In 1969, Zenith presented El Primero, the world’s first integrated automatic chronograph movement. That same year, one of the world’s best-known rock bands reached the height of its fame. To celebrate this pivotal date, Zenith is launching a new version of the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute to The Rolling Stones, issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition.
As a truly worthy heir to the model that revolutionised the watch industry more than 40 years ago, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute to The Rolling Stones reprises its codes while introducing a very dark, contemporary, rock-style look. Firstly, by its DLC-coated titanium case fitted with pierced lugs, a design inspired by another icon from the same lineage: the El Primero Lightweight. It also features an automatic El Primero 4061 chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute): a novel feature that will apply to all Open models. This signature concept involving a dial opening at 11 o’clock revealing the regulating organ of the watch was born in 2003. The Rolling Stones model is also remarkable in terms of the avant-garde material used for the lever and escape-wheel: silicon. This material is harder and lighter than steel, as well as significantly more wear-resistant and less energy-hungry due to its low friction coefficient. It is also anti-magnetic and does away with lubrication-related problems.
The hands echo the shape of the fretboard on the Fender Telecaster guitar played by Keith Richards. In addition, the snailed finish of the minute circle, as well as on the two 30-minute and 12-hour counters at 3 and 6 o’clock, are hollowed out like a dish, evoking the grooves on vinyl records. But this El Primero dedicated to the Rolling Stones is still very much a chronograph, since its inner bezel ring features a transfer bearing 300 divisions corresponding to fifths of a second. The central seconds hand is fitted with a star-shaped counterpoise. In the only touch of colour, its tip (like that of the counter hands and the small seconds trident at 9 o’clock) is red to ensure enhanced readability.
The El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute to The Rolling Stones also bears the other signature of this line: a slender bezel ensuring a generous dial opening and a box-style, slightly domed crystal enabling the light to pour in from the side and thus further enhance legibility.
Fitted with a black PVD-coated triple folding clasp, the strap is composed of a rubber ‘spine’ featuring a Barenia leather insert. It is personalised in the ‘colours’ of the group and its native country, with the tongue logo and the British flag (Union Jack) tone-on-tone heat-embossed on the leather.
The transparent sapphire crystal pane fitted on the case-back provides a view of the oscillating weight engraved with the famous red tongue and “The Rolling Stones Edition” inscription.
The presentation box houses an inner box bearing the handwritten logo of the brand and that of Zenith, as well as a main case bearing the red tongue motif on the leather casing. The interior is also red to echo the dominant colour. The El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute to The Rolling Stones is a 1,000-piece limited edition.
