Zenith

Zenith El Primero 410 Tribute to Charles Vermot in a limited edition of 1975 pieces.

With the arrival of quartz watches in the 1970’s Swiss manufacturers of mechanical watches took a hard blow. The entire industry was in turmoil, companies went out of business, machines and movements were sold purely for scrap.

A this time, Zenith Swiss operation was owned by Zenith Radio U.S.A.  In 1975 production of all mechanical watches was ordered to stop and movement parts and machines to be sold by weight.  Pleas to the American company were ignored and the El Primero was destined to be forgotten.

Watchmaker Charles Vermot made the decision to ignore the owners of Zenith and tucked away parts, machines and drawings for safe keeping.  In the mid 1980’s when mechanical watches again started gaining popularity, Mr. Vermont returned the items to Zenith.  Shortly thereafter the production of the El Primero resumed and to this day remains an iconic movement.