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REPAIR & SERVICE
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster
Gray & Sons Jewelers, located in Miami Beach, Florida is an independent watch service center, repairing Zenith El Primero Chronomaster watches since 1980.
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Watch Repair
Zenith Repair Services
Gray and Sons Watch Service and Repair for the 14/01 Zenith with Moonphase, Chronograph, and Calendar
Established as one of the finest timepiece manufacturers since 1865, Zenith is famous for creating one of the most accurate timekeeping movements in the world. Winning over 2300 chronometry awards for the phenomenal artwork in watchmaking, Rue Des Billodes ranks at 34 in the world for their work
The El Primero collection from Zenith has impacted the watchmaking industry tremendously at being the most accurate series produced worldwide. The release of the El Primero collection put Zenith in the same watchmaking league as Rolex, Cartier, Omega, and many more.
In January of 1969 Zenith introduced their El Primero to be released in October later that year.
This story is about the Zenith El Primero chronomaster. This watch contains many different functions. The complications displayed on this stainless steel watch include stopwatch (chronograph), moonphase, day, date, month (calendar), and 3 subsidiary dials.
The subsidiary dial shown at 3 o’clock measures 30 minute increments, the 6 o’clock subdial shows moonphase and measures up to 12 hours, and the 9 o’clock subdial displays the independent seconds.
Seeing as the watchmaking industry was receiving a lot of attention from all different brands, Zenith wanted to create something that would make them stand out from the rest. From its rivals, Zenith was the only one able to continue the fabrication of this movement without having to redesign its functionality.
Instead, Zenith only increased the speed and accuracy at which the movement operated. Initially oscillating at the rate of 18,800 beats per hour, the movement was amplified to beat at 36,600 beats per hour.
Not only was the movement faster, Zenith was able to create a lubrication for the watch parts which allowed for a longer period of lubrication. This allowed for the power reserve of the timepiece to reach up to 50 hours and allow the chronograph to measure time as accurately as 1/10th of a second.
So successful was Zenith with vamping this movement that in the 80s, Rolex released the 16520 Daytona which was powered by the Zenith El Primero movement. This collection of Rolex Daytonas with the El Primero movement are now some of the most sought after and collectible timepieces in the market. High-end brands such as Panerai, Tag Heuer, and Bulgari have joined the club and used the El Primero movements in products of their own.
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Gray & Sons - Top Watch Repair Service Center For High Caliber Watches
The watch repair we will speak on came from a customer who noticed his watch stopped keeping accurate time and was due for a service. There were also some minor scratches around the case that needed to be buffed out. Every watch that comes into Gray and Sons Jewelers for repair will automatically receive a 12-month warranty once received by the customer post-repair.
First things first, we open the case back of the watch and look for any rusted or damaged parts that need sourcing. In this case, the movement was in good condition, it just needed some cleaning and lubrication. Once we’ve diagnosed the problem on the watch and know what extra watch parts are needed, our watchmaker takes apart the watch piece by piece and prepares it for cleaning.
The watch movement, crystal, and watch stem are separated from the head and bracelet. The case and bracelet are given to our head polisher while our watchmakers begin working on the movement. Piece by piece, our watchmaker begins dismantling the watch’s mechanism evaluating every piece.
Once the watch parts that need sourcing are identified, our watchmaker prepares the timepiece’s wheels, springs, pivots, mainspring, barrel and plates to be cleaned and sources the parts that are needed. We use six different cleaning solutions in an ultrasonic machine to make sure all dirt, dust, and dried oils are extracted from every crevice within the watch parts.
Once the watch parts are cleaned, the watchmaker starts to reassemble the movement while adding lubricants wherever designated and replacing all the gaskets for water resistance. This tedious process usually takes anywhere from two to five hours per watch! Of course, assuming the watchmaker isn’t interrupted and all parts continue functioning.
While Gray and Sons’ watchmaker worked on the movement, we had our polisher give this watch a light polish around the case to remove the minor scratches. He then put the case in our ultrasonic machine for a bath and finally to rinse and dry.
Once our watchmaker puts together the movement and re-cases the watch, it's time for the final steps of our repair process. Prior to returning the client their watch, we must execute a final quality control process to assure the watch is running as accurately as possible.
In this quality control, we measure the watch’s amplitude using special machines that listen to the heartbeat of the watch. We also test the watch’s water resistance with a machine that simulates a deep plunge using air pressure to check for leaks.
Additionally, we check that all complications are functioning fully; in this case the hour, minute, seconds, day, date, month, moonphase, and chronograph. If both amplitude and water tests pass, the watch gets put on our winding wheel for observation where it rotates and mimics the movement of the wrist for 6-8 hours. The watch must then rest and run for the next 20-30 hours.
With this machine, we can analyze the power reserve on the watch and make sure the automatic is providing power up to par from 24 - 36 hours. Our complete restoration process can take up to 8 weeks.
Get to Know More About Us, Gray and Sons Jewelers - Watch Specialists and Estate Jewelry Buying and Selling
For over 41 years, Gray and Sons have specialized in the luxury business of pre-owned watches and estate jewelry. Every item in inventoried items of estate in platinum, gold, and silver have been repaired or restored and polished to like-new condition.
Every day customers come into our independent watch repair center to sell us their watches and jewelry items so our inventory is ever-growing. Through our constantly updated website, customers can request a free monthly catalog that includes our updated inventory, as many things come in every month.
Our sales associates are fluent in English, Spanish, French, Polish, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian so language barriers are often not a problem. Aside from buying, selling, and repairing, we also do trade-ins or take things in on consignment. For all your luxury needs, come visit us!
Our showroom is located in the heart of Miami Beach diagonally across the street from the world-renowned Bal Harbour Shops. If ever in the area, we highly recommend you come into our store; we’d love to meet you!
#1 Specialist on Zenith Watch Repairs
Visit Gray and Sons Jewelers is a one-stop source for all your luxury watches and high-end jewelry needs throughout Florida, especially in Miami, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, and Fort Lauderdale. Gray and Sons have an excellent reputation with many customers in New York, Massachusetts, California, Texas, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Chicago. Access our website by clicking here for a free estimate.
OUR EXPERIENCE
OVER 150 YEARS OF COMBINED WATCHMAKING AND JEWELRY/CASE AND BRACELET REPAIR EXPERIENCE!
How to Repair Your Watch with Gray & Sons Jewelers
We offer our watch repair services locally in South Florida (Miami, Miami Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach), nationally as well as internationally with our Easy Ship Box Option.
Local Repairs
Come visit our showroom and let us evaluate your watch. Our Swiss-trained watchmakers are among the best in the United States and we just happen to be located on Miami Beach. We will provide you an estimate before beginning any work.
National Repairs
To accommodate customers across the United States who complete repairs with us, we devised the Easy Ship Box as the fastest and most convenient way to send sensitive luxury items. This allows you to receive our state of the art services anywhere in the country, so you never compromise on the care your watch rightfully deserves.
