Zenith El Primero Cheat Sheet, by LouS

The following cheat sheet / quick guide covers some of the early Zenith El Primero chronographs.  This posting is derived from a posting by LouS on the Chronocentric vintage Heuer discussion forum. Note that some gold models and the late so-called “TV” and “Pilot” models are not included.

Photo courtesy of Gigi, from OnTheDash discussion forum, March 6, 2015

Click on any image to see a high resolution version. Sincere thanks to LouS for sharing the information and images.

Have a look at the following postings, for a more systematic presentation of the early El Primeros chronographs —

• Background and Overview of the El Primero Chronograph
• Details of the Early El Primero Models
• Sequence of the Stainless Steel Models (1969-75) — includes the TV and Pilot models

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A= steel (acier), G = 18K gold

Ref A 384 (2,600 produced, 1969-1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 384

Ref A 385 (2,400, 1969-1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 385

Ref A 386 (2,500 produced, some say 3500, 1969-1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 386

Ref A 3817 (1,000 produced, 1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 3817

Ref A 3818 (1,000 produced, 1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 3818

Ref A 781 (1,000 produced, 1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 781

Ref A 782 (1,500 produced, 1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 782

Ref A 783 (1,500 produced, 1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 783

Ref A 787 (1,500 produced, 1971-1972)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 787

Ref A 788 (1,400 produced, 1971-1972)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 788

Ref A 7817, the ‘Espada’, housing the Day-Date-Month-Moonphase complication of the El Primero (300 produced, 1971)

Zenith El Primero, Ref A 7817

Ref G 381 (700 produced, 1969-1972)

Zenith El Primero, Ref G 381

Ref G 382 (250 produced, 1969-1970)

Zenith El Primero, Ref G 382

Ref G 582 (600 produced, 1969-1970)

Zenith El Primero, Ref G 582