I’m pleased to introduce to you the new publication by Manfred Rössler, simply titled El Primero – Der Chronograph, covering all models from 1969 until 2001. This is not an updated edition of the well known coffee table book published in 2008, which covers all kinds of Zenith watches. This new book is completely different: imagine a collection of Mr. Rössler's own updated notes, tables, further informations about El Primero watches, gathered over decades, condensed into a catalogue and bound between two hard bookplates. This is a workbook, do not expect typographic finesse nor aesthetic surprises. Also no surprises regarding the book’s structure: The table of contents does not list a few pages separating the introductory chapters and showing scans of historic ads, brochures, and design drawings including an exploding view of the El Primero movement. The author uses the foreword to characterize the scrappy information situation of his topic, names and thanks his sources and invites to report additions and corrections. The Zenith manufacture was an important contributor, of course. However, you will find in this book references, which Zenith does not acknowledge, like my watch named ref. G3819 by Rössler. The development history chapter seems to be an excerpt from Rössler’s Zenith bible. The subsequent pages give us all technical details of the movement variants illustrated by a few movement shots. The overview tables name 57 different references using the cal. 3019 family and 159 references housing cal. 4X0 movements, with details including production years and volumes. Here I’m really missing cross references (links in new lingua) from each reference row to the page containing the corresponding description in the book’s main part. Though, the cal. 4X0 table names the individual model lines found in the table of contents. The main part lists all references, each with model name, execution of case, dial, crystal, and bracelet, movement type, water resistance, production years and volume. Each model is illustrated by a face shot. Only a few rare references are missing an image or exact data. There are not more than nine watches per page displayed, the photos are large enough to depict the characteristics of each reference. Unfortunately, the images were not adjusted to a common correct white balance, some photos show false colors. Although I did not search long enough for errors for my short review I can recommend the book for all collectors who are working in this area. It provides very valuable and up-to-date informations in a practical and convenient package. The book El Primero – Der Chronograph is self-published by Manfred Rössler and produced by Kastner & Callwey, Germany. You should find it in the known distribution channels specializing in horology, even worldwide. There is no print-on-demand edition. Yes, the texts and captions in this book are written in German language, but this does not diminish its usefulness (says a German native speaker). Pros: up-to-date informations by a knowledgeable author complete functional German language Cons: suboptimal typography cross references missing German language
It seems that I was too optimistic regarding the worldwide distribution. Unfortunately, the book does not have an ISBN. I will tell you how to order the book soon here in this thread. Mick
I am sure even some information is better than no information. Wether it will be more exacting will soon be seen!
Mick, thanks for introducing this to the community. Are the sub references / classifications of the A384 on page 33 a bit of your project? Best Regards Hannes
Hallo Hannes, Thank you for the reminder . I will report about my findings shortly. No, not directly. I helped to get the illustrating photos. There are at least three opinions regarding the A384: 1. Zenith: there is only one execution 2. my opinion: there are two executions to be distinguished also by the case backs: black and brown 3. Mr. Rössler: there are four executions: black, "dunkelbraun", "mittelbraun", and "hellbraun" (three shades of brown color) We will never be able to verify or falsify 2 vs. 3, but IMHO this is not really important. The different shapes of case backs with corresponding ranges of case numbers contradicts 1. More in the near future … Cheers, Mick
Mr. Rösler's Zenith El Primero catalogue will be available from June 1st on through a new distribution channel: Rössler: El Primero - Der Chronograph - Shop für Uhrenliteratur The distributor's web site can be read in German language only, but you will find there many great, mostly historic, horological books, for instance Dr. Konrad Knirim's bi-lingual books on military watches – enough opportunities to save shipping costs (€ 15 maximum worldwide). Enjoy working with this great catalogue!
Thanx Mick Tock for the update The order process functions without problems.... looking forward to receiving this publication. Best, Thomas
Manfred Rössler's catalogue now got an ISBN: 978-3-941539-96-9 . So you may find the book even at the large grocery web store I will not recommend here Cheers, Mick
Just got this, and an odd book it is. Now, I can't read German and mayby Herr Roessler has included a sparkling defence of his classification scheme, but there are all sorts of frankens that he has assigned reference numbers to. For example, imaging a G 382 with a dial from a G 381. He calls this a G 382 S, as if it were a legitimate factory model. The various tropical dials also get their own reference numbers - there is a G 381 S (for "schwarz") and a G 381 DB (presumably "dunkelbraun" - dark brown). On the flip side, he omits all of the dial variations - real factory dial variations - of the G 583. Fairly full treatment of the MOvado Primeros - did you know there is a Movado version of the black dialed Fernseher - the "mourning Primero"? Interesting couple of pages on the Primero in other brands - all your favorite oddballs are here - Waldan, Ekegren, Dunhill...Rolex.... Detailed model breakdown of the post-resurrection models. I'd call it a fairly raw product - not uninteresting, but of interest only to specialists. You deep Primero collectors will need it of course, but not essential for the Zenith dabbler.
As good as the other Zenith book I recently picked up is, I wish someone would do an "El Primero Only" in the style of MWO just focused on that and all the dial / case variations in detail.