The new Zenith El Primero Espada is a good looking three-handed watch for 2012, styled with all the restraint and refinement that has now become a signature of the brand. There’s a lot of choice in terms of dials. Maybe too much choice, but it is still one of the best of the Baselworld bunch.
It’s good to see that classical styling and traditional values, which made Zenith special in the first place, are back. The El Primero Espada is sure to please most Zenith traditionalists.
The Espada comes with a sensibly sized 40mm stainless steel case, the dial features handsome applied indices and faceted hands. The date window is at three o’clock. The watch is powered by the famous automatic in-house Zenith El Primero 4650B with 50 hours of power reserve, the first edition of this movement was introduced in 1969 and is said to be the first high frequency chronograph which beats at 36,000 vph, but it is undeniably the first with an integrated winding mechanism.
The new Zenith Espada is not a Limited Edition, and it’s available in black, white or a very vintage silver dial editions. Expected retail price should be around $6,550 for the steel case and bracelet models.
Specifications:
Movement: El Primero 4650 B, automatic
Calibre: 13¼“` (Diameter: 30 mm)
Thickness: 5.58 mm
Components: 210
Jewels: 22
Frequency: 36’000 VpH – (5 Hz)
Power reserve: min. 50 hours
Finishings: Oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” pattern.
Function : Hours and minutes in the center, Central second hand, Date indicator at 3 o’clock
Case: Dial & Hands :18-carat rose gold and stainless steel; or stainless steel; or 18-carat rose gold with or without diamonds
Diameter : 40 mm
Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment on both sides
Case-back: Transparent sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 10 ATM
Dial: Black, or brown, or silver sunray, or white; Brown with or without diamonds or white mother-of-pearl with baguette diamonds
Hour-markers: Rhodium with SuperLuminova SLN C1, faceted (with or without gold plating); Gold-plated rhodium with SuperLuminova SLN C1, faceted or 11 baguette diamonds or round diamonds
Hand: Rhodium with SuperLuminova SLN C1, faceted (with or without gold plating); or Gold-plated rhodium with SuperLuminova SLN C1, faceted
Straps & Buckle:
Metal bracelets :
bi-color bracelet Ref.: 27.86.2170.4650
metal bracelet : Ref.: 27.02.2170.4650
Stainless steel triple folding buckle
Alligator leather strap with protective rubber lining or 18-carat rose gold bracelet :
brown alligator leather Ref.: 27.00.2016.713
18-carat rose gold pin buckle Ref.: 27.18.0016.002
18-carat rose gold bracelet Ref.: 27.17.2170.4650
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I hope Zenith will extend the Espada collection in coming years. A GMT (dual time) version would be nice. And why not a big date model too. I think there are lots of people who want an option to the countless Rolex Oysters´ and Omega Seamaster Acqua Terra versions.