The time: 5:00 PM
The watch: Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open
In the coastal town of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, Merced has established itself as an experience that goes far beyond dining. Every plate is composed with intention, every detail meant to welcome guests in elegance and comfort. This pursuit of culinary artistry finds a fitting partner in the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open, a timepiece that unveils its inner beauty with a skeletonized dial and a movement revered for both precision and heritage.
The evening begins with the Grilled Octopus served with Togarashi Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts. Tender octopus, charred to perfection, intertwines with the gentle spice of togarashi and the earthy bite of Brussels sprouts. Much like the octopus reveals layers of flavor, the Zenith Chronomaster reveals layers of engineering through its open sapphire dial. Each bite and each glimpse into the movement speaks of depth, detail, and mastery.
For the Prime New York Strip Steak, boldness and refinement share the same plate. The steak’s rich flavor is elevated by grilled onions and vibrant chimichurri, balanced against the crisp freshness of asparagus. This dish mirrors the Chronomaster’s duality of strength and finesse. With its 5 Hz El Primero movement offering 1/10th of a second precision, the watch balances raw mechanical power with the finesse of fine finishing.
The Prime Ribeye Steak offers a celebration of Puerto Rican tradition with a luxurious touch. Tostones add crunch, rice offers comfort, and the ribeye takes center stage with succulent depth. This dish speaks to the Chronomaster’s robust 45 mm stainless steel case, a structure that anchors sophistication while honoring tradition. Both plate and watch embody resilience, character, and cultural pride.
Dessert begins with the Crème Brûlée de Calabaza / Pumpkin Crème Brûlée. Its caramelized crust gives way to smooth, spiced custard, a study in contrast that delights with each spoonful. The Chronomaster shares this same ability to surprise and captivate, with its large double-date display and moonphase complication offering more than first impressions suggest. Hidden complexity becomes evident only when one looks closer.
The final note is the Flan de Coco y Jengibre / Coconut & Ginger Flan, a dessert that blends tropical warmth with subtle spice. The creamy texture, layered with coconut sweetness and ginger’s brightness, reflects the poetic balance of the Zenith’s moon and sun-phase indicator. Just as the flan harmonizes opposing flavors, the watch harmonizes timekeeping artistry with celestial romance.
The Pairing
Dining at Merced and experiencing the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open is to live in a space where craftsmanship and artistry converge. Both remind us that excellence is not just in performance but also in the emotion it evokes.
The Chronomaster El Primero Grande Date Full Open is not just a watch, it is a performance in mechanical theater. Beneath its sapphire crystal, the open-worked dial reveals the legendary El Primero movement, beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. Its three registers, large double-date display, and moon and sun-phase indicator create a dynamic interplay of complications, much like a tasting menu unfolds with variety and elegance. With its robust 45 mm stainless steel case and 100-meter water resistance, it combines endurance with refinement, making it a watch that is as versatile as it is beautiful.
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