1973 Zenith El Primero Surf 3019PHC 36mm 01.0210.415
Ref: 01.0210.415
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as “Watch Only” and, therefore, has no original Zenith box or Zenith paperwork. The watch comes paired with a well-suited 19mm leather strap and pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1973 and is sold in worn condition, but overall, it is in very fair condition for its age, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nl50OHNAjX81pFoYJz7h6eRaRqDxI6us?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 8:35 - https://youtu.be/etpJVvBuUOU
The Watch
Here we have a 1973 Zenith El Primero Surf 3019PHC 01.0210.415 with a classic 36mm “C” shaped stainless steel case, a subtle curve of the case leads to a lug-to-lug length of 39.5mm and a case thickness of 13mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. We have the piston chronograph pushers down the right side and a signed crown in the centre. A polished smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above a striking silver dial, and an outer minute track is precisely executed with applied gold-coloured baton indexes marking the hours; between 4 and 5, we have a date window; at 3 o’clock, a 30-minute register, at 6 o’clock a 12-hour register and finally at 9 o’clock continuous seconds register, each recessed adding depth and interest to the dial. Slender baton hands have luminous tips complemented by a tapered chronograph hand; at 12 o’clock, we have an applied Zenith motif with Automatic El Primero printed underneath. On the reverse, a screw-down case back, inside an automatic Zenith Cal. 3019PHC was released in 1969; this was one of the first automatic chronographs. The watch comes paired with a well-suited 19mm leather strap and pink buckle.
Personal Note
This vintage Zenith El Primero Surf is the perfect example of what can still be found in the vintage world at great prices. Coming in at under £3,000 this is an absolute no-brainer for any watch collector out there. Featuring a silver-tone dial, this watch has a very monochromatic look, which means it is an absolute strap monster. Whether you appreciate historical significance or simply love the timeless design of a true classic, this El Primero Surf is a rare and remarkable find worth adding to your collection today!
The Brand
Zenith was founded in 1865 by 22-year-old watchmaker Georges Favre-Jacot. Their manufacturing was based in Le Locle, Switzerland. Famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who was the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911 and the North Pole in 1926, wore Zenith watches on his expeditions. In 1999, Zenith was purchased by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton,) joining brands like TAG and Hublot. Their most recognised movement is the El Primero; it was released in 1969, went into production in 1975, and was re-issued in 1986. The introduction of the El Primero Automatic as the world's first Automatic Chronograph had a run from 1969 until 1975 when it was decided by Zenith Radio Corporation owners at that time until 1978, that all mechanical movements should cease production and all production be transferred to quartz. It was decreed that everything connected with the manual and El Primero movements be destroyed, but thanks to the foresight of Charles Vermot, a foreman of one of the workshops, who hid away as much as he could get his hands on over several months, including the 150 presses, thus saving these incredible movements. Thanks to a new contract, In 1989, Rolex introduced the Daytona Ref 16520 with the El Primero Cal. 4030 inside, which had a number of alterations made by Rolex, and it was kept under wraps as to who they got their movements from, unsurprisingly.