Swiss Army Knife. That’s what comes to mind when face-to-dial with the Zenith El Primero Class Traveler Multicity Alarm.

True, it’s bold, it’s nearly a half-pound of 18-k rose gold, and it’s an El Primero. But while that roster of virtues would place a luxury chronograph among the elite of high horology, it’s only the beginning of the story with the Multicity Alarm.
When dealing with a watch that’s loaded like an S-Class, it’s best to start from the outside and work inward.
Zenith‘s designers enclosed the Multicity‘s dial within its signature complication; the 24-city world time reference ring. Each of the globe’s 24 primary time zones is represented by the name of a significant reference city; the 24-hour ring inboard of the cities rotates counterclockwise and maintains a simultaneous display of the hour in each of the world’s 24 time zones.
Because Zenith Multicity emerged from the larger-than-life Thierry Nataf era of Zenith design, this world time ring dodges the usual pitfall of world time watches; most of them look like clones of the original 1931 system designed by Louis Cottier for Patek Philippe. Not the Zenith Multicity. Its periphery combines the dynamism of a swirling vortex with the legibility lacking in many watches of this type.
The Multicity Alarm‘s two-tone reference ring employs shading, graceful forms, and clear demarcations between cities to enable quick reads at a glance.
Moving inward across the hand-cut guilloche dial, the eye encounters the signature feature of post-Y2K Zenith design, the open escapement. Originally launched in 2003, the “open” dial cuts to the heart of a luxury watch’s modern appeal; the movement. With the open escapement, Zenith accomplished on the dial what others attempted with sapphire casebacks.

Zenith‘s open escapement was a revolution when it bowed in the early 2000s, and the idea has been copied with abandon by a world of emulators from Audemars Piguet to Jaeger-LeCoultre to SevenFriday.

The design brings the life force of the watch to the fore without leaving the wrist. Think of it as 90 percent of the intrinsic appeal of a tourbillon at a fraction of the price.
Bold designs like the Zenith El Primero Multicity have been known to alarm traditionalists, but Zenith turned the tables and “alarmed” its bold design. The unique alarm system developed for the El Primero caliber 4046 incorporates an on/off indicator for discretion, a power reserve to declare its readiness, and a ring so bright and lyrical that it verges on melody.

Zenith‘s alarm keeps no secrets; in addition to the mellifluous voice, the alarm function packs an on/off indicator to prevent unanticipated Sunday reveilles and a power reserve to indicate whether the alarm is ready to ring when needed. True to company heritage the Zenith El Primero Multicity offers a unique take on the classic power reserve gauge.
While others rely on a slow-moving needle or offer no reserve de march for alarm functions, Zenith‘s circular graphic spins while the alarm is active and changes color as the reserve dissipates.

The entire assembly rotates on a dedicated ruby pivot jewel that protrudes through the dial: impressive is the word.

A classical haute horlogerie grand date occupies pride of place at the top of the dial. Its double-digit register features a complex three-wheel sequencing mechanism that surpasses any practical requirement for displaying the date, and that’s precisely the point; luxury is a matter of receiving more than expected and more than necessary.
As the eye approaches the center of the dial, Zenith‘s attention to craft excellence is obvious. Kiln-fired blue screws, eggshell-colored hand-cut “clous-de-Paris” guilloche, and applied gold details of all descriptions enrich the spectacle. This watch is a rich feast for the eyes. Its craft excellence is unabashedly baroque, but its majesty is undeniable.

Zenith raises its game with the 18-karat Multicity and channels the mode of grandeur generally attributed to pre-war ocean liners, Wurlitzer pipe organs, and École des Beaux–Arts architecture.

Now rotate the watch and behold the main event: Zenith’s El Primero caliber 4046.
Inside the sinuous 46 mm rose gold case, the legend of the El Primero lives – and grows – with every stripe of the côtes de Genève bridge finish and the interlocking metallic “pearls” of the base plate.

Linear and circular dressage (directional metallic grain) establishes the degree of hand labor lavished on Zenith El Primero movements of this level. In its day, the Zenith El Primero Class Traveler Multicity Alarm represented one of the flagship models of the manufacture, and each was finished accordingly.

With a 36,000 VpH heartbeat, the classic double-time cadence of the Zenith El Primero makes its voice heard. From the dial, the supernaturally smooth sweep of the chronograph seconds hand is a hint at the legend within. Now hold it against the ear; it speaks in a different voice than a conventional 28,800 VpH Rolex or Omega.

Since its 1969 debut and miraculous 1975 escape from the scraper’s torch (a sentimental watchmaker hid the caliber’s tooling), the El Primeo has proved to be a survivor, dead reliable, accurate, and charismatic beyond words. Perhaps uniquely in the world of horology, the El Primero is a movement – not a watch – that inspires outright love from a global legion of devotees.

The Zenith El Primero Class Traveler Multicity Alarm wants for nothing. Every craft detail, watchmaking complication, and factory accessory one could desire is included with this outstanding world time alarm chronograph. All it needs is a wrist; will it be yours?

Watch condition (refer to photos)

All images are from the actual watch for sale (WE NEVER USE INTERNET BASED PICTURES). To avoid any misunderstanding regarding scratches etc., please view carefully all images of the watch you’re interested in. The condition can be seen and judged on the picture.

Case: excellent condition

Clock face: excellent condition

Glass: excellent condition

Back face: excellent condition

Bracelet: excellent condition. Additional new strap included.

Movement: fully operational / checked for performance, authenticity and functionality.

Evaluation

The recent comparable model Zenith El Primero Class Traveler Multicity Alarm in gold with automatic movement has a retail price of 38,000.- Euro.

Please consider the unique design of this model, that’s loaded like an S-Class, combines modern elements of the horologers with the spirit and appearance of the original model launched by Zenith mid-century.

Payment
We accept payments by wire transfer to our company’s bank account, by PayPal or by credit card (VISA, MASTERCARD, etc.). Please note that goods will only be sent after agreed payment is visible into our account.

Shipping
We are shipping our watches also internationally using insured shipping and only the most reliable shipping service by DHL. The shipping cost is supported by the customer and will be added on the invoice.

Selling process

Immediate after your purchase, you will receive all payment information by e-mail. Your order will be dispatched with DHL within the next working day or within 36 hours after your payment has been received respectively. Incoming payments are checked several times daily via online banking and are forwarded to be shipped immediately.

Item and accessories will be delivered as pictured. Manuals, papers, certificate cards, booklets and boxes are only included in the delivery if mentioned in the description and/or shown in the pictures. The pictures show the actual watch you are buying. All pictures were taken by MD Watches.