Zenith El Primero chronograph, ref. 06.0200.400, 18K yellow gold wristwatch a Fine and Elegant 18K, 1990s — view 1 of 4 — View 1 of 4 · Image: Adam's Auctioneers / LiveAuctioneers · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 4 · Image: Adam's Auctioneers / LiveAuctioneers · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Zenith El Primero chronograph, ref. 06.0200.400, 18K yellow gold wristwatch a Fine and Elegant 18K, 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: Zenith (maker)
Date: 1990s
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: gold, yellow gold
Auction house: LiveAuctioneers auction archive
Lot: Item 230434932
Credit line: Auction lot record: lot 119, Fine Watches, Adam's Auctioneers (2026), via LiveAuctioneers
Catalogue title (original): ZENITH EL PRIMERO CHRONOGRAPH, REF. 06.0200.400, 18K YELLOW GOLD WRISTWATCH A fine and elegant 18K (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by LiveAuctioneers auction archive (lot Item 230434932), this is a wristwatch by Zenith, made in Switzerland, dated 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold, yellow gold. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Lot description — Adam's Auctioneers

ZENITH EL PRIMERO CHRONOGRAPH, REF. 06.0200.400, 18K YELLOW GOLD WRISTWATCH A fine and elegant 18K yellow gold automatic El Primero chronograph wristwatch by Zenith. Circa: 1990s Dial: Silvered dial with applied baton hour markers, outer tachymeter scale, three gilt recessed subdials, date aperture at 4:30, gilt sword hands, central chronograph seconds hand Movement: Automatic, Zenith calibre 400 Case: 18K yellow gold case, reference 06.0200.400, light surface wear consistent with use Diameter: 38 mm Bracelet/Strap: Later black leather strap with pin buckle Gross Weight: 75 g approx. Signature: Dial, case and movement signed

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: LiveAuctioneers auction archive (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Adam's Auctioneers / LiveAuctioneers — permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Zenith El Primero chronograph, ref. 06.0200.400, 18K yellow gold wristwatch a Fine and Elegant 18K, 1990s." LiveAuctioneers auction archive, Item 230434932. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/zenith-el-primero-chronograph-ref-06-0200-400-18k-yellow-gold-wristwat-ee2696.