integrated chronograph movement, rather than being an automatic movement with an added chronograph module. Operating at 36,000 VPH, the movement is superbly reliable and later became the basis for Rolex’s cal. 4030, used in early self-winding Daytona watches.

The present ref. SP 1301 from circa 1970 is an early production El Primero and features a tonneau shaped case, giving the timepiece a sculptural presence. The dial has aged beautifully while maintaining its original black sub-registers and tachymeter scale contrasted against a matte white dial. The timepiece is preserved in very good condition and is a rare opportunity to collect one of the earliest automatic chronographs introduced to the world.