To commemorate the brand’s 160th anniversary, Zenith pays tribute to the watchmaking world and launches a new Chronomaster Original watch in stainless steel with a blue dial. Launched in 2021, the series is the orthodox inheritance of Zenith’s 1969 A386 watch – the A386 is one of the first stainless steel chronographs equipped with the legendary El Primero high-frequency movement. It is a model.
In addition to the groundbreaking movement, the A386 is also known for its classic round case and straight lugs. However, the most eye-catching is its novel three-color superimposed chronograph counter, which is impressive. Over the years, the A386 has undergone countless reinterpretations, including the gold version of the A386, but it was not until four years ago that Zenith launched a new stainless steel version for collectors and chronograph enthusiasts as a permanent part of its collection. Now, the steel successor has finally arrived, and its faithful design and vintage spirit immediately captivated the watch world.
It’s no surprise that the LVMH brand is now celebrating its 160th anniversary with another Chronomaster Original in steel. And this is no simple remake. This chronograph not only retains the design elements and proportions of its predecessor – which are sure to excite many watch lovers – but also brings performance to the forefront of modern watchmaking. exact replica watches
Movement – El Primero at its best
The El Primero 3600 automatic movement was launched in 2019 to mark its 50th anniversary. It beats at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. This enables the chronograph to measure elapsed times to the nearest tenth of a second, indicated by the central chronograph seconds hand, which completes a revolution in just ten seconds instead of the usual sixty. The date display is at 4:30 and the small seconds at 9 o’clock.
The watch is also equipped with a stop-seconds device to ensure precise time setting. When the crown is pulled out, this device stops the balance wheel, thus stopping the movement and the seconds hand. Despite its high 5Hz frequency, the El Primero 3600 watch still offers a power reserve of up to 60 hours. For those who appreciate technical aesthetics, the sapphire crystal caseback offers a glimpse of its exquisite structure, revealing the column wheel and the skeletonized rotor decorated with the Zenith five-pointed star logo.
Zenith Blue Dial
Blue has always been of great significance to Zenith. Brand founder Georges Favre-Jacot named the brand after the starry night sky, and “Zenith” means the highest point in the sky, symbolizing excellence. As a result, blue has become the brand’s iconic color.
The sunburst dial, naturally in Zenith blue, is like a midnight canvas against which the iconic counters from the A386 are set, which are mainly in grey, dark grey and – of course – blue. The silvered tenths of a second scale surrounds the dial, creating a sharp contrast and enhancing legibility. Time is indicated by rhodium-plated faceted baton-shaped hour markers and baton-shaped hands, all coated with Super-LumiNova.
CASE – Almost original
The compact 38 mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 5 bar and is suitable for all wrist sizes. It is a faithful reproduction of the case of the 1969 A386 watch and follows the original design. Its features include a rounded bezel-less structure, pump-type pushers, an inclined profile and faceted lugs. The interplay of brushed and polished surfaces brings the case to life.
The watch is presented on a blue calfskin strap (with matching stitching) and a three-row stainless steel bracelet, both with a folding clasp.
Brand
Zenith
Model
Chronomaster Original
Reference
03.3200.3600/52.C910
Case Material
Stainless Steel
Aspect
Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 12.6 mm
Between lugs: 46 mm
Water Resistance
5 bar (50 m)
Dial
Blue with sunray finish and three subdials in different colors
Strap/Bracelet
Blue calfskin strap with stainless steel folding clasp, metal bracelet with integrated folding clasp
Movement
El Primero 3600
Movement Type
Automatic
Power Reserve
60 hours
Frequency
36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz)
Functions
Central hour and minute hands, small seconds at 9 o’clock, tenth-second chronograph – central chronograph hand completes one rotation every 10 seconds