Zenith El Primero, Ref. 19.0120.400, Cal. 400, Men’s Chronograph Watch

Vintage Zenith El Primero Chronograph Vintage Watch from 1989. Men’s automatic Zenith 400 movement in stainless steel with gold-plated accents, black dial with white registers (reverse-panda) and crisp baton furniture—iconic Swiss-made timepiece for refined, precision timekeeping.

1989 Zenith Chronograph with Reverse-Panda Black Dial & Two-Tone Case

This historic wristwatch presents balanced 37 mm proportions (42 mm lug-to-lug) in stainless steel with tasteful gold-plated elements that enrich the case geometry without excess. The deep black dial hosts high-contrast white chronograph registers, a clean minute track, and polished baton indexes for effortless legibility. Slim stick hands and a discrete central chronograph sweep emphasize functional clarity, while the 18 mm lug width offers versatile pairing with fine leather or period bracelets. The overall execution speaks to vintage Swiss watchmaking restraint—elegant, wearable, and unmistakably El Primero.

1989 Zenith El Primero with Caliber 400 Automatic Movement — Swiss-Made High-Beat Heritage

Powering the mechanical watch is Zenith’s automatic movement, Caliber 400—an El Primero column-wheel chronograph celebrated for its high-beat architecture and enduring reliability. The automatic movement delivers crisp pusher feel, stable rate keeping, and robust parts availability, making it a prized choice among enthusiasts who value collectible, serviceable engineering. Fully serviced and ready to wear, this watch will provide reliable performance for years to come.

1989 Zenith Chronograph — Condition, Originality & Collector Context

Used yet exceptionally well preserved, the case edges remain honest and the dial is strikingly clean with strong printing and symmetry. As late-1980s El Primero models helped reassert Zenith’s heritage in automatic chronographs, this two-tone configuration with reverse-panda layout stands out as a refined, investment-grade timepiece suited to regular rotation or a focused vintage chronograph collection.