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EL PRIMERO
> ZENITH
THE PIONEER SPIRIT SINCE 1865
> 1. THE EL PRIMERO MOVEMENT
> 2. WINDING YOUR WATCH
> 3. SETTING THE TIME AND DATE
> 4. CHRONOGRAPH FUNCTIONS
> 5. 24 TIME ZONES & ALARM FUNCTIONS
> 6. SETTING THE DAY PHASE AND MOON PHASE
> 7. SETTING THE ANNUAL CALENDAR
> 8. SETTING THE PERPETUAL CALENDAR
> 9. MINUTE REPEATER FUNCTION
> 10. INTERNATIONAL ZENITH WARRANTY
You have invested in a Zenith timepiece: you are now wearing
a Manufacture watch that has been crafted in our workshops.
Zenith is a member of a very select circle of authentic Swiss
workshops which develop and produce their own movements
from start to finish. We have been crafting our watches
from the same location since 1865. Nestled in the heart of
the mountainous valleys of Neuchâtel, our Manufacture
is situated at number 34, Rue des Billodes in the town of
Le Locle.
Zenith has received over 2,333 chronometry awards, making
it one of the most widely-acknowledged Swiss brands in
terms of precision. In order to explore our passion for fine
craftsmanship in more detail, please visit our website at
www.zenith-watches.com. We also invite you to sign up
as a Zenith watch owner; this will provide you with a one-
year extension on your warranty. Your chronograph contains
a mechanical movement born from over 300  years of
watchmaking tradition. We ask that you look after it attentively
and handle it with care throughout the setting process.
Over the following pages, you will find advice about using
your watch and its functions. The functions available depend
on the model.
3<
1 > THE EL PRIMERO MOVEMENT IMPRESSIVE FIGURES

Making an El Primero
LOOK AT IT CAREFULLY! movement involves:
Before you is the most famous movement in watchmaking > 9 months of work
> 2 96 expert craftsman
history, one which every watch enthusiast around the world
> 2 ,500 operations
is capable of naming. > 5 0 milling operations
on the dial side
It is currently the world’s most accurate series-produced
> 7 7 other milling operations
movement. Its secret lies in the cadence of its balance. Whilst on the bridge side
other movements generally perform 8 vibrations per second > 18 different metals in
at best, the El Primero calibre beats 10 times in that same the classic version
second. Its development has been accompanied by a number
Characteristics
of breakthrough innovations, including dry lubrication that
> 13- ligne calibre. 30 mm diameter
ensures excellent long-term stability, and the power reserve > 3 6,000 vibrations/hour
that had to be optimised to match the higher and more energy- > M inimum 6.5 mm thickness.
consuming frequency. All Zenith watches are equipped with a > M inimum of 280 components
proprietary Zenith movement. and 31 jewels
> I ndex assembly with
Few brands in the world can lay claim to such a rigorous fine adjustment
approach. When you opt for a Zenith timepiece, you enjoy the > P ower reserve of over 50 hours
> C entral rotor with ball bearings
absolute certainty of owning a watch produced from start
> A utomatic winding in
to finish in the Manufacture of Le Locle. This fundamental both directions
requirement entails a need for calibres that has resulted in > Fast date adjustment
the creation of more than 600 different movements. > C hronograph function
(except Synopsis models)
> C olumn-wheel chronograph
control centre

5<
Winding or by the action of the oscillating weight. The oscillat-
ing weight winds the movement when the watch is
your watch worn on the wrist.
2 > WINDING YOUR WATCH
When your watch has stopped
Your watch is equipped with a mechanical movement. The Power-reserve-indicator
movement is wound either by the crown or via Hold the watch
the action of in your
Thehand and turn
graduated scale the crown
running from at
“-” to “+” displays the
the oscillating weight when worn on the wrist.least thirty times. In this way, the barrel containing the
remaining power reserve.
mainspring is rewound.Accuracy
To ensure that the automatic
Under normalwinding mechanism
conditions of use, the precision discrepancy
for our automatic watches is a maximum of 4 to 5 minutes
functions correctly, the watch must be worn for at least
per month in comparison to the standards on the market.
12 hours every day for several days. If the watch is not
Personalised time-setting can however be carried out on
worn for long enough, it will stop.
request by an authorized Zenith representative.
If you do not wear your watch during the night, you can
give the crown a few turns in the morning before put-
ting it on.

