Christie’s auctioned this week in Geneva a rare 1970 El Primero Espada
issued in a 25-piece production run. This incredible piece is equipped with
the legendary 3019 PHC automatic calibre, the watch industry’s first ever
automatic high-frequency integrated chronograph, displaying a range of
functions including the day, month, date and moonphase.

The Manufacture wished to have this piece back in its museum collection. To
achieve this aim, Zenith had to bid all the way up to 37,500 Swiss francs
in order to secure this prized model. Effectively, the value of El Primero
timepieces is steadily increasing as they continue to earn ever higher
esteem among watch collectors and aficionados.