![]() ![]() Offering a central display of the hours and minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, chronograph with central chronograph hand, 12-hour counter 6 six o’clock, and 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a tachymeter scale and date indication between 4 and 5 o’clock, the Chronomaster Revival Manufacture Edition comes with a blue alligator leather strap featuring a protective rubber lining and stainless steel pin buckle. Beating within it at a rate of 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) and with a 50-hour power reserve, is the same movement it would have had had it been made in 1969: the venerable El Primero high-frequency 400 automatic chronograph with column wheel. What makes this edition significant and even more unique is that it represents the final version of the A386 available with the original “Revival” case. The CHRONOMASTER Revival Shadow mimics the look of an obscure ZENITH chronograph prototype from the 1970s that featured a blackened case. The stainless steel case with pump-style pushers is an exact reproduction of the 1969 A386, using the blueprints of the original to preserve the proportions of the iconic chronograph. The Zenith A386, announced in January 1969, introduced the El Primero movement, the first automatic chronograph in production with an incorporated automatic chronograph movement. It comes from a well-known retailer in Subdial.įind this A386 here from Subdial for 10950 GBP.Inspired by never-released vintage prototypes found in the attic of the Manufacture, the Chronomaster Revival Manufacture Edition features a white-lacquered dial with three counters in three shades of blue, reflecting a previously unknown prototype face from the company archives. To mark the 50th anniversary of its iconic El Primero movement, in January 2019 Zenith introduced a superb and rare set of three watches (with a 4th to be presented), representing the past, present, and future of this calibre. The watch is said to be running well but service history is unkown. The steel version of the Zenith El Primero A386 revival, found in the 50th-anniversary set. The crystal is totally unmarked, possibly a service job but can’t say for sure. The case appears strong, though it may have seen some polish. The hands and their lume are evenly aged. For details on the race to build the first automatic chronograph, read about Project 99 at OnTheDash. That said, the dial has no spots or discoloring. The Zenith A386, announced in January 1969, introduced the El Primero movement, the first automatic chronograph in production with an incorporated automatic chronograph movement. The main thing to note is that the dial and handset are service replacements. The limited quantity (in combination with few remaining in strong condition) and genuine iconic status I feel are sure to see these increase in collectibility.Īnd to speak of strong condition, that’s exactly what we see here. Although you see the A386’s influence across many other styles of Zenith chronograph, just 4500 were actually produced in this original flavor.Īlthough the market has risen considerably in the last few years, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that these are still a value. Voila, you have an icon of the last century-A386. The Chronomaster Original essentially repackages the vintage A386, preserving the distinctive design while installing a modern movement. Restrain the case to a tasteful 38mm with angular lug design, a bit shark-nosed. Make it a hi-beat for increased precision and because you can. First, take the (or one of the) first-ever automatic chronograph movements. At that time you could buy a nice A384 for around 4000,a nice A385 for around 5000 and a nice A3 or 8000. And this is how I fell in love with the Zenith A386. Zenith’s recipe was fairly straightforward here. This must have also been the time in which I learned about this big competition between Heuer, Zenith and Seiko to launch the first automatic chronograph ever. Non-watch people might be able to categorize it as any generic vintage chronograph. According to the in-depth research done over at Alpha Hands, who provide an amazing reference guide for the A386, we know that only 2,500 examples of the A386 reference were produced during this time, between 19. It’s also a complete sleeper to the general population. Up for grabs is the immensely popular Reference A386 Zenith El Primero chronograph. The automatic cal 3019 is as gorgeous as it was groundbreaking. ![]() Its design is attractive, the contrasted big-eye subs uniquely lovely. Zenith marked the 50th Anniversary of the El Primero last year with several historical remakes, including the editions for Phillips auctioneers as well as the El Primero A386 Revival, a set of watches that were a near-exact reproduction of the original. The monumentally innovative reference appeals to all my senses. The Chronomaster Revival A386 Manufacture Edition is in line with the previous Revival editions of the A386. Very little stirs the ‘purchase now’ instinct in me like the A386 El Primero these days.
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