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Zenith El Primero Series Operating Instructions Manual

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  • Page 1 O P E R AT I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S...
  • Page 2 ZENITH, BR ANCH OF LVMH SWISS MANUFAC TURES SA , BILLODES 34, 240 0 LE LOCLE, SWIT ZERL AND INFO@ZENITH -WATCHES.COM +41 32 930 62 62...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    C O N T E N T S INTRODUC TION INTERNATIONAL GUAR ANTEE LEGAL PROVISIONS EL PRIMERO ELITE EL PRIMERO 21 ZENITH OSCILL ATOR C ALIBRE 9100 HAUTE HORLOGERIE COMPLIC ATIONS - EL PRIMERO COMPLIC ATIONS - ELITE...
  • Page 4 Z E N I T H , TH E FU T U R E OF S WI SS WATC H M A K I N G SI N C E 1865...

  • Page 5: Introduc Tion

    We also invite 2333 chronometry prizes – an you to sign up as a Zenith watch all-time record. Since being made owner, which will entitle you to an famous by the legendary El Primero extra year's guarantee cover.

  • Page 6: International Guar Antee

    I N T E R N AT I O N A L G UA R A N T E E Zenith watches are the product of our Manufacture and are high-precision, high-tech products. Before your watch leaves the Manufacture, it is subjected to numerous stringent quality checks.
  • Page 7 The decision to repair a Zenith-watch or take any other appropriate measure under this guarantee is at the sole discretion of Zenith, Branch of LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA or its official service centres.

  • Page 8: Legal Provisions

    L E G A L P R OV I S I O N S Zenith guarantees the availability of spare par ts for a period of ten (10) years from the date of purchase (excluding Zenith Icons models). DIAMONDS AND PRECIOUS STONES...
  • Page 9 The Swiss Watchmaking Manufacture Zenith is proud to be RJC-cer tified for having fulfilled the standards established by the organisation’s cer tification system.

  • Page 10: El Primero

    E L P R I M E R O...
  • Page 11 From the very moment you invest in a Zenith watch, you can be absolutely cer tain that you are in possession of a watch that has been produced from star t to finish at the Le Locle Manufacture.
  • Page 12 I M P R E S S I V E N U M B E R S THE PRODUCTION OF AN EL PRIMERO MOVEMENT REQUIRES: MONTHS OF WORK EXPERT CRAFTSMANSHIP MULTIPLE SUCCESSIVE OPERATIONS MILLING OPERATIONS OF THE DIAL SIDE MILLING OPERATIONS OF THE BRIDGE SIDE VARIOUS METALS IN THE CLASSIC VERSION...
  • Page 13 C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S MOVEMENT CALIBRE: 13¼ ``` DIAMETER: 30 MM THICKNESS: 6.5 MM FREQUENCY: 36 000 VIBRATIONS/HOUR (5 HZ) NUMBER OF COMPONENTS: 280 MINIMUM NUMBER OF JEWELS: 31 MINIMUM INDEX-ASSEMBLY WITH FINE ADJUSTMENT POWER RESERVE: 50 HOURS MINIMUM, 60 HOURS MINIMUM FOR THE EL PRIMERO 3600 VERSION...
  • Page 14 W I N D I N G T H E WATC H Your watch is fit ted with an automatic winding mechanical movement. The movement is wound via the crown or the ef fect of the oscillating weight. When the watch is worn, the motion of the wrist activates the oscillating weight to wind the movement.
  • Page 15 WHEN YOUR WATCH HAS STOPPED Not wearing the watch enough causes it to stop. Hold the watch in your hand and turn the crown at least 30 times clockwise. The barrel that contains the mainspring has now been wound. If you do not wear your watch during the night, turn the crown a few times the following morning before you put it on.
  • Page 16 S E T T I N G T H E T I M E Tip: it is easier to set the time while holding the watch rather than wearing it. We recommend gentle, regular turns when rotating the crown. Important for models with a date display: - Always set the time in a clockwise direction to avoid damaging the movement.
  • Page 17 Pull the crown out to position (1). Rotate the hands clockwise to indicate the desired time. At the time signal, push the crown back against the case. For the El Primero 3600 version: Pull the crown out to position (2). Rotate the hands clockwise to indicate the desired time.
  • Page 18 S E T T I N G T H E DAT E STANDARD DATE OR LARGE DATE (2 DISCS)* Impor tant: before changing the date, pull the crown out to position (1) and move the hands to between 2 o'clock and 6 o'clock by rotating them clockwise. For models with an annual calendar, move the hands to between 4 o'clock and 6 o'clock.
  • Page 19 For the El Primero 3600 version: Pull the crown out to position (1). Rotate the crown until the desired date appears. Once the date has been set, you can set the time. Push the crown back against the case.
  • Page 20 S E T T I N G T H E T R I P L E C A L E N DA R MONTH For models that indicate the month, scroll through the dates to the desired month and set the date. The month changes at midnight on the 31 Push the crown back against the case.
  • Page 21 DAY OF THE WEEK* Press the corrector (Y) several times using the Zenith Time Tool, until the desired day appears. Important: do not use a pen or other pointed object. Tip: to verif y the morning (AM) or af ternoon (PM)
  • Page 22 C H R O N O G R A P H F U N C T I O N MEASURING INTERVALS Note: for models equipped with screw-down pushers, unscrew the pushers to use the chronograph functions. Remember to screw the pushers back in af ter the operation.

