Zenith’s tribute to the Rolling Stones – El Primero Skeleton

Black ceramic, an open-worked dial, a fast-paced El Primero engine and design nods to the global rockers are the keynotes of these 250 fiery-spirited chronographs

Since 2014, Zenith has been accompanying the living legends of rock – The Rolling Stones – on the international scene. In honour of the famous British band, the haute horlogerie brand presents a legendary special series that embodies their signature rock’n’roll style.

The new Zenith chronograph is a wrist-worn legend dedicated to the Rolling Stones that leaves no doubt as to its kinship with the British stars who inspired its creation. An imposing 45 MM black ceramic case frames an open-worked dial setting the scene for a spectacular high-flying mechanical show. This three- dimensional display features a Stones symbol small seconds indication, in yet another reference to the fabled musicians.

The restless and ardent spirit of this famous rock band meets the creative daring of the brand with the guiding star. Embodying this union, the El Primero Skeleton Tribute to The Rolling Stones in ceramic – the first use of this material in the Zenith range – is a compendium of rock attitude features. This powerfully structured column-wheel chronograph in deep black with red accents boasts an athletic build with a competition-grade beating heart. Its skeleton-type construction vividly showcases the El Primero mechanism.

Housed in a case water-resistant to 100 metres, this open-worked display features hands evoking the neck of a Fender Telecaster 1950s electric guitar,­­ ­along with luminescent nickel-plated hour-markers. The red colour of the star-tipped centre seconds hand matches that of the date, with its cut-out numerals standing out boldly against a crimson dot at 6 o’clock. In a powerful visual echo, the famous “tongue and lips” logo inspired by the mouth of lead singer Mick Jagger appears on the seconds disc, spinning like a vinyl record on a turntable.

Its column-wheel ‘engine’ – beating at the impetuous pace of 36,000 vibrations/ hour and thus enabling tenth-of-a-second display – is a worthy descendant of the world’s most accurate series-made chronograph developed by Zenith in 1969. Displaying an impressive combination of performance and precision, the 326-part El Primero Calibre 400B is wound by an oscillating weight bearing the famous red Rolling Stones logo and adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif.

It powers a central display of the hours and minutes, small seconds, along with chronograph, tachymeter and date functions, while delivering an over 50-hour power reserve. This natural-born rebel features a fitting final touch in the shape of a black calfskin strap with hot-stamped rock-style motifs and red stitching, secured by a triple folding clasp in black PVD-coated titanium. Each of the timepieces in this 250-piece limited edition comes in a dedicated presentation box.