When your watch has stopped Power-reserve-indicator function

Note: For models equipped with a screwed-in crown,
unscrew it to wind your watch.
The graduated quadrant with a scale from “-” to “+”
displays the remaining power reserve.
Hold the watch in your hand and turn the crown at least thirty
times. In this way, the barrel containing the mainspring is
rewound. To ensure that the automatic winding Accuracy
mechanism
functions correctly, the watch must be worn Under
for at normal
least conditions of use, the precision dis-
crepancy
12 hours every day for several days. If the watch for an automatic watch is a maximum of 4
is not worn
for long enough, it will stop. If you do not wear your watch
to 5 minutes per month in comparison to a standard
during the night, you can give the crown a few turns in the
morning before putting it on.
watch. Personalized time setting can however be car-
ried out on request by an authorized ZENITH repre- 7<
sentative.
 time of day. It can therefore be set in the same way as
Pull the crown out one click (1). Turn the hands clock-
day phase calendar
the annual and the time after pulling the crown out one click (1).
wise to set the day of the week. Then, place the hands
moon phase in the lower part of the dial (for example at 7.25) the
Day of the week
day before the one you desire (Example: Wednesday if
Moon phase
3 > SETTING THE TIME you want Thursday). Press the crown back in.
AND DATE Use the ZENITH Time Tool to press the corrector Y
To adjust the moon phase without risking damage to
the movement, it is essential to position the hands in
the required day appears. Do not use a pen or any o
2. Date and Month
the lower part of the dial between 3 and 9 o’clock.
Simple date, Month or Large date
Pull the crown out two clicks (2) and scroll pointed object.
through
Position the full moon at the center of its aperture by
Important:
the dates until the required month appears (Exam- Before any change of date, position the hands
pressing the corrector X on the side of the case several
between 
ple: May) then set the date one day before the one you
(X) 2 o’clock and 6 o’clock, always moving them in a
times using the Zenith Time Tool. Using a moon cal-
desire (Example: the 25th if you want the 26th). The final
clockwise
(1) (2) Hint:
endar, identify the date of the last full moon and count
adjustment is made through the hands by setting
To ensureexcept
direction, you for
setannual
the calendar
correct models,
time -onbefore (a
whichthe
the hands must be positioned between 4 and 6 o’clock.
time clockwise. or after
Once you pass through midnight,
the number of days between then and the present day.
(Y) the (p.m.) midday - with regards to date change
Pull out the crown two clicks (2) and turn it until the required
day and date will change. Finally, you will be able to set
Press the corrector the same number of times. advise that you set the date to the day before the de
date appears. For models displaying the month, scroll
correctly the time before (a.m.) or after (p.m.) midday.
ZENITH TIME TOOL
Zenith Time Tool Example
date
throughand thenasmove
the dates themonth
far as the hours forwards
required and thenuntil
set the co
The watch is now set according to our example: Thurs- the date. The month changes at midnight on the 31st. Push
Time It is September 28, 2010. The last full
day, the 26th of May.
date and
moon time,
was on a.m. or p.m., are obtained.
the crown back in.
September 23rd. The corrector must be pressed 5 times.
Important for models with date: to avoid any risk of
damaging the movement, the time shouldThe moon phase is now set.
always be adjusted 7Day of the week
in a clockwise direction. Use the Zenith Time Tool to press the corrector (Y) until the
required day appears. Do not use a pen or any other pointed
Pull out the crown one click (1). If your watch displays the object.
date, ensure that you are setting the time during the correct
part of the day, i.e. before or after midday. Turn the crown Hint: To ensure you set the correct time - before (a.m.) or
clockwise to place the hands on the desired hour. On the after (p.m.) midday - with regards to date change, we advise
stroke of the time signal, press the crown back in. that you set the date to the day before the desired date and
then move the hours forwards until you reach the correct
12 date and time, a.m. or p.m.

10

9<
4 > CHRONOGRAPH FUNCTIONS
(A)
(C)
(B)
Chronograph & Striking 10 th chronograph
TO MEASURE DURATIONS OF TIME
Note: For models equipped with screwed-in chronograph
pushpieces, unscrew them to use the chronograph functions.
Start/Stop: Pressing button (A) once starts timing, and pressing
it again stops it. To resume timing: Pressing button (A) again
resumes timing. Resetting to zero: once the chronograph
has been stopped, press button (B) to bring the chronograph
hand and counters back to zero.
Fly-back chronograph
RESET AND INSTANT START
Pressing button (B) firmly while timing is in progress brings
all the counters back to zero and a fresh timing operation
will start the moment you release button (B). In this way, a
single action stops the current timing operation and starts
the next one.
Split-second chronograph
MEASURING INTERMEDIATE TIMES
Start/Stop: to start both chronograph hands, press button (A).
Stop/Restart of the fly-back hand: press the single push-
button (C) once to stop the fly-back hand, and press it again
to make the fly-back hand catch up with the first chronograph
hand. Resetting to zero: once the chronograph has been
stopped, press button (B) to bring both chronograph hands
and the counters back to zero.
11 <
5 24 time zones
4.10 p.m. in Paris and 0.10 a.m. in Tokyo
4.10 p.m.
Choose the city that represents the
Alarmtime zone where