  • Page 23: Elite

    E L I T E...
  • Page 24 E L I T E M OV E M E N T The Elite movement is an ultra-thin automatic winding mechanical movement. Since its launch in 1994 it has lived up to its name, receiving the award for "Best Mechanical Movement of the Year"...
  • Page 25 C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S MOVEMENT CALIBRE: 11½ ``` DIAMETER: 25.60 MM THICKNESS: 3.28 MM NUMBER OF COMPONENTS: 147 MINIMUM NUMBER OF JEWELS: 26 MINIMUM FREQUENCY: 28,800 VIBRATIONS/HOUR POWER RESERVE: 50 HOURS MINIMUM ANTI-SHOCK DEVICES INDEX-ASSEMBLY WITH FINE ADJUSTMENT CENTRAL ROTOR ON BALL BEARING...
  • Page 26 W I N D I N G T H E WATC H Your watch is fit ted with an automatic winding mechanical movement. The movement is wound via the crown or the ef fect of the oscillating weight. When the watch is worn, the motion of the wrist activates the oscillating weight to wind the movement.
  • Page 27 WHEN YOUR WATCH HAS STOPPED Not wearing the watch enough causes it to stop. Hold the watch in your hand and turn the crown at least 30 times clockwise. The barrel that contains the mainspring has now been wound. If you do not wear your watch during the night, turn the crown a few times the following morning before you put it on.
  • Page 28 S E T T I N G T H E T I M E Tip: it is easier to set the time while holding the watch rather than wearing it. We recommend gentle, regular turns when rotating the crown. Important for models with a date display: - Always set the time in a clockwise direction to avoid damaging the movement.
  • Page 29 Pull out the crown fully. The second hand stops. Rotate the hands clockwise to indicate the desired time. At the time signal, push the crown back against the case.
  • Page 30 S E T T I N G T H E DAT E STANDARD DATE AND LARGE DATE (2 DISCS) Impor tant: before changing the date, move the hands to between 2 o'clock and 6 o'clock, always rotating them clockwise. Pull the crown out to position (1). Rotate the crown until the desired date appears.

