![]() The bracelet is probably the biggest aesthetic update. The new Chronomaster Original looks almost like the original, and the Revival A386. The raised box like crystal is also a nod to the one used in the late 1960s. The same case dimensions are adopted, a rather svelte one for 2021, at only 38mm in diameter. So it is with interest we see now that the new Chronomaster Original follows the same aesthetics as the A386 and the OG El Primero of 1969. The Revival A386 shown here in yellow gold. Both the design aesthetics as well as the use of the original caliber 400 movement contributed as to its instant success, as did the extremely limited edition series of only 50 pieces in each case material and the 50 year warranty. The El Primero was a high beat automatic chronograph, and was introduced in 1969, and one of the claimants to the title of the first automatic chronograph, along the Seiko 6309, and the Breitling/Heuer/Buren Caliber 01. The Revival A386 had a design DNA which is very close to the original – a 38mm case, with a box shaped crystal, and the El Primero 400 movement – the very same as in the original. The series was offered in 3 solid gold options – white gold, yellow gold and pink gold, in a limited edition of 50 pieces each. The Revival A386 was a considerable success for Zenith when it was launched to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the El Primero. Press Release information with commentary in italics Commentary The price is most often the asking price (converted to USD as of the date posted/seen), and the only “true” prices in this table are for auctions where the purchase price as known.Zenith presents the long awaited successor to the A386 with the new Chronomaster Original in a 21st century rendition of the iconic El Primero. In some cases, there is no image but posts have referenced an A386, and I use the information provided by posters. I have done this to both track pricing over time, if applicable, and track if the watch changes, such as whether hands or a crown is replaced, the case is polished, etc.ĭescription of case, hands, dial, tachy, and crown are based on images found on the internet, and often are guesses for images where the part is not clearly shown. Each line is not unique, rather a single A386 may appear on multiple lines as images are added over time. If you see any errors, or know of other Zenith A386s to add, please drop me a note with links or information.įor watches where the case number is not known (A386s do not have serial numbers on the movement), I have identified it by any portion of the case number known, plus a post date. ![]() Here is my attempt to aggregate all of the Zenith A386s I have seen. I don’t have an issue with those images being used, but if so, it would do everyone a service if it was noted all the parts that are not original to the watch. This is an issue to education – if a new collector stumbles upon these images, they would not likely know that they are looking at a non-original piece. What I do find disappointing is that it is quite common to see the A386 shown in publications with replacement parts, though never mentioned as such. It is up to the individual to decide whether this appeals to them, but a watch with these components replaced will have lower market value than an all-original piece in reasonable condition. As a result, we see a large number of pieces with both (including main hands, chronograph second hand, and register hands). Zenith supported (and continues to support) the A386 by providing service dials and hands as needed. – No more than 2,000 Zenith A386s per Hodinkee (2012). This figure was determined by Zenith in 2007. – 2,500 in Rossler’s Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865, published in 2009. Zenith will not be publishing any updated values. This update of 4,500 pieces is based upon additional Zenith review of the archives, and is the last official value from Zenith, provided to Rossler in 2014. Production is estimated to have been between 19, with dates based on serial numbers plus information from the Extracts from the Zenith Registers, and combined with information from original owners. Per Manfred Rossler in the catalog El Primero – The Chronograph (available in German only) from 2015, there were approximately 4,500 Zenith A386 produced. For details on the race to build the first automatic chronograph, read about Project 99 at OnTheDash. ![]() The Zenith A386, announced in January 1969, introduced the El Primero movement, the first automatic chronograph in production with an incorporated automatic chronograph movement. ![]()
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