Messages: 12555 Location: Little River, CA
Registered: November 2003
Vintage MOVADO "The Big Blue" TV SCREEN El Primero PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER
Sun, 16 January 2011 11:32
The development of the "El Primero" automatic chronograph movement in the late 1960's was a colloborative effort between Zenith and Movado that coincided with the brief economic merger of the two companies. The "El Primero" was so named because it was the first automatic chronograph movement ever produced, and for years was used by Rolex in the production of their "Daytona" chronographs. Here is an extraordinarily rare early vintage Movado "El Primero," very likely one of the first ever produced, in absolutely stunning all original condition! If you're looking for a highly collectible complicated timepiece of historical importance, you can't do much better than this! Here's the details on this superb timepiece: MOVADO/ZENITH (SS/SS "El Primero" Automatic Chronograph) - Excellent 39mm signed stainless steel screwback case with unusual pivoting chronograph push-button flange (42mm in diameter including the flange), signed 31 jewel calibre 3019PHC automatic chronograph movement, near-mint signed original steel blue dial with three sunken rectangular registers (constant seconds, minutes to 30, hours to 12), bevelled outer tachymetre chapter ring, silver hands and white chronograph sweep seconds, quickset date aperture at 4:30, signed original crown, signed original heavy stainless steel flip-clasp bracelet. This jointly produced Movado/Zenith "El Primero" automatic chronograph was debuted at the 1969 Basel Watch Fair and immediately became one of the most reknown chronograph movements in horological history, and the durability of the El Primero movement has justified its lofty praise. After colloborating on the development of the "El Primero" movement, Movado and Zenith merged in September, 1969. This early vintage "El Primero" is co-signed Zenith and Movado, as were only the earliest of productions of this merger. This rare and highly collectible chronograph is in excellent all original condition throughout! The signed stainless steel screwback case is also marked, "Surf, Stainless Steel, 01-0200-415" on the outer caseback. The case features an unusual pivoting chronograph flange which activates the chronograph functions when pressed. The high-grade 31 jewel signed calibre 3019PHC automatic chronograph movement is running fine, keeping excellent time, and the chronograph and quickset calendar functions work as designed. The steel blue sunken dial is near-mint and original, and is signed with the Zenith logo at 12:00 and the words, "Movado, Automatic, El Primero, Swiss Made." The crown is signed and original, and the crystal is in good condition. The heavy link stainless steel integrated bracelet is original to the watch and signed with the Zenith logo on the clasp, which shows very little wear. The bracelet will fit up to a 7.5 inch wrist, and the entire watch and bracelet measure just over 8 inches. This wonderful specimen of the early Movado/Zenith "El Primero" automatic chronograph is in excellent condition throughout, showing much less wear than most watches of this vintage. Acquired from the original owner, who purchased it new in 1969. You will not find a finer example of the early "El Primero" chronograph anywhere! STUNNING SS/SS EARLY MOVADO/ZENITH "EL PRIMERO" AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH! ALL ORIGINAL! Sell for $1995 plus shipping ($20 US Delivery or $35 International via Global Express).
- Cliff Helander