EN
24 time zones you are. Turn the crown positioned at 11 o’clock to
Turn the crown to 8 o’clock to wind the alarm until the
move the city on the scale to midday. Then set the
5 > alarm
and 24 TIMEfunctions
ZONES time.
white part of the alarm power reserve reaches the “+”
Alarm
sign or the “Full” indication appears in the green zone.
AND ALARM FUNCTIONSCheck the day/night (sun/star) display on the 24-hour
The alarm is now wound.
disc. Pull out the crown one click (1) and set the blue hand of
For example, when it is 10.10 a.m. in New York, it is
Turn the c
Alarm
the alarm to show the required wake-up time by turning
4.10 p.m. in Paris and 0.10 a.m. in Tokyo white par
Turn the crown to 8 o’clock to wind the alarm until the white
the crown in either direction. Push the crown back in.
or red part of the alarm power reserve reaches the “+” sign
Press Button D once to activate or deactivate the alarm
Alarm function. The active state is shown by a little bell. sign or th
or the “Full” indication appears in the green zone. The alarm
Turn the crown to 8 o’clock to wind the alarm until the
is now wound. Pull out the crown one click (1) and set the blue
white part of the alarm power reserve reaches the “+”
The alarm
or red hand of the alarm to show the required wake-up time
(D)sign or the “Full” indication appears in the green zone.
by turning the crown in either direction. Push the crown back
The alarm is now wound.
Pull out th
in. Press button (D) once to activate or deactivate the alarm
Pull out the crown one click (1) and set the blue hand of
function. The active state is shown by a little bell.
the alarm to show the required wake-up time by turning
24 time zones the crown in either direction. Push the crown back in. the alarm
Choose the city that represents the time zone where you are.
Press Button D once to activate or deactivate the alarm
Turn the crown positioned at 11 o’clock to move the city on
function. The active state is shown by a little bell.
Active Inactive
the crown
the scale to midday. Then set the time. Check the day/night
(sun/star) display on the 24-hour disc. For example, when it Press But
is 10.10 a.m. in New York, it is 4.10 p.m. in Paris and 0.10 a.m.
in Tokyo. 9
function.

9
13 <
 6 The day phase, shown by the picture of the sun for day
Setting the time and the night sky for night time, is linked to the
time of day. It can therefore be set in the same way as
day phase and
76 > SETTING THE DAY PHASE
the time after pulling the crown out one click (1).
Example : it’s Thursday, the 26th of May.
AND MOON PHASE moon phase
Setting 1. Day of the Week Moon phase
To adjust the moon phase without risking damage to
Pull the crown out one click (1). Turn the hands clock-
the annual calendar
Day phase
wise to set the day of the week. Then, place the hands
the movement, it is essential to position the hands in Dates of the full moon between
The day phase, shown by the picture of the sun for day time
in the lower part of the dial (for example at 7.25) the
and the night sky for night time, is linked to the time of day. It
the lower part of the dial between 3 and 9 o’clock. J F M A M J
day before the one you desire (Example: Wednesday if (X)
can therefore be set in the same you want Thursday). Press the crown back in.
way as the time after pulling
Position the full moon at the center of its aperture by
(X) 2010 30 28 30 28 27 26
the crown out one click (1).
pressing the corrector X on the side of the case several
2011 (Y)19 18 19 18 17 15
2. Date and Month times using the Zenith Time Tool. Using a moon cal-
2012 1 7 8 6 6 4
endar, identify the date of the last full moon and count
Pull the crown out two clicks (2) and scroll through
the dates until the required month the number of days between then and the present day.
appears (Exam- 2013 27 25 27 25 25 23
Press the corrector the same number of times.
ple: May) then set the date one day before the one you 2014 16 14 16 15 14 13
desire (Example: the 25th if you want the 26th). The final
ZENITH TIME TOOL 2015 5 3 5 4 4 2
(1) (2)
Zenith Time Tool
adjustment is made through the hands by setting the
Example 2016 24 22 23 22 21 20
time clockwise. Once you pass through Datesthe
midnight, of the full moon between 2016 and 2020
Moon phase It is September 28, 2010. The last full moon was on
2017 5 11 12 11 10 9
day and date will change. Finally, you will be able to set
To adjust the moon phase without any risk of damaging the September 23rd. The corrector must be pressed 5 times.
J F M A M J J A S O
2018 2/31
N D
2/31 30 29 28
correctly the time before (a.m.) or after (p.m.) midday.
movement, it is essential to position the hands in the lower The moon phase is now set.
2016 24 22 23 22 21 20 19 18 16 16 14 14
2019 21 19 21 19 18 17
2017 12 11 12 11 10 9 9 7 6 5 4 3
part of the dial between 3 and 9 o’clock. Position the full moon
The watch is now set according to our example: Thurs-
2018 2/31 2/31 30 29 28 27 2020 2510 24 9 23 9 22 8 7 5
26
day, the 26th of May.
at the centre of its aperture by pressing the corrector (X) on
2019 21 19 21 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 12
the side of the case several times using the Zenith Time Tool.
2020 10 9 9 8 7 5 5 3 2 1/31 30 30
Using a moon calendar, identify the date of the last full moon
and count the number of days between then and the present
day. Press the corrector the same number of times.

