Zenith El Primero A386 « The One-Off »

It was the bang heard around the world as auctioneer Aurel Bacs brought his gavel down for the winning bid on the one-off El Primero in platinum at Geneva Watch Auction X today. The 50th Anniversary celebrations of Zenith’s legendary timepiece, the first-ever automatic integrated chronograph – hence the famous name El Primero – introduced in 1969 could not have ended on a higher note. Indeed, this truly unique exemplar, designed exclusively to commemorate this historic milestone, went for a stunning USD 250’650 (CHF 250’000).

The gala event held on the eve of the auction at Geneva’s fabled La Réserve resort on 8 November presented the perfect occasion for setting the stage. The select circle of around 300 guests, great collectors, friends and journalists were invited on a fascinating tour of the year 1969 moderated by none other than Nick Foulkes, author and horological connoisseur of taste extraordinaire. Julien Tornare, CEO of Zenith, peppered his account of the extraordinary journey behind the making of the El Primero legend with memorable anecdotes. If the show performed by Romain the Illusionist had everybody spellbound in their seats, the standing ovation for the makers of the El Primero made for a truly magical experience as well.