  • Page 31: E L P R I M E R O 21

    E L P R I M E R O 21...
  • Page 32 El Primero 21 movement. An impressive frequency of 360,000 vibrations per hour is testament to the groundbreaking ingenuity of Zenith, and enables precise measurement of time periods to a hundredth of a second. The jump from tenths to hundredths of a second is a quantum leap in terms of watchmaking per formance and engineering.
  • Page 33 For Zenith, accuracy is the absolute priority. To avoid any risk of the chronograph af fecting the accuracy of the time display, the El Primero 21 movement is equipped with a "double-chain structure". This means that the time display and...
  • Page 34 C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S MOVEMENT EL PRIMERO 21 CALIBRE 9004 CALIBRE: 14¼ ``` DIAMETER: 32.80 MM THICKNESS: 7.9 MM NUMBER OF JEWELS: 53 NUMBER OF COMPONENTS: 301 2 BARRELS Watch power reserve: 50 hours Frequency: 36,000 vibrations/hour (5 Hz) Unidirectional automatic winding Chronograph power reserve: approximately 50 minutes...
  • Page 35 FUNCTIONS Hours and minutes in the centre Small second at 9 o'clock Chronograph: - Central 1/100th of a second hand - 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock - Second counter at 6 o'clock Chronograph power reserve at 12 o'clock...
  • Page 36 W I N D I N G T H E WATC H Your watch is fit ted with an automatic winding mechanical movement. The movement is wound via the crown or the ef fect of the oscillating weight. When the watch is worn, the motion of the wrist activates the oscillating weight to wind the movement.
  • Page 37 Note: when wound, the power reserve of your watch is approximately 50 hours, but this does not appear on the dial. Only the chronograph power reserve appears on the dial of your watch.
  • Page 38 W I N D I N G T H E C H R O N O G R A P H Alongside the double-chain structure of the calibre, and the remarkable accuracy this ensures, the El Primero 21 movement boasts two other technical innovations: a new, patented chronograph star t / stop/reset mechanism composed of three hear t pieces, and an exclusive star ter mechanism which...
  • Page 39 Note: when fully wound, the chronograph power reserve is around 50 minutes. The power reserve is displayed above the Zenith logo.
  • Page 40 C H R O N O M E T E R C E R T I F I C AT I O N A chronometer is a device that measures time to the highest accuracy, and can be adjusted to dif ferent positions and under a range of temperatures.
  • Page 41 S E T T I N G T H E T I M E Pull the crown out to position (1). Rotate the hands to indicate the desired time. At the time signal, push the crown back against the case.
  • Page 42 C H R O N O G R A P H F U N C T I O N Start/Stop Press the pusher (A) once to star t timekeeping, and again to stop. Resuming the timekeeping function Press the pusher (A) again to resume the timekeeping function.

  • Page 43: Zenith Oscill Ator C Alibre 9100

    Z E N I T H O S C I L L AT O R C A L I B R E 9 10 0...
  • Page 44 (as compared to the usual 4 Her tz) and of fering a comfor table two-day power reserve, the Defy Inventor owes its unique qualities to some state-of- the-ar t technology: the Zenith one-piece oscillator, developed and patented by the Company. A strategic component representing the crowning...
  • Page 45 C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S KEY POINTS A single, one-piece silicon regulating organ (compared to 30 on a standard regulating organ) Bezel made from Aeronith (the world's lightest aluminium composite) High frequency of 18 Hz (129,600 vibrations/hour) No need for lubrication Insensitive to magnetic fields MOVEMENT...
  • Page 46 W I N D I N G T H E WATC H Your watch is fit ted with an automatic winding mechanical movement. The movement is wound via the crown or the ef fect of the oscillating weight. When the watch is worn, the motion of the wrist activates the oscillating weight to wind the movement.
  • Page 47 WHEN YOUR WATCH HAS STOPPED Not wearing the watch enough causes it to stop. Hold the watch in your hand and turn the crown at least 72 times clockwise. The barrel that contains the mainspring has now been wound. If you do not wear your watch during the night, turn the crown a few times the following morning before you put it on.
  • Page 48 Tip: it is easier to set the time while holding the watch rather than wearing it. We recommend gentle, regular turns when rotating the crown. Watches equipped with the Zenith Oscillator movement – 9100 (ZO) have a stop second mechanism that stops the wheel and the oscillator that regulates the watch.

