A supreme paradox Since its inception, horology
has been driven by a desire to measure the passing
of time as accurately as possible, by methodically
eliminating any factor that might compromise a
timepiece's isochronism. And yet, the time thus
measured is merely an abstract, or average time,
since real time – otherwise known as astronomical
time – is itself subject to a subtle irregularity.
The back of the El Primero 8808 Equation of Time
movement features a curve known as an
"analemma" which calculates the equation of time
based on the Gregorian calendar and displays it
at 9 o'clock on the front.
It is this paradox that the Le Locle-based
Manufacture sought to reconcile when it began
designing its prestigious new timepiece. For the
very first time on a Zenith watch, a counter at
9 o'clock indicates the equation of time, in other
words, the number of minutes that must be added
to or subtracted from civil time to ascertain the
true solar time. The technical challenges involved
in achieving this result arise from the fact that this
time difference varies from day to day depending
on a factor which is itself variable: the curve known
to astronomers as the analemma is a ∞ shaped
curve traced in the sky by the various positions of
the sun recorded daily, at a given time and location,
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Summary of Contents for EL PRIMERO series
Page 1: ...OPER ATING INSTRUC TIONS...
Page 4: ...ZENITH THE FUTURE OF SWISS WATCHMAKING SINCE 1865...
Page 10: ...EL PRIMERO...
Page 23: ...ELITE...
Page 31: ...EL PRIMERO 21...
Page 43: ...ZENITH OSCILL ATOR CALIBRE 9100...
Page 49: ...HAUTE HORLOGERIE...
Page 67: ...COMPLICATIONS...
Page 68: ...EL PRIMERO...
Page 81: ...ELITE...
