2005 Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Star 1230.4002

The Zenith Chronomaster Star, reference 03.1230.4002/21.M1230, represents a distinctive early-2000s execution of the El Primero chronograph, notable for its bold black guilloché dial and stylized Breguet numerals. The stainless steel case measures 37.5mm across, and the dial follows the two-register layout of the El Primero caliber 4002: running seconds at nine o'clock, a thirty-minute totalizer at three, and a date aperture set between four and five. The movement is a chronometer-certified automatic beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, and the watch is offered here as a complete set.

The black dial is clean and evenly finished, with crisp guilloché texturing and sharp, undisturbed printing throughout. The applied silver Breguet numerals are free of corrosion or discoloration, and the subdials remain well defined with no signs of spotting or lifting. All four hands are straight and intact, with no visible oxidation or loss of finish.

The polished steel case retains its original geometry, with crisp edges and lug bevels, showing no evidence of aggressive refinishing. Under close inspection, fine hairlines are visible on the bezel between 3 and 4 o'clock, (see image #3) and a light scuff is present on the lower case flank, but there are no dings, dents, or deep scratches. The pushers and star-signed crown are intact and unmarked apart from minor handling wear. The front sapphire crystal is clear and free of chips or visible scratches, and the sapphire display caseback remains unclouded.

The watch is fitted with its M1230 polished steel bracelet, which presents with bright, reflective links and no obvious stretch at the joints. The signed deployant clasp is intact.

Through the display caseback the movement presents clean, with the star-decorated rotor showing no corrosion or visible debris, and all caseback engravings crisp and fully legible. The watch is running at the time of listing, and the chronograph starts, stops, and resets to zero correctly. The caseback is marked water resistant to 30 meters, but the watch has not been pressure tested and should be treated as not water resistant.

This watch is offered as a complete set, including the outer sleeve box (showing light shelf wear and some corner softening at the base), a clean wood and leather presentation box, COSC certificate, booklet, and gold medallion. This Chronomaster Star is a well-kept, lightly worn example, accompanied by all of its original accessories and documentation.

Overall grade: Excellent. Presents as a lightly worn, well-kept example.

Case: Polished steel throughout, edges and lug bevels still crisp with no evidence of an aggressive refinish. Under close light there are fine hairlines on the polished bezel near 10 to 11 o'clock and a light scuff on the lower case flank. No dings, dents, or deep scratches. Pushers and the star-signed crown are intact and unmarked apart from minor handling wear.

Crystal: Front sapphire is clear with no chips or visible scratches. Display caseback is clear and unclouded.

Dial and hands: Black guilloché is clean and even with no spotting, staining, or lifting. Printing is sharp, the applied silver Breguet numerals show no corrosion or discoloration, and all four hands are straight and intact.

Caseback: Engravings are crisp and fully legible. Movement visible through the sapphire is clean, with the El Primero star rotor showing no corrosion or visible debris.

Bracelet: Polished links are bright with no obvious stretch at the link joints in these shots. The signed deployant clasp is intact.

Accessories: Complete set. Outer sleeve box (light shelf wear and corner softening at the base), wood and leather presentation box in clean condition, COSC certificate, booklet, gold medallion, and the original hang tag with the $3,320 price still attached. An intact hang tag on a 20-year-old watch is a genuine selling point and worth calling out in the listing body.