The Épervier — French for sparrowhawk — was a collection name used by Zenith in the years 1988 and 1989 to market a range of El Primero chronographs at a more accessible price point, the result is a chronograph that is considered as one of the more refined and elegant versions of the El Priemro family. The watches in the Épervier line carried the same movement as the contemporaneous Chronomaster series: the El Primero Calibre 400, in its purest form — 278 components, 31 jewels, 36,000 vibrations per hour. In 1987 the El Primero was re-industrialised with further refinements, resulting in the movement that powers this watch.
The same Calibre 400 was simultaneously supplied to Rolex for use in the Daytona, where it was modified and designated the Calibre 4030. The ref. 19.0130.400 designates the Épervier in steel-and-gold: "19" in Zenith's reference coding indicating a stainless steel case with gold-plated elements. The round stainless steel case measures 38mm in diameter, 46mm lug to lug, with a case height of approximately 13mm. The screw-down caseback seats firmly and the screw-down crown is original. The gold-plated rotating bezel shows a 0/60 minutes / secondes scale in Arabic numerals.
The case is in very good condition with only light traces of use. The mineral glass is in perfect condition. The white lacquered dial with Breguet-style numerals — these are applied indexes in a warm, rounded font that gives the dial its immediate character — is in excellent condition. The three subdials: running seconds at 9, 30-minute counter at 3, and 12-hour counter at 6.
The date aperture is between 4 and 5 o'clock. On the dial perimeter is inner tachymetre chapter ring. The hands are original and the original Tritium lume has developed a pleasant warm tone. The Calibre 400 beats at 36,000 vph, and has a column wheel chronograph mechanism — integrated — which drives all of teh chronograph`s functions. The movement has been serviced in-house and is delivered in a proper working order.
This watch is fitted with a new leather strap. It is delivered with our six-month guarantee and our originality certificate. Worldwide shipping is available and inquiries are welcome.
