Manufacturer: Zenith Year: Circa 2015 Reference No: 03.2046.4061 Movement No: 606’475 Case No: 326’637, 168/500 Model Name: Chronomaster El Primero 1969 Tour Auto Edition Material: Stainless Steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4061, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: NATO Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Zenith deployant folding clasp Dimensions: 42mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Zenith International Warranty dated 7th May 2020 stamped Dickson Watch & Jewellery, Hong Kong, instruction manuals, leather wallet, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
For 29 years, The “Tour Auto Optic 2000” is the event where approximately 230 petrol heads gather for a spectacular race driving across an approximately 2,000km stretch between Paris and Cannes. With a shared passion for speed and precision, Zenith partnered with Peter Auto — organizer of the Tour Auto, to be the official timekeeper for the race.
The Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 runs at a speed of 36,000 vph on a high performance engine, the El Primero caliber 4061. The dial opening at 11 o’clock reveals the beating heart of the COSC certified movement. Finished in brushed slate grey and French rally stripe (blue-white-red) across the dial is a power reserve with the capacity of 50 hours, a perfect companion for motor-sport enthusiast. Limited to just 500 pieces, the present example is in absolutely mint condition and offered in its complete full set accessories.
Since Zenith's beginnings, founder George Favre-Jacot sought to manufacture precision timepieces, realizing quality control was best maintained when production was housed under one roof. Zenith remains one of the few Swiss manufacturers to produce their own in-house movements to this day.
Today, the brand is best known for the "El Primero," the firm's most successful automatic chronograph movement. In an interesting twist of fate, the company that owned Zenith during the 1970s decided to move on to quartz movements and therefore sought to destroy the parts and tools necessary to make mechanical movements. One watchmaker realized this folly and hid the tools and parts before they were destroyed. In 1984, he returned them to Zenith so they could once again make the El Primero movement.
Ref. 03.2046.4061 A fine and attractive limited edition stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter scale, warranty and presentation box, numbered 168 out of a limited edition of 500
Circa 2015 42mm diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed