EKEGREN | YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH DAY, DATE, MONTH AND MOON-PHASES, CIRCA 1990

Zenith launched the El Primero calibre in 1969, asserting it to be the first automatic chronograph movement to ever see light. Zenith's financial difficulties during the quartz crisis and following its acquisition by the American Zenith Radio Corporation in 1972 lead them to supply other brands with their innovative and reliable high-frequency calibre. 

The initial calibre 3019 was produced between 1969 and 1986 in two variations: the 3019PHC starred as the chronograph only version while the 3019PHF boasted an additional full calendar complication. 

The present timepiece is branded Ekegren on the dial, Movado on the rotor and Waldan International on the inner caseback. This interesting co-branding exemplifies the interesting situation back then, as the El Primero calibres were indeed distributed on the American market under the Waldan International and Ekegren brand names, while Movado was traditionally associated with Zenith in developing the El Primero. 

The timepiece's yellow gold case conceals the rarer, full calendar version of the original El Primero calibre, the elusive 3019PHF which is rumoured to have been produced in 2'720 examples. 

This rare watch relies on a legendary movement and is a testament to Zenith's tumultuous history, making it a rare opportunity to acquire a seldom seen and meaningful timepiece.