2022 Zenith x Bamford Chronomaster El Primero ‘Radar’
Ref: 03.2082.400/02.R830
Specification
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Like-New
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Zenith box, swing tag and Zenith paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 21mm Zenith black rubber strap with red stitching and a signed micro-blasted triple folding deployant clasp. The watch is from November 2022 and is sold in like-new condition, as you can see from the photographs. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Pmjm_r3osEZw2rs_Gn7Vz2v11UvmnP0Q?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 6:14 - https://youtu.be/Qule_MKRu60
The Watch
Here we have a 2022 Zenith x Bamford Chronomaster El Primero ‘Radar’ limited to 50 pieces, it draws its inspiration from the Zenith 1969/71 A385 dial. This collaborative model released in 2019 was made between two instinctively creative minds of Jean Claude Biver at LVMH and George Bamford and sold exclusively in their Zenith Boutiques. The 42mm micro-blasted matte stainless steel case curves over your wrist with tapered flat-ended lugs, and a bevel edge leads to a lug-to-lug length of 50.5mm and a case thickness of 14mm giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the right side, we have the piston-style chronograph pushers and a signed crown in the centre. A slim bezel holds a domed sapphire crystal AR coated on both sides above a grey smoked fumé tri-compax dial, and an outer white Tachymeter scale chapter ring surrounds a minute track precisely executed in a tooth-shaped pattern. Applied Ruthenium-plated facet-edged baton indexes filled with Super-LumiNova mark the hours, at 3 o’clock a red and black “Radar” 30-minute register, its marker arrangement is inspired by a 1916 Zenith pocket watch and glows in the dark with Super-LumiNova, at 6 o’clock a 12-hour register, framed date window below, and finally at 9 o’clock concentric circular small seconds register, each with a Ruthenium-plated hand tipped in red, Ruthenium-plated hands tipped in white Super-LumiNova are complemented by a skeletonised star counterweighted white chronograph hand, at 12 o’clock we have an applied Zenith motif “El Primero Bamford” printed underneath completing this distinctive vintage inspired collaboration tri-compax chronograph. On the reverse, a screw-down exhibition case back with the details engraved around its edge and the limited number out of 50, inside an automatic Zenith El Primero 400B, 31 jewels beating at 36,000 beats per hour, this high-beat column wheel chronograph movement is made up of 326 components and has a skeletonised Zenith star rotor. The watch comes paired with its 21mm black rubber strap with red stitching and a signed micro-blasted triple folding deployant clasp and is sold with its original Zenith box, swing tag and Zenith paperwork.
Personal Note
Limited to 50 watches total, this Zenith x Bamford Chronomaster El Primero 'Radar' is one of the most limited editions that Zenith has produced. The finishing to the stainless steel case provides a tone that perfectly suits the dynamic and interesting dial inspired by a vintage El Primero, would we expect any less from the mind of Bamford? I would not hesitate to snap this up and add it to your collection, with 50 total who knows when we will next see another?
The Brand
The Bamford Watch Company was founded by George Bamford in 2016, based in Mayfair London. They are famous for personalising and customising watches which all began when George had his Rolex Datejust DLC coated which was seen by many while in France and he returned with 25 people wanting the same process done to their watches, hence Bamford Watch Company was created. In 2017 Jean Claude Biver who was head of LVMH at the time saw the potential of offering their Bvlgari, Zenith and TAG Heuer customers this distinctive customisation without voiding any warranty and Bamford became their official customiser. Since then many brands have seen the same potential and successful collaborations have resulted. Due to this success, Bamford now offers its own line of watches including the Mayfair and GMT models including Limited Editions.
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. Zenith is one of the only Swiss manufacturers to still produce their in-house movements. Their most recognised movement is the El Primero; it was released in 1969, went into production in 1975 and was re-issued in 1986.