It is 50 years since Zenith first unveiled its El Primero chronograph movement, and the company is marking the occasion with the launch of an anniversary box set containing three chronographs, the first of which looks just like the 1969 Chronomaster El Primero that first used the calibre.
It is the first time that Zenith has returned faithfully to the 1969 original design, which introduced the three-coloured subdial layout: light grey for seconds, blue for minutes and anthracite for hours.
Along with the El Primero Chronograph, the box contains two of its direct descendants, a Zenith Chronomaster 2 and a piece from the recently launched Defy El Primero 21 with its 1/100th of a second chronograph.
Enticingly, there is space for a fourth watch in the anniversary box set, which will be filled when Zenith introduces a model using a 1/1000th of a second chronograph. In an era when it is often impossible to secure the newest, hottest, limited production models, this fourth watch could be a clincher for collectors.
Only 50 of the anniversary box set are being made priced at £50,000.