Zenith El Primero Watches

How to choose your ZENITH El Primero watch?

Four criteria guide your choice: the host collection, calibre version, style and legibility. El Primero is the calibre, the movement, not a collection in itself: it powers all Chronomaster and several Defy models. In terms of versions, the El Primero 3600 (Chronomaster Sport) measures to 1/10th of a second thanks to its 5 Hz frequency. The El Primero 3620 (Defy Skyline) is offered as a pure automatic without chronograph. The Open version features a cut-out exposing the escapement directly on the dial. The Revival revisits the original 1970s architecture in 37–38 mm cases. Prices range from €9,500 to over €24,700.

A closer look at the versions helps refine this choice: the El Primero 3600 ★, found in the Chronomaster Sport, beats at 36,000 vph and displays the chronograph to 1/10th of a second, for around €11,500 to €45,100; the base El Primero, on the Chronomaster Original, offers a classic chronograph between €10,300 and €24,700; the El Primero Open, on the Chronomaster Open, skeletonises the chronograph at a comparable price; the vintage version on the Chronomaster Revival, in a compact 37–38 mm case, trades between €9,500 and €10,000; finally the El Primero 3620, fitted to the Defy Skyline as a pure automatic without a chronograph, ranges from €9,500 to €16,500.

Which El Primero for which profile?

• Maximum 1/10 s performance → Chronomaster Sport
• Classicism and triple calendar → Chronomaster Original
• Visible mechanics on the dial → Chronomaster Open
• 1970s spirit, compact case → Chronomaster Revival
• Automatic without chronograph → Defy Skyline

The Auberi insight: the Chronomaster Sport is our most requested El Primero on the Côte d'Azur, its iconic tricolour dial is equally at home in Monaco as in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. For clients who want the El Primero without a chronograph, the Defy Skyline 41 mm is the most versatile sport alternative.

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