Example
It is October 15th 2015. The last full moon was on October 5th.
The corrector must thus be pressed 10 times. The moon
phase is set.
10 15 <
12
 Setting 1. Day of the Week
Pull the crown out one click (1). Turn the hands clock-
the annual calendar wise to set the day of the week. Then, place the hands
in the lower part of the dial (for example at 7.25) the
77 > SETTING THE ANNUAL CALENDAR
Example : it’s Thursday,day before the one you desire (Example: Wednesday if
the 26th of May.
you want Thursday). Press the crown back in.

Setting
Example: it’s Thursday May 26th. 1. Day of the Week 2. Date and Month
2. Date and Month
Pull the crown out one click (1). Turn the hands clock-
Pullout
thetwo
crown out(2)
two clicks (2) and scroll through the dates
the
1. Dayannual
of the week calendar
Pull the crown
until the
clicks
required
wise to set the day of the week. Then, place the hands
and
month
scroll
appears
through
the dates until the required month appears (Exam- (Example: May) then set the
Pull the crown out one click (1). Turn the hands clockwise to ple: May) then set the date one day before the one you
date one day before the one you desire (Example: the 25th
in the lower part of the dial (for example at 7.25) the
set the day of the week. Then, place the hands in the lower if you want the 26th). The final adjustment is made via the
desire (Example: the 25th if you want the 26th). The final
day before the one you desire (Example: Wednesday if
day before the one you adjustment is made by
part of the dial (for example at 7.25) the you want Thursday). Press the crown back in.
hands through
settingthe
thehands
timeby setting the Once you pass through
clockwise.
desire (Example: Wednesday if you want Thursday). Press the time clockwise. Once you
midnight, thepass
daythrough
and datemidnight, the Finally, you will be
will change.
day and date will change. Finally, you will be able to set
crown back in. able to set correctly the time before (a.m.) or after (p.m.)
2. Date and Month correctly the time before (a.m.) or after (p.m.) midday.
midday.
Pull the crown out two clicks (2) and scroll through
The watch is now set according to our example: Thurs-
the dates until the required month appears
The watch (Exam-
is now set according to our example: Thursday
day, the 26th of May.
May 26th.
ple: May) then set the date one day before the one you
desire (Example: the 25th if you want the 26th). The final
(1) (2)
adjustment is made through the hands by setting the
time clockwise. Once you pass through midnight, the
day and date will change. Finally, you will be able to set
correctly the time before (a.m.) or after (p.m.) midday.

