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Old 30 July 2016, 05:55 AM   #1
rockmastermike
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Zenith El Primero Pilot Chrono

Visually striking with large white markers and well proportioned white hands against a black dial. Chrono dials and hands are also high visibility.

Highly legible and highly functional - Yes....but there is much more subtle design ques to consider as we work around this magnificent piece.

We will break this watch down into dial, lugs, case, pushers/crown and movement.



Matte black dial has a slight egg-shell appearance. The texture is not seen, at least by me, on the wrist but can been seen "up close"....just one of the subtle details Zenith baked into the Pilot Chrono. In nice contrast to the dial is the highly polished applied Zenith Star and strongly printed text







Date aperture is at 6:00. Note how Zenith kept the hash marks going on top of the window. "The circle will be unbroken"



Speaking of hash marks - on the internal bezel, this watch features a Telemeter function. Not seen as much as the Tachymeter scale but still pretty darn cool. Simplified definitions stolen from the web:

Tachymeter: Calculate speed of vehicles or moving objects. It tells you the traveling speed over a fixed distance in km/hour or miles/hour. You can also use it to measure a production process in units/hour.

Telemeter: Calculate distances between the user and an event based of sound through the air when observation is both visible and audible. Start the function when you see and stop it when you hear it....Lightning or Artillery for example.



The markers are thick. Thick enough to 1) give depth to the dial and 2) give it superior lume
Also note the chrono dial has the old school longer indicators at 3, 6 and 9 minutes. Another nice detail by Zenith







The lugs are brushed with polished bevels that when they reflect light makes my heart smile. Notice the lower right hand lug in the next two pictures and the difference a slight tilt will make





The lugs seemlessly and gracefully flow into the mid-case. Also notice the slightly domed crystal comes out of the bezel.



Turning to the business side of the case...the pushers are rectangles, not seen as often as round pushers but well done by Zenith. Practically, I appreciate the flat pushers allow my big paws better, cleaner and more functional access to the crown



The signed crown is slightly wider/taller than I expected, not overdone by any means, just better proportioned for gloves or someone who doesn't want to have to dig or struggle to operate the crown.



For the sharp-eyed of the readers, in the picture above you may have noticed a little "up turn" in the bottom lines of the case the closer you get to the crown.....a subtle detail of functionality presented is a cut out for ease of winding or push/pull of the crown



Turing over we see the open caseback is secured to the case by 4 screws through 4 arching rounded tabs.
For such a bold watch, there are tons of subtleties throughout



Through the clear caseback you see the 31 jewel El Primero 4002 caliber column wheel chronograph movement with 50+ hours of power reserve





Skeletonized Rotor predominately features the Zentih Star



Fun Facts on the movement from the Zenith Operating Manual:



Conclusion:

Powerful combination of stark boldness with flowing curves and subtle details on top, middle and underside of the watch

10/10



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Old 30 July 2016, 05:56 AM   #2
rockmastermike
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Forgot to mention that with this movement the first crown pull adjusts the time and the second crown pull adjusts the date, the opposite of my other watches.
different but cool, imho
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Old 30 July 2016, 06:27 PM   #3
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Thanks for highly detailed photographs. I read this in one of the watch related sites. It sounded a bit weird at first but I see you can easily adapt yourself into the adjusting the watch complications
Zenith El Primero Movement is not only one of the best movements but also nicely decorated for a watch which is automatic
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Old 30 July 2016, 07:40 PM   #4
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Nice review, thanks
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Old 30 July 2016, 11:22 PM   #5
1William
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Great review. Thanks.
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Old 31 July 2016, 12:22 AM   #6
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Great review! It makes me want to buy one! Congrats
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Old 31 July 2016, 12:22 AM   #7
rockmastermike
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Quote:
Originally Posted by regnant View Post
Thanks for highly detailed photographs. I read this in one of the watch related sites. It sounded a bit weird at first but I see you can easily adapt yourself into the adjusting the watch complications
Zenith El Primero Movement is not only one of the best movements but also nicely decorated for a watch which is automatic
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Originally Posted by Psmith View Post
Nice review, thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1William View Post
Great review. Thanks.
Thank you. I definitley enjoy wearing this more than I thoughtI would
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Old 31 July 2016, 01:53 AM   #8
ming the merciless
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Thanks for the review. Patiently waiting for the return of my " Rainbow Flyback " from Zenith.
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Old 31 July 2016, 04:02 AM   #9
joli160
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Very nice write up, enjoy your beautiful watch
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Old 31 July 2016, 05:34 PM   #10
malarky_hk
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Great photos and a nice review of a cool looking watch. Zenith is an often overlooked brand but one that is a lot of value for the money. Enjoy your new watch.
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Old 1 August 2016, 03:55 AM   #11
ThomG
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Congratulations on getting the El Primero Pilot. The Zenith brand has so much to offer. It's by far my favorite watch brand, and I have several examples that I wear regularly.
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Old 13 May 2017, 11:30 AM   #12
sea-dweller
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Nice photos and review!
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Old 13 May 2017, 05:20 PM   #13
rootbeer7
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great review and pictures
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Old 14 May 2017, 01:15 AM   #14
subtona
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Very nice looking watch. Nice details and review.
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Old 19 May 2017, 12:48 PM   #15
Maxtor
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Great review. Beautiful watch.
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Old 31 May 2017, 10:59 AM   #16
shawndww
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Love the review . Love the watch.one of my favourite daily wearers.
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