Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton Intense Black

Quick specs Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton Intense Black Price: $ 47,600 | € 49.700 | CHF 49’000 | approx. £ 38,300 Size: 45 mm Reference: 49.2520.4035/98.R576

The Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton Intense Black combines sinister looks with great technology. Almost everything is black or black-ish, except for the tips of the chronograph hands. And it features a tourbillon combined with a high-frequency chronograph.

Every serious watch brand produces black models (some a lot) and now even the more and most complicated time pieces are available in black. This model has a 45-millimeter black ceramic case, black, grey and steel toned parts and ruthenium-blackened hands. To keep it dark, the rubber strap is black too, as well as the titanium folding clasp which is black PVD coated.

The movement of the Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton Intense Black is based on the famous El Primero created in 1969

Inside is Zenith’s El Primero caliber 4035B. The El Primero movement was created in 1969 and it was the first automatic movement with integrated chronograph ever. It also enabled 1/10th of a second precision, the equivalent of 36,000 vibrations per hour. So, it is a very fine and historic caliber to expose in a skeleton watch, especially when it is combined with a tourbillon. Which can be seen at the 11 o’clock position.

With all these dark colors, it is less easy to see (and enjoy) all the details of the tourbillon and movement. When you compare it to a more traditional colored one, with different shades of gold and/or silver and/or steel. On the other hand, it is even more special than ‘just a skeletonized tourbillon’…