Here is an interesting story that brings out the origination of the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Radar special edition watch with Bamford Watch Department. It goes back to the time, when George Bamford first visited the Zenith manufacture and came across a pocket watch from 1916.
The watch was distinct with its striking red accents on the dial, thus making a mark on Bamford. It’s gone on to become the source of inspiration for the Radar series. I appreciate the fact that instead of simply recreating the past, Bamford has taken the design cues to create a Chronomaster El Primero with a ‘distinctly retro-futuristic aesthetic.’
Zenith Boutiques Special: The Chronomaster El Primero Radar
Limited to only fifty watches, the Chronomaster El Primero Radar keeps to the original design cues and hosts a stainless steel case with an over-all matte finish. This includes the crown and pushers. The watch comes with a tri-compax dial, and the oversized counters have been given a few exclusive twists. The counters are designed such that they have a burnt brown hue, which darkens towards the edge. This makes a very impactful vision on the watch.
The white tachymeter scale (with a radial design) around the periphery of the dial is very contrasting in comparison to the whole look. If you find this approach familiar, then it’s because this styling has been featured in many ‘historical’ El Primero watches. On the dial, you will find that each of the three chronograph subdials is different. The subdial to the left is the small seconds display and showcases the concentric circles.
The chronograph hour totalizer at 6 o’clock is more on the lines of a traditional Chronomaster design. The minutes counter at 3 o’clock has a bold red register that glows in the dark. It has been coated with SuperLuminova to increase the visibility of the dial, at night – the ‘night vision’ effect.
The Movement and More
The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Radar watch houses the El Primero Caliber 400 B, under the dial. The movement comprises of 326 components and operates at 36,000vph train count. Talking about being an inspired timepiece, the wavy minute track takes its cues from the El Primero “Cover Girl.” The burnt brown dial is inspired by the Zenith A385 from 1969-71, and the bright red subdial at 3 o’clock has its cues taken from the Zenith Pocket watch from 1916.
The Chronomaster El Primero Radar is teamed with a strap made from rubber with a cordura effect on top. The strap is designed with double stitching along with red threads. The case measures 42mm water resistance is 100 meters. The watch will be available from November; you can pick it up for $7,900.