The watch is now set according to our example: Thurs-

day, the 26th of May.
12

17 <
 8 WARNING
Adjustments should never be made between 9 a.m.
8 > ADJUSTING THE
Adjusting
PERPETUAL CALENDAR
and 3 p.m. or between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. (shaded area)
because you might seriously and irreparably damage
the perpetual certain parts of the EL PRIMERO movement. Please
Important: first of all, turn the hands clockwise until the date Setting the day
calendar
changes
set the perpetual calendar in the following order :
and then adjust the day and the week afterwards. In the same way, press the day corrector button (B) until the
Please set the perpetual calendar in the following order: desired day appears.
Setting the date
Setting the month
(C)
Using the ZENITH TIME TOOL, correct the date
Press the month corrector button (C)Day
the desired month
until
(A)
6
(3 o’clock counter) by appears,
pressing on the
bearing corrector
in mind leap yearsbut-
shown
phase
on the 4th quarter
The day phase, shown by the pictu
ton A several times until the desired date appears. You
of the
Setting month counter (12 o’clock counter). A leap year is
the since it is shown intime of day. It can therefore be set
time and the night sky for night t
easily identifiable
will notice that the corrector button also automatically a different colour.
day
activates the days hand (9
phase
o’clock
Setting
and
counter).
the moon phase the time after pulling the crown ou
moon
Press the phase
moon-phase corrector button (D) until a full moon
Moon phase
setting is reached (in the middle of the display window).
(B) Setting the day To adjust the moon phase withou
Using the full moon calendar hereafter, select the last full
(D) In the same way, press the day corrector button B until
moon and count the number of days the movement, it is essential to p
until the present day,
before pressing the same number ofthe lower part of the dial between
the desired day appears. times on the corrector
Setting the date button (D). Position the full moon at the cent
Using the Zenith Time Tool, correct the date (3 o’clock counter) pressing the corrector X on the sid
Setting the month times using the Zenith Time Tool
by pressing on the corrector button (A) several times until the
Press the month corrector button C until the desired
desired date appears. You will notice that the corrector button endar, identify the date of the last
The Zenith Time Tool will enable
month appears, bearing in mind leap years shown on
also automatically activates the days hand (9 o’clock counter). the number of days between then
you to press all setting buttons
the 4th quarter of the month counter (12 o’clock(A), Press the corrector the same num
coun-
(B), (C), (D) and make the
necessary corrections.
ter). A leap year is easily identifiable since it is shown
Zenith Time Tool Example
in a different color. It is September 28, 2010. The las
September 23rd. The corrector mus
19 <
The moon phase is now set.
 Tr
9 > MINUTE REPEATER FUNCTION
Th
is
Setting the time
Do not attempt to set time when the striking mechanism is in ca
operation as this might damage the movement.

Pull the crown out one click. Turn the crown in either direction
to set the hands at the time required. Press the crown back in. To
Minute Repeater mechanism
The Minute Repeater strikes to indicate the number of hours,
an
the number of quarter hours since the last hour and the (C)
number of minutes since the last quarter.

This requires three different sound sequences to distinguish

A
Trigger the Minute Repeater
between hours, quarter hours, and minutes. It first sounds
the hours in a low tone, then the quarter-hour in a two-tone
The spring which activates the repeating mechanism is on
wound by means of the slide piece (C) fitted on the side of the
sequence, and the remaining minutes in a high tone.
watch case.
Example 1: 10.10 a.m.
1 - 10 times in a low tone for the hours
To activate the striking mechanism, lift the slide (C) up and W
maintain the position for 2 seconds before release.
2 - No quarter sound
3 - 10 times in a high tone for the minutes A locking device releases the repeating mechanism only
Do
Example 2: 3.37 p.m.
when the slide has reached the end of its travel.
cro
1 - 3 times in a low tone for the hours WARNING
2 - 2 quarter sounds Do not for any reason activate the slide piece when the crown has Do
3 - 7 times in a high tone for the remaining minutes been pulled out (time-setting position). Always wait 30 seconds in
between each complete chime to avoid damaging the movement.
ch
21 <
10 > INTERNATIONAL ZENITH WARRANTY

Zenith watches are high-precision, high-technology

Manufacture products. Before leaving the workshops, your
watch has undergone a number of rigorous quality tests.
An international warranty does, nonetheless, cover your
watch for any manufacturing defects over a period of two
years, taking effect from the date of purchase. Sign up on the
www.zenith-watches.com website in order to obtain an extra
year’s warranty. This warranty is valid in all official Zenith
service centers throughout the world, according to the
following conditions:

> T he watch has been purchased from an exclusive Zenith

authorized retailer; the name and address of the retailer,
together with the date of purchase and reference for the
watch are clearly marked on the warranty certificate
> Your watch has been worn under the normal conditions of
use and maintenance recommended by Zenith and has not
been mishandled
> T he warranty certificate, the only valid proof of purchase,
accompanies the watch when sent to an authorized Zenith
service center

Please note that the Zenith international warranty does not

cover the normal aging of your watch, the natural wear and tear
of leather, fabric or rubber straps, or any scratches on the case
and sapphire crystals incurred when the watch was worn.

23 <
NOTES :
Publisher:

Zenith Communication and Marketing Department

© Zenith Branch of LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
Printed in Switzerland

Zenith reserves the right to modify at any time and without prior notice
the specifications relating to the products shown in this publication.

ZTT1126, December 2015