News: A 60s Classic Makes A Comeback - The Zenith Chronomaster Original

In 1969, Zenith released a trio of watches—all featuring the revolutionary El Primero calibre, the first automatic chronograph movement. Out of the three watches, two had tonneau-shaped cases with classically styled “panda” and “reverse panda” dials—the A384 and the A385—but the third, the A386, well that’s a little more familiar-looking.

Pictured here by Zenith is an original A386 available for purchase through its boutique in Ginza, Tokyo

Picture a classic Zenith in your head. I bet the A386 is the spitting image of what you’re imagining. A highly legible chronograph, with a round steel case, a multi-coloured trio of sub-dials, and pump-style pushers—the A386 is the icon all other Zeniths borrow from.

So, why am I talking about a watch that’s over 50 years old? A very valid question, my inquisitive friend. Well, that’s because Zenith has just released a tribute to the A386—and it’s incredibly faithful, be it with a little modern influence.

The new Zenith Chronomaster Original

The new Zenith Chronomaster Original—as I mentioned—is very much like the original it pays homage to. It’s 38mm in size, features a steel case, pump-style pushers and Zenith’s emblematic tri-coloured sub-dials; it even has the date at 4:30 and a domed sapphire crystal to mimic the acrylic crystals used at the time. But … some of you might have caught on to the fact I said this watch is “very much like the original it pays homage to”—and that’s because it’s not exactly a 1-1 remake.

A closer inspection of this watch and its dial gives a clue to the biggest difference between this watch and its 60s counterpart. Seen what it is yet? You got it: the “36,000 vph” and 1/10th of a second scale—which replaces the plain ol’ tachymetre of the original. Both of these are small hints at what lies beating away at the heart of this watch.

The Zenith Chronomaster Original features the El Primero Calibre 3600

Seen through a sapphire caseback—another feature the original didn’t boast—is the El Primero Calibre 3600, which you might know from the Chronomaster Sport released earlier this year. The Calibre 3600 features a 60-hour power reserve, a 36,000 vph beat rate and a 1/10th of a second chronograph. It's a truly modern movement, one that helps to really bring this 1960s watch into the 21st century.

Although this watch costs just over £7,000, I think that it could be considered a bit of a bargain. Okay, okay, before you grab your pitchforks, let me explain. I will admit, £7,000 isn’t cheap, but if you were to try and get an original—if you can even find one—it will cost you somewhere in the ballpark of double, if not triple, and it goes without saying that you wouldn’t have the shiny new Calibre 3600 either.

The Zenith Chronomaster Original costs £7,100 on a leather band, or £7,500 on a bracelet

Zenith Chronomaster Original

Case | Stainless Steel

Dimensions | 38mm Diameter

Dial | Silver

Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal

Water Resistance | 50m

Movement | El Primero Calibre 3600

Frequency | 36,000 VPH

Power Reserve | 60 Hours

Strap | Leather, Stainless Steel Bracelet

Functions | Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Date, 1/10th Of A Second Chronograph

RRP | £7,100 (On Leather), £7,500 (On A Bracelet)

Limited Edition | No

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