  • Page 49: Haute Horlogerie

    H AU T E H O R L O G E R I E...
  • Page 50 Z E R O G G Y R O S C O P I C E S C A P E M E N T THE DARING COMPLICATION Zenith has produced one of the greatest watchmaking creations of recent years – a complication that required 5 years of technical development.
  • Page 51 The system was subsequently adopted on all marine chronometers. It was this principle that Zenith drew on to free itself from the ef fects of motion and weight. The gravitational field exer ts a downward force on the escapement components which, due to their positions, do not function identically.
  • Page 52 to head westwards (all the others sailed eastwards) to reach his destination of Cathay (China); In doing so, he stumbled upon a new world, a continent that would change the very face of the planet. A free- thinking spirit that rebelled against fixed ideas, at tributes shared by both the visionary explorer and the designers of this daring complication.
  • Page 53 SETTING THE TIME Pull the crown out to position (1). Rotate the hands in either direction to indicate the desired time. At the time signal, push the crown back against the case. Note: for models featuring the Fusee-Chain complication, pull the crown out to position (2).
  • Page 54 F U S E E - C H A I N The Fusee-Chain principle has been used since the 15th century, in par ticular by Leonardo da Vinci. This principle enables a constant torque to be maintained throughout the watch's power reserve, in this case 50 hours.
  • Page 55 OPERATION The barrel, which contains a classic spring, is connected by a chain to a component called a fusee which transmits energy to the movement. When the watch is running, the chain winds around the body of the barrel and unwinds from the fusee following a characteristic curve.
  • Page 56 WINDING THE WATCH Pull the crown out to position (1). Turn from the bot tom upwards to wind the chain on the fusee and reload the barrel spring. Once the chain is fully wound, a lock prevents fur ther rotation. Never force the crown as this could result in breakage.
  • Page 57 SETTING THE TIME Pull the crown out to position (2). Rotate the hands to indicate the desired time. At the time signal, push the crown back against the case.
  • Page 58 SETTING THE DATE To set the date (counter at 3 o’clock), press the corrector (A) several times using the Zenith Time Tool until the desired date appears. Note that the corrector also automatically adjusts the day hand (counter at 9 o'clock).
  • Page 59 SETTING THE MONTH Press the month corrector (C) until the desired month appears, noting the leap years represented by the four th quar ter of the month counter (counter at 12 o'clock). The leap year is shown in a dif ferent colour.
  • Page 60 Position the full moon in the centre of its window or position the hand on the full moon by pressing the corrector (D) several times using the Zenith Time Tool. Using the lunar calendar (see page 83), find the last full moon and count the number of days up to the present day.
  • Page 61 M I N U T E R E P E AT E R F U N C T I O N SETTING THE TIME Impor tant: to avoid damaging the movement, do not set the time when the chime mechanism is engaged.
  • Page 62 ACTIVATING THE MINUTE REPEATER The spring that actuates the chime mechanism is wound by the winding lever (C) located on the outside of the case. To activate the chime mechanism, push the winding lever (C) upwards and maintain the position for 2 seconds before releasing the lever.
  • Page 63 In fact, there are only four days of the year on which the two times match up exactly. Zenith has equipped its most daring model, the Christophe Colomb, with a function that indicates the 'equation of time' – the dif ference between the travel of the hands and the sun.
  • Page 64 Manufacture sought to reconcile when it began designing its prestigious new timepiece. For the very first time on a Zenith watch, a counter at 9 o'clock indicates the equation of time, in other words, the number of minutes that must be added to or subtracted from civil time to ascer tain the true solar time.
  • Page 65 for an entire calendar year. Located on the back of the watch, a special cam whose shape recalls the analemma controls the equation of time display once the current month has been set using the corrector located on the side at 8 o'clock. From a technical perspective, the movement cage had to be shif ted and the gears rebuilt to preserve the per fect symmetry on the dial between the power...
  • Page 66 SETTING THE DATE FOR THE EQUATION OF TIME The date indicator is located on the back of the watch. To set the equation of time if the watch has been stopped for more than a day, hold the watch in your hand and turn it over so that the crown is located on the lef t.
  • Page 67 C O M P L I C AT I O N S...

