Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th - References, Prices and Owners' Reviews

The Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th is an iconic watch that embodies watchmaking innovation and the spirit of adventure. Introduced by the Swiss manufacturer Zenith, this masterpiece is the result of a rich history and cutting-edge engineering.

History and Context

Zenith, founded in 1865, is recognized for its significant contributions to watchmaking, notably with the El Primero movement, unveiled in 1969 as the first high-frequency automatic chronograph. This revolutionary caliber beat at 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing precision to the tenth of a second. The Stratos Flyback Striking 10th pays homage to this heritage by integrating advanced features while retaining the essence of classic Zenith design.

Design and Aesthetics

The watch sports a 45.5 mm diameter stainless steel case, offering a notable presence on the wrist while ensuring robustness suitable for extreme conditions. The dial features Zenith's three iconic colored counters, arranged in a balanced manner for optimal readability. Luminescent hands and indexes ensure easy reading of the time, even in low-light environments.

The unidirectional bezel, often made of ceramic, adds a touch of modernity and durability, resisting scratches and daily wear and tear. The domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the dial while providing exceptional clarity.

Features and Movement

At the heart of the Stratos Flyback Striking 10th is the El Primero caliber 4057 B, a high-frequency automatic chronograph movement. This movement allows the central second hand to make a complete revolution of the dial in 10 seconds, thus providing precise measurement to the tenth of a second. This feature is particularly useful for professionals requiring extreme precision, such as pilots or engineers.

The flyback function allows instant reset and restart of the chronograph with a single press, making it easy to measure successive times without delay. This feature is essential in situations where every fraction of a second counts.

The watch also features a date function, discreetly placed between 4 and 5 o'clock, adding to its practicality without compromising the aesthetics of the dial.

Performance and Reliability

The Stratos Flyback Striking 10th is designed to withstand extreme conditions. It offers water resistance up to 100 meters (10 ATM), making it suitable for swimming and light diving. The El Primero movement is renowned for its reliability and precision, ensuring consistent performance even in demanding environments.

Link to Adventure and Exploration

This watch is particularly famous for accompanying Austrian adventurer Felix Baumgartner on his historic jump from the stratosphere in 2012. Strapped to his wrist, the Stratos Flyback Striking 10th withstood extreme conditions, including variations in pressure, temperature and intense acceleration forces, while continuing to function flawlessly. This feat demonstrated the exceptional robustness and reliability of the watch.

Conclusion

The Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th is more than just a watch; it symbolizes innovation, precision and the spirit of adventure. Its timeless design, combined with advanced functionality, makes it a coveted piece by collectors and watch enthusiasts. Whether for daily use or to accompany extraordinary exploits, this watch embodies the know-how and excellence of the Zenith house.

Get inspired by reviews from real customers to choose the watch that suits you.

(Updated March 2025)