One of the world’s best known chronograph movements, the Rainbow is the most recognisable design it featured in. Model reference 02-0360-400.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Zenith launched the Rainbow line of El Primero watches in 1992 and showed them Basel at the 1993 show. The Rainbow name refers to a sailing boat, depicted on the case back. Also, the stamp on the case back saying Modele Dep. was used on these first series watches between 1992-1995, so we have picked a mid point year.
CONDITION
The El Primero is a classic movement, and the Rainbow models are some of the most recognised designs that utilise it. But it nearly never happened – in 1975 Zenith’s American owners at the decided that quartz was the future and ordered the tooling to be sold to the highest bidder! But a senior employee hid the tooling instead, and likely saved the company once they changed their mind again. In 1981, Ebel wanted to use the El Primero movement in their ranges, and the tooling was recovered. By 1988 Rolex also signed a 10 year agreement to also use the El Primero base for their updated Daytona models. With the higher quantities now required, Zenith re launched the El Primero in the De Luca models, which look very similar to the Rainbow model here. Other companies valued the El Primero movement more than Zenith did, because there was no other competitor with the same qualities – despite the El Primero being launched in 1969 as one of the very first automatic chronographs, but nineteen years later Rolex still hadn’t got an automatic chronograph movement and preferred to use Zenith’s movement rather than develop their own (although Rolex did simplify their watch by reducing the speed of the watch from 36.6 to 28.8kbph, and removed the date mechanism).
The bezel on this example has a few scratches and has lost some paint, but most have (or been repainted – an easy job but it will chip again). The dial is very good, and the hands look original. The crown and pushers all screw down smoothly, and everything is working correctly including the quick set date (on the el primero movements the quick set is on position 2 of the crown, which is normally for time setting on most other movements.) The bracelet is quite long and our sister website, SpareLinks.com, may have extra links if required. The bracelet has been cleaned in our ultrasonic bath. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement and clasp.
This watch will be supplied with our branded and reusable zipped travel case and cleaning cloth, and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 43.5 mm
Width without crown 39.9 mm
Between lugs 20 mm
Lug to lug length 46.7 mm
Case Thickness 12.2 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 194 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
