Here we have a 1970s icon born out of the Partnership of Movado, Zenith and Mondia, to bring the El Primero to the market. Here is an early 1970s Movado Zenith Automatic chronograph reference 01.0180434, which has the calibre 3019 PHC (El Primero) Chronograph movement. 
 
The Movado Zenith reference 01.0180.434 was a low volume watch, with less than 500 units produced. It is one of the rarest chronograph models produced by the firm in the 1970s. It was one of the original 16 El Primero models, featuring in the Zenith catalogue from the early 1970s. This reference was offered with two movement variations and three dial variations. The dials could be signed ‘Movado’, ‘Zenith’ or ‘Movado Zenith’.
 
The dial is an aged silver tone, with the spotted patination and darkening in areas. It has the detailed 1/5th second dashes around the exterior, with the applied silver tone baton hour markers, which have the luminous strip inset to the centre. The sub-dials are inset into the dial with the dished edge and grained concentric circles to the centre.at 9 o’clock are the constant seconds, with single graduations and Arabic 10 second markers. At 6 o’clock is the 12 hour counter which has the arabic numerals for each hour. The 30 minute counter sits at 3 o’clock with the single minute dashes and 5 minute arabic graduations. 
The dial has the applied steel Zenith logo below 12, with the ‘Movado Zenith’ and ‘Automatic’ signing below. The date window is tapered and sits on the dial between 4 and 5 o’clock. It has the white window with black signing. 
The hands are of bevelled stick style with the aged luminous in-fill. The central second hand is neat and thin, with the aged white painted finish. The sub-second hands are all original with the silver base and black painted finish to increase legibility.
 
It has the chunky case with the cushion shape, with the central lug to affix the integrated steel bracelet. It has the circular double notched bezel which sits proudly above the case, framing the dial. The tops and bottom of the case have the brushed finish, with the flat sides also having the brushed finish. To the right are the steel pushers for the chronograph, with the Zenith signed crown nestled in-between. The case back screws into place with the 6 notched design. It has the dished design with the circular brushed finish to the face. The reference engraving is clearly visible with the ‘Surf’ steel marking. Inside the case is signed with the Zenith name and logo. 
 
The design of the bracelet follows the Surf and Defy lines with its chunky and impressive integrated design. The bracelet affixes with the spring bar, through the central lug attached to the case. The bracelet consists of broad central links, with tapering links to the side with the bevelled edge. The brushed finishing compliments the design beautifully and interacts with the light due to the angular design. The Zenith logo clasp folds over to secure the bracelet in place.
 
The movement is the Zenith calibre 3019 PHC. It is an automatic chronograph movement, with a jewel count of 31. It has a hi-beat frequency of 36,000 BPH and a 50-hour power reserve. It displays the hours, minutes, small seconds, 12-hour counter, 30-minute counter, and central 60 second hand. It also has the quickset date function. The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within -6 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
 
The background:
For Zeniths 100th anniversary in 1965 they wanted to create something special, an automatic chronograph movement. The design and prototyping began in 1963 and took 7 years to complete. In 1968 Movado and Mondia partnered with Zenith to form the consortium which would bring the movement to the market. On the 10th of January 1969 the calibre 3019 PHC was born. The movement set industry standards with its complex and stunning design, with a hi-beat rate of 36,000 BPH and the self-winding mechanism. 
 
The company struggled and Zenith was sold to American owners, Chicago based Zenith Radio Corporation. They chose the path of Quartz, with mechanical movement production ceasing in 1975. Zeniths American owners was unhappy with mounting losses and offloaded the company in 1978. They were purchased by a trio of Swiss manufacturers including Paul Castela from Le Locle, driven by the desire to preserve the Swiss watchmaking legacy that took so long to create. 
Pierre-Alain Blum, president of Ebel, “stumbled” on a stash of El Primero movements. He decided to use this in Ebel chronographs, renamed as the Ebel calibre 134. This paved the way for Rolex. Seeing the use of the El Primero in Ebel watches, they sought Blums help when seeking to revive the Daytona, which featured the manual wind Valjoux 72. Blum agreed to work for Rolex, to fit the El Primero to the Daytona. The result was a partnership, spanning 10 years, inked in 1984, tasking Zenith to produce the El Primero for Rolex. The first El Primero Daytona was unveiled in 1988, known as the reference 16520. 
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and has the spotted patina with darkening to areas. The hour markers have the original luminous and have some light spotted corrosion. The signing is good and clear. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are of stick style with original luminous in-fill. They have some slight marking associated with age but are in good condition. The white painted central second is correct and original. The sub-dial hands are all good and original.
 
Glass: 
The sapphire crystal is original and is in good condition with no obvious marking to the main face. It has some slight marks to the bevelled edge.
 
Crown: 
The Zenith signed crown is good and original with only light marking.
 
Pushers:
The pushers are original. The bottom pusher has denting to the face and scuffing. They function as they should.
 
Case:
The case is stainless steel and is in decent original and unpolished condition. It has the mix of polished and brushed finishes. There are some dints to the bezel and the edges of the case as expected. It also has noticeable light scratching. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is stainless steel and is in decent unpolished condition. It has the original circular brushed finish. The reference engraving is good and clear. It has some marks from poor opening in the past.
 
Bracelet:
The watch is on its original integrated bracelet. It is well sized, fitting up to an 8.5” wrist circumference. It has light surface scratching to the front. It has light scratching to the back with some more noticeable dints. It remains un-polished with the brushed finish. 
 
Movement: 
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within -6 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
 
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 37mm Case width with crown: 39mm  Case length: 36.2mm Case length lug to lug: 42mm Case Depth: 11.6mm Lug width: N/A