Restoring the Iconic Zenith El Primero Cal 400: Watchmaker's Service

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 63

  • @borassictime918
    @borassictime918 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    It’s only when disassembled that you realise how complicated the calibre is. Great movement. Great job!

  • @lenmil8421
    @lenmil8421 24 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I've got this movement in an Ebel. Miami vice. Most accurate mechanical ive ever owned.

  • @scotts9898
    @scotts9898 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Love your videos, thanks for taking all the extra time it takes to make them for us to enjoy. Ive gotta say that this watch is beautiful, the dial is stunning and all the extra detail work that has been done to the bridges and all the other parts of this watch makes me wish i could afford one to show off all its beauty.

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I love the el primero caliber. This watch is very beautiful

  • @light1531
    @light1531 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    FWC I like to see the ‘timegrapher shot’ at the end of the video 😮 I know job done 😂

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I forgot to record it on this one ☺️

    • @light1531
      @light1531 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@FrenchWatchCollector I ❤️ your productions. Sometimes I skip to that bit to see that the watch is now alright! Interested to know things like why you changed the main spring? Also can one have a longer power reserve with a different main spring? Older watches only have a maybe 30 hour reserve….

    • @light1531
      @light1531 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@FrenchWatchCollector I ❤️ your productions. I sometimes skip to the end to make sure the watch is okay. Why did you change the main spring? Can one have a longer power reserve than standard or does it affect timing?

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@light1531 yes the power reserve and amplitude are improved with a new mainspring

  • @grahams8468
    @grahams8468 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Fantastic work yet again not sure how you make it look so easy ,much respect and thanks for sharing

  • @marcusthompson6775
    @marcusthompson6775 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for taking the time and effort to make these videos....I'm new to this hobby and learn so much from watching you work. And I think you have awesome taste in watches, too! All the best to you :)

  • @nomebear
    @nomebear หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The Zenith was in such outstanding condition it seemed like the watch service was unnecessary. But, cleaning and fresh lubrication goes a long way.
    I thought the Zenith Primero movement and Patek Phillipe movement are very similar, but they are not the same.

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes they are nice calibers. A service was needed because the chronograph was not working correctly

  • @gthedrum
    @gthedrum 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Lovely movement on an equally lovely piece. Nice look at the complications. 👍🏼

  • @antonioferreira2996
    @antonioferreira2996 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love chronographs, but this El primero... what a movement... amazing.

  • @popecosh307
    @popecosh307 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amazing watch just so well made. Must have been so satisfied when you finished it. That movement holder is the craziest chronograph holder I’ve ever seen lol.

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes it is a special holder for the El Primero. I love it

  • @vincenzo.caserta
    @vincenzo.caserta 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'm not sure if the Daytona you serviced was pre-2000, but I know it was a Daytona! If it was, it would be awesome if you could use your footage to create a side-by-side video comparing it with this El Primero, highlighting the key differences.
    That comparison would definitely be a TH-cam masterpiece-both iconic watches with such rich histories. Perfect content for watch enthusiasts!

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      No not was not the el primero caliber on this model. It was the one just after the el primero. I will do a comparison

  • @timishii170
    @timishii170 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Beautiful job! Sorry I’ve been gone for a while. I really enjoy your work.

  • @velviaman3206
    @velviaman3206 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wearing my El Primero cal. 420Z as I watch this. Enjoying this service, the last time mine needed a service it was serviced by an octogenarian. He is now retired of course.

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Enjoy your El Primero

    • @appleborbs5065
      @appleborbs5065 23 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      How long did your movement run before needing a service?

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@appleborbs5065 I am not sure because it was from a client but you should not wait for than 8 to 10 years before a service

    • @velviaman3206
      @velviaman3206 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@appleborbs5065 That was five years ago, still runs perfectly.

  • @slammermx
    @slammermx 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    That dial is nice.

