In the 1970s, Zenith management ordered the destruction of all mechanical chronograph tooling to make way for quartz. One watchmaker, Charles Vermot, disobeyed. He secretly hid the presses, plans, and cutting tools in the manufacture’s attic. He didn’t just save a caliber; he saved his company.
Proof of this victory came years later when Rolex needed an automatic movement for their new Daytona. They didn’t build it themselves, they knocked on Zenith’s door. The El Primero 400 inside this watch is the high-frequency ancestor of that collaboration.
This reference was designed as a proper, heavy-duty sports chronograph, distinct from the dressier cases of the past. It has thick lugs, a tachymeter bezel designed for use, screw-down pushers, a brushed/polished bracelet that gives it a sporty and classy look at the same time.
This specific Rainbow from 2001 is a rare “transition” example. It features tritium plots on the dial, even though it is labelled “Swiss Made”. It was probably produced just before the switch to Luminova, using the last batches of Tritium lume. It wears incredibly well, solid on the wrist but with a profile that slides under a cuff, unlike the massive blocks produced today. The butterfly clasp wraps around your wrist perfectly, giving you a very luxurious feeling.
The condition is great. With 40mm size, the case is sharp, retaining its original geometry, and the bracelet feels solid. It was worn very carefully.
The movement has been regulated and is running perfectly. It comes as a Full Set, with outer box, box, warranty, instruction booklets and additional links.
The set will be provided with a timegrapher report showing amplitude, rate, and beat error, proof of the watch’s mechanical health, plus a one-year warranty on the movement.
Being a watchmaker trained at WOSTEP, every watch sold by BRUTTO was either serviced or regulated to the highest possible industry standards.
BRUTTO Watches - Zürich
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