Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 the Rolling Stones Edition: Rapid heartbeat

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 – The Rolling Stones Edition. Introduced in 2014 and limited to 250 pieces. It features the El Primero 4061 automatic movement, the 30-minute counter in the original 1969 midnight blue, the 12-hour counter in the original 1969 slate grey and has the iconic “tongue and lip” logo of the Rolling Stones on the 12-hour counter. The display case back is engraved with the Rolling Stones’ red tongue and lip logo inscribed with “The Rolling Stones Edition”. Photo: © Zenith

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 – The Rolling Stones Edition. Introduced in 2014 and limited to 250 pieces. It features the El Primero 4061 automatic movement, the 30-minute counter in the original 1969 midnight blue, the 12-hour counter in the original 1969 slate grey and has the iconic “tongue and lip” logo of the Rolling Stones on the 12-hour counter. The display case back is engraved with the Rolling Stones’ red tongue and lip logo inscribed with “The Rolling Stones Edition”. Photo: © Zenith

There is now a wristwatch fans of British rock band the Rolling Stones and Zenith will be happy with – the limited edition El Primero Chronomaster 1969 the Rolling Stones Edition.

Limited to 250 pieces and powered by the El Primero Calibre 4061 automatic movement, two of the chronograph counters will be in the original El Primero colours of 1969 – midnight blue for the 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and slate grey for the 12-hour chronograph counter at 6 o’clock.

In addition, fans of the Rolling Stones will be pleased to see the iconic red “tongue and lip” logo of the Rolling Stones on the 12-hour chronograph counter.

The “tongue and lip” logo was designed by John Pasche in 1970 and this watch will definitely be reminiscent of the late 1960s, early 1970s.

“Disruptive thinking gave birth in the 1960s to the first [El Primero] chronograph movement timing to one-tenth of a second. The same ‘outside-of-the-box’ thinking gave birth to the new Blues and rock ‘n’ roll music.

“Both Zenith and the Rolling Stones`are today living legends. No wonder they are teaming up,” says Jean-Claude Biver, director, LVMH Group Watch Division.

No sunglasses needed for Jean-Claude Biver (Director, LVMH Group Watch Division) with his son (in denim jacket) with band members of the Rolling Stones, just his watchmaker's loupe. Photo: © Zenith

No sunglasses needed for Jean-Claude Biver (Director, LVMH Group Watch Division) with his son (in denim jacket) with band members of the Rolling Stones, just his watchmaker’s loupe. Photo: © Zenith

We actually have another unofficial explanation to offer. It is generally accepted that listening to rock music will lead to a higher heartbeat than your baseline. Similarly, Zenith’s famed El Primero movement, with its heartbeat of 36,000 vibrations per hour, is generally higher than most of the frequencies of other movements.

This rapid “heartbeating” is the link between both brands. The only difference is: once the rock music stops and when you listen to a relaxing tune, your heart rate will slow. This will not be the case for the Zenith El Primero, as long as it beats, it will be a rapid 36,000 vibrations per hour heartbeat.

Other related articles on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i. Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Tribute to The Rolling Stones: “Brexit” watch?
ii. Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Tribute to The Rolling Stones: Then and now

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter: Scaling new heights

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter (launched in 2014). It houses the Calibre 733 automatic movement with its base being the SW200. The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter is the most complicated pilot’s watch the brand has ever made. Recommended retail price: CHF3,300 with textile strap, CHF3,500 / SGD5,000 with metal bracelet. SGD4,700 with textile strap. Photo: © Oris

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter (launched in 2014). It houses the Calibre 733 automatic movement with its base being the SW200. The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter is the most complicated pilot’s watch the brand has ever made. Recommended retail price: CHF3,300 with textile strap, CHF3,500 / SGD5,000 with metal bracelet. SGD4,700 with textile strap. Photo: © Oris

What more can Oris offer after the 2013 Oris Aquis Depth Gauge which measures the submerged depth?

[Note: TimeWerke Magazine Vol. IX, pages 276 to 278 has a detailed write-up on the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge].

The answer is already here and that is the 2014 Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter. As its name implies, this mechanical watch is able to measure the current altitude and air pressure.

Before this can be done, one must first unscrew the screw-down crown at 4 o’clock which operates the altimeter. When the red ring around the crown can be seen, the altimeter will begin its work.

The yellow indicator will indicate the altitude using the scales on the outer dial ring as the reference. Altitudes of up to 15,000 feet can be measured (or 4,500 metres).

The air pressure scale is recessed between the altimeter scale and the central dial. The corresponding air pressure at the current altitude is given by the red indicator.

Having read the altitude and air pressure, the crown can then be screwed back in and this seals the watch and allows it to be water-resistant to 100 metres.

Two versions of the ProPilot Altimeter are available: one with the reference scale in feet, the other in metres.

With the mechanical altimeter fitted into a mechanical wristwatch, the ProPilot Altitude has become the most complicated pilot’s watch made by Oris.