Technically advanced, high-beat chronograph timepieces are today very much in demand. The Zenith El Primero G381, has few rivals in that regard; both in style and rarity. According to Manfred R?ssler, in his important work on the history of the brand, only 700 examples of this 18k gold G381 were made between 1969 and 1972.?And - carrying the Calibre 3019 PHC - this piece belongs to the prestigious line of the first-ever automatic chronographs.

There has been a continuing and passionate debate about which manufacturer developed worlds first self-winding chronograph, amongst the consortium of Heuer, Buren-Hamilton, Breitling, Dubois-Depraz and Seiko. Much of the argument has subsided in recent years, thanks to almost a decades tireless documentation by the original sports-chronograph collectors, such as Jeff Stein, founder of , and author of .

According to the latter, Zenith was the first to announce the innovation. Having begun research and development as early as 1962, it debuted a working prototype at a pre-emptive press conference in Switzerland in early 1969. Rivals entered global production in August of 1969, while Zenith made the 3019 PHC publicly available in October the same year. Zenith proudly claims the El Primero to be the first-ever automatic chronograph, emphasizing its full integration and completeness - with a column-wheel and central rotor on ball bearings - as opposed to a being a modular addition. The name El Primero by no coincidence translates to the first.

The debate that may never truly be extinguished, but the El Primero movement will forever keep its claim as a first. It certainly had a huge impact on horological development. Other than being the first fully-integrated automatic chronograph, the movement was also a pioneer of high-frequency. Beating at a rate of 36,000 A/h, vs. at 19,800 A/h of its Calibre 11 competitors, the 5hz beat rate allows measurement up to 1/10th of a second, in comparison to up to just one-fifth of a second (at a rate of 2.5hz) of its contemporaries.

In 1985, Zenith resurrected the El Primero line, reissuing the calibre 3019PHC (as the calibre 40.0), and it is still in production today under the designation calibre 400. One of the most widely respected Rolex Daytona references, the 16500, used the base calibre 400 in its re-designed flagship sports watch in 1988.

This stunning example of the Zenith El Primero Ref. G381?is from 1969/70 (With serial number 200 XXXX). Whilst the aesthetics are undeniably?attractive, it is the condition that stands out. Vintage sports watches typically have tell-tale signs of being over-worn. However this rare G381?has been remarkably well preserved. The?round, yellow gold?case measures 38 mm in diameter (48 mm from lug to lug) and has large chronograph pushers and the original, signed, fluted crown, each retaining their definition. Both the case and the straight-line lugs are sharp and thick, and the bezel beautifully grained with sunburst patterning. The unique reference number is visible on the screw-down case-back.

Similarly to the case, the silver?dial with black sub-registers is in excellent condition, has applied, faceted gold?index markers for the hours. The tritium lume on the matchstick handset and index hour markers have aged to a creamy?yellow patina. Further to this, the watch also features a red paddle chronograph hand, displayed on many Zenith El Primero examples of the era, whilst the dial is surrounded by a silver tachymeter scale.

The watch carries the above-mentioned self-winding 3019 PHC calibre, considered by many as one of the most famous column-wheel operated chronographs of all time. The movement features 31 jewels and a bi-directional central rotor, beating at 36,000 A/h, with a power reserve of 50-hours.

Together with a grey suede strap and matching, vintage gold Zenith buckle, this piece makes and excellent dress and sports watch.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

This 18k Gold Zenith El Primero (ref. G381) watch is remarkably well preserved. The?round, yellow gold?case measures 38 mm in diameter (48 mm from lug to lug) and has large chronograph pushers and the original, signed, fluted crown, each retaining their definition. Both the case and the straight-line lugs are sharp and thick, and the bezel beautifully grained with sunburst patterning. The unique reference number is visible on the screw-down case-back. Similarly to the case, the silver?dial with black sub-registers is in excellent condition, has applied, faceted gold?index markers for the hours. The tritium lume on the matchstick handset and index hour markers have aged to a creamy?yellow patina. It is guaranteed for authenticity and comes with?a two-year?warranty from A Collected Man.