  • Page 68: Complic Ations - El Primero

    E L P R I M E R O...
  • Page 69 P O W E R R E S E R V E F U N C T I O N The graduated sector with the "–" to "+" indications shows the remaining power reserve. "+": power reserve full "-": power reserve empty or very low.
  • Page 70 F LY B AC K C H R O N O G R A P H RESET AND INSTANT START Press the pusher (B) during a timekeeping operation to reset all the counters and automatically star t another timekeeping operation when the pusher (B) is released.
  • Page 71 S P L I T- S E C O N D C H R O N O G R A P H MEASURING PARTIAL TIME Start/Stop Press the pusher (A) once to star t the timekeeping operation with both hands. Stopping/Restarting the split-second Press the mono-pusher (C) once to stop the split- second hand.
  • Page 72 24 T I M E ZO N E S F U N C T I O N Select the city that represents your current time zone. Using the crown at 11 o'clock, position the city on the 12 o'clock marker. Set the time. Pay at tention to the day/night indicator (sun/star) on the 24-hour disc.
  • Page 73 A L A R M F U N C T I O N Turn the crown at 8 o'clock to wind the alarm, until the white or red par t of the alarm power reserve touches the "+" symbol or the "Full" indication appears in the green zone.
  • Page 74 (X) several times using the Zenith Time Tool. Using the lunar calendar, find the last full moon and count the number of days up to the present day. Press the corrector (X) the same...
  • Page 75 Example: today is 23rd October 2019. The last full moon was on 13th October. Press the corrector 10 times to set the moon phase.
  • Page 76 FULL MOON DATES BETWEEN 2020 AND 2022 2020 2021 2022 January January January February February February March March March April April April June June June July July July August August August September September September October October October October November November November December December...
  • Page 77 FULL MOON DATES BETWEEN 2023 AND 2025 2023 2024 2025 January January January February February February March March March April April April June June June July July July August August August August September September September October October October November November November December December...
  • Page 78 FULL MOON DATES BETWEEN 2026 AND 2028 2026 2027 2028 January January January February February February March March March April April April June June June July July July August August August September September September October October October November November November December December December...
  • Page 79 S E T T I N G T H E A N N UA L C A L E N DA R If your watch has an annual calendar, it will automatically take into account the months with 30 and 31 days. Therefore you do not need to correct the date.
  • Page 80 SETTING THE DATE AND MONTH Pull the crown out to position (2). Turn the crown until the desired month appears (e.g. May), then select the date prior to the one you want to set (e.g. 25 for the 26 Finally, set the time by rotating the hands clockwise. Once the hands pass midnight, the day and date will be set automatically.

  • Page 81: Complic Ations - Elite

    E L I T E...
  • Page 82 S E T T I N G T H E S E C O N D T I M E ZO N E In addition to the local time, your watch can indicate the time in a dif ferent time zone. The date indicates the local date.
  • Page 83 Zenith Time Tool. Using the lunar calendar, find the last full moon and count the number of days up to the present day.
  • Page 84 FOR THE CALIBRE 692, LADY MOONPHASE WATCH Impor tant: to avoid damaging the movement, position the hands in the lower half of the dial between 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Pull the crown out to position (1). Position the full moon in the centre of its window by turning the crown in either direction.
  • Page 85 FULL MOON DATES BETWEEN 2020 AND 2023 2020 2021 2022 January January January February February February March March March April April April June June June July July July August August August September September September October October October October November November November December December...
  • Page 86 FULL MOON DATES BETWEEN 2023 AND 2025 2023 2024 2025 January January January February February February March March March April April April June June June July July July August August August August September September September October October October November November November December December...
  • Page 87 FULL MOON DATES BETWEEN 2026 AND 2028 2026 2027 2028 January January January February February February March March March April April April June June June July July July August August August September September September October October October November November November December December December...
  • Page 88 A u t h o r : Ze n i t h C o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d M a r k e t i n g D e p a r t m e n t ©...
  • Page 89 T I M E TO R E A C H Y O U R S TA R Z E N I T H - W AT C H E S . C O M...

This manual is also suitable for:

Elite seriesEl primero 3600El primero 21El primero 9004Oscillator 9100El primero 8808 equation of time

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