THE ZENITH CHRONOGRAPH

PART 2

BY WALT ODETS

THE BOTTOM PLATE

The caliber 410 is supplied with a complete calendar, providing day, date, and month, plus moon phase. While switching functions are conventionally engineered, the quality of finish is exceptional in the context of the cost of the movement.

Details of the calendar and moon switching functions provide a suggestion of the care exhibited in the construction and finish of this caliber.

THE ESCAPEMENT

Beating at 36,000 beats per hour, the escapement uses a smooth, three-spoked Glucydur balance and Nivarox I spring. Shock protection is provided by high-grade KIF units. Fine regulation is accomplished with an eccentric screw on the balance cock. The regulator and balance spring stud appear to be a proprietary Zenith design and are among the very few slightly "rough" components in the movement.

CONCLUSIONS

By today's standards the caliber 410 breaks little new technological ground. The very fast beat escapement may provide some very slight advantage in running regularity compared to a slower movement of similar quality. With regard to chronograph functions, the high beat provides finer resolution (ten beats per second), but no greater accuracy than a slower caliber because of unavoidably imprecise operation of the pushers.

What is absolutely remarkable about the caliber 410 is the value it provides in today's high-grade watch market. Surpassed only by the Piguet and the Lemania 2300 series chronographs, the 410 is available at significantly lower cost. The El Primero's craftsmanship falls short of both, and it is functionally somewhat inferior to the technically more sophisticated Piguets. But it is, in its own right, a well-made, well-crafted, honest piece of work that functions well and defines an entire class of midrange chronographs in which it is the sole entry. In addition to the line of Zenith watches in which it is available, the El Primero is available from a handful of other manufacturers, including Rolex, and affords the opportunity to own a contemporary Rolex with a relatively high-grade movement.

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