2019 has been a monumental year for the El Primero, the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph. For its 50th anniversary, Zenith embarked on a yearlong celebration that took on different fronts. The star-led brand brought back iconic El Primero pieces through its Revival series, and set off on its “Grenier Club” world-tour where press, clients and friends of the brand joined the festivities in unexpected locations around the globe. Finally, over the course of several days and numerous high-profile events in the watchmaking capital of Geneva, the El Primero 50th Anniversary celebration came to a spectacular end.
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the El Primero, Zenith had set out on its Grenier Club world tour since the start of the year to celebrate the occasion. Each month, the Grenier Club event was held in a different city, where 50 local guests are invited to join the celebration in unique settings such as iconic landmarks and contemporary art museums and galleries, among others.
A proper celebration of the El Primero simply wouldn’t be complete without paying tribute to the man who has become synonymous with the venerable calibre: Charles Vermot.
