The Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 38mm is a faithful reproduction of one of the great classic chronographs of all time. I imagine many people out there have a soft spot for the Replica Zenith El Primero. Flipping over a modern watch with this movement inside takes you back to an earlier time. And they are true to their name “El Primero” which means “The First,” in that regard. As far as which chronograph was available commercially first, that is a different story as the Caliber 11 did, in fact, go on sale before the El Primero. 42 mm El Primero 36,000 VPH next to a 38 mm Zenith El Primero36,000 VPH Original 1969. Introduction .
The majority of the chronographs using the Zenith El Primero have a sporty-elegant design. Therefore, most of them are perfect everyday watches that you can wear to the office or in your free time. Some timepieces, on the other hand, are true sports watches , such as the Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback. It has a rotatable bezel and flyback .
In this conservative era, when zenith launched the revolutionary defy inventor, it also focused on reproduction: on January 10, 1969, replica zenith El primero a386 was launched for the first time in the world. This year is the 50th anniversary of its release. Zenith decided to launch this 38mm precision reproduction limited edition, with three sets of platinum, gold, red gold, 50 each.
The watch retains the traditional faceted straight lugs of the iconic El primero chronograph a386, originally named ‘El primero’, which is Spanish and refers to the ‘first one’ on display on January 10, 1969. The new zenith El primero a386 50th anniversary El primero limited edition is as close to owning the original watch of 1969. From the scale of the case to the dial and even the mirror, it’s a 100% replica of a similar nature that I’ve commented on before. The case is a nearly exact copy of the original a386 case, with the same profile, details and 38 mm diameter, except for the addition of a modern zenithstar to the back and crown. It also has a round arched sapphire crystal mirror, which replaces the acrylic mirror on the original version. Now the replica version must be changed here. The original a386’s multi-color triaxial layout was immediately recognized, and zenith’s new model maintains the same layout and color as the original El primero (the most representative and legendary watch). The contrast effect is used to improve the readability of the timing dial. At that time, the choice was light gray, anthracite and blue – a combination that soon became a symbol and also appeared in this limited edition. Similarly, the needle and the hour mark are original copies, with a white painted dial, and of course the gold case corresponds to the gold needle. Zenith also copied all the fonts on the dial, from speedometer to six o’clock logo. In a word, you can hardly find any difference between the old and new dial.
Zenith El primero a386 50th Anniversary Limited Edition comes with a brown alligator rubber lined strap with a pin buckle for 18k rose gold and gold, while 18K white gold comes with a black alligator strap with the same type of construction and buckle. It is worth noting that zenith has created a special watch box for this three piece set. A satin grey lid with a built-in touch screen opens to show a replica of the miniature watchmaker’s work table, with the rest equipped with a watch mechanism, adjustable lighting system, magnifying glass and screwdriver. The bottom half of the anniversary box contains a drawer in which three El primero timepieces are located.
Other brands have to use the modern movement in the reproduction, but zenith can boast that it is basically the original movement in 1969, I don’t know whether it is to boast or to say that zenith is conservative; the special limited edition is powered by zenith’s self-produced automatic movement 400, 31 drill, with a high frequency of 36000bph, which provides 50 hours of power reserve when the chain is fully up. Like all the other zenith movements, the surface and decoration of the movements are very special, and the pendulum with zenith star logo. On the wrist, zenith El primero a386 revival 50th El primero Anniversary Limited Edition wear is very similar to its old-fashioned predecessors. This 38mm case is a great fit with a beautiful retro feel. The retail price is US $19000, with a limit of 50 pieces of 18k rose gold, gold or platinum.