  • @CharlesThompson-ou7wp
    @CharlesThompson-ou7wp 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for sharing your profession with us. I’m new to watchmaking and I subscribe to a lot of different channels as we should all know that in any method of doing something there is always more than one way of doing it. My statement is posted because I asked Jeffs5422 about the post made and why he made the statement about sending his watch back if he received it the way you performed the work. Did I miss something in this video? Sorry if I am overlooking an obvious mistake here! I have watched several of your videos where you have admitted to not doing something correctly or out of sequence and have corrected it for us to learn. Thomas Edison did not create the lightbulb in one try! Keep up the good work and I will keep watching! Thanks again!

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks Charles. There is nothing wrong with the time setting as you said. After you know some people on social media give some comments from stuff they don’t know or stuff they don’t even do. It is like. After some people as well can give very good advice or idea and this what I take on social media. Thank you for supporting the channel

  • @brucebarlow6604
    @brucebarlow6604 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yes Perfect. A lovely Watch. Keep well from New Zealand 🇳🇿

  • @ElderPinto254
    @ElderPinto254 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    nice movement holder

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ElderPinto254 yes it is used more the El Primero

  • @ForestWoodworks
    @ForestWoodworks 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Beautiful!

  • @num351
    @num351 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It is a Magic :)

  • @JimGlasgow-e5o
    @JimGlasgow-e5o 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My Fabre -Leuba is a 45yrs old chronograph and in daily use. I’m not Tom Cruise but hey the watch is great .

  • @jeffs5422
    @jeffs5422 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If you serviced one of my zeniths and it came back like that i’d send it back

    • @CharlesThompson-ou7wp
      @CharlesThompson-ou7wp 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Am I missing something with your post. I am learning here and would like to know why you made that statement? Thanks in advance for your reply!

    • @jeffs5422
      @jeffs5422 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The watch is changing the date at 11:55 not 12:00. That’s not acceptable to me. Its lazy on his part not to take the time to
      set it correctly

  • @mahmoudghoneim8004
    @mahmoudghoneim8004 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    How are you able to get Zenith spare parts , very disappointing.

  • @munthirkhan1217
    @munthirkhan1217 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The one thing I hate about El Primero movement is that they use a horizontal clutch instead of vertical one, otherwise beautiful watch

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You are right the the vertical clutch as a not of advantage. But from a look and actuation point of view I prefer the horizontal clutch

    • @andynogood
      @andynogood 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Hate is waste of time

  • @OscarRPalma
    @OscarRPalma 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I had a 4010, I regret sold it.

  • @SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands
    @SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    :)

  • @ygrbooks
    @ygrbooks 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thank you for sharing this beautifully produced video on a famous calibre on TH-cam: 👍👌👏! However, I bought one of these watches for my son several years ago and had to have it serviced after only 4 years (at great cost 😩). Seeing the parts in your video, I can only say that you should stay away from such a watch. This hurts as Zenith used to be a revered company. But seeing the "quality" (🤪!) of the parts they used in this movement makes one shudder, particularly in a high-beat movement. Rolex did the right thing in slowing the movement down as it is extremely prone to malfunction due to its flimsy parts. What a shame!

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You know I have some El Primero from the 70’s in my collection and they still run perfectly and without any issues if they are serviced correctly. After maybe you were unlucky with a bad build caliber. Again not sure of the great service on the companies like zenith and other big brands

    • @ygrbooks
      @ygrbooks 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@FrenchWatchCollector It is just that the watch you serviced looks cheap when it comes to production and materials used: lots of unrefined and stamped parts that look underwhelming, will bend and break down soon, particularly in a high-beat environment. Zenith has cut down on quality visibly and customers will pay the price - 🤪.

  • @jeffs5422
    @jeffs5422 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    you can do better than the date changing 5 minutes early, thats just lazy on your part

    • @FrenchWatchCollector
      @FrenchWatchCollector  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      For me 5 minutes around midnight is acceptable