Zenith released in 2021 an unlimited set of the Chronomaster Original, included previously only with the ’50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Box Set’. This piece is a steel version of the original A386 in the Mark 1 case with specifications including the automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph and 60 hour power reserve. And when viewed from across the room (well, except maybe an auction house room or vintage watch dealer’s shop), can be taken for the original Zenith A386. Key differences between this watch and the original at a quick glance are the stick chronograph hand (lacking the luminous rectangle), “1/10TH OF A SECOND” text on the outer ring (instead of TACHYMETRE), and text on the dial “36 000 VpH”. The original ladder bracelet, which fetches quite a sum today on its own (well, with ZJ endlinks) has been modified to a solid link bracelet.
Reference:
03.3200.3600/69.C902
Previously, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the El Primero, Zenith made two releases that were based upon the A386:
Steel version included as part of the 50th Anniversary Set (L),
and the El Primero A386 Revival (R)
1. 50 Years of El Primero – Anniversary Set
In January 2019, the 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Box Set was released, which included a reproduction of the 1969 A386 (stainless steel, Mark 1 case design).
The most noticeable changes from the original A386 are:
a. Not surprisingly, a sapphire caseback to view the movement, with engraving specific to the piece
b. Movement is the most current production version of the original caliber 3019 PHC, which is the caliber El Primero 400, of course with different engraving and appearance from the original El Primero
c. Domed sapphire (versus original plexiglas)
c. Crown with the 5-point star logo, versus the large and small circle crown of original pieces
d. Color of the lume, which is a very bright white, versus the aged yellow lume you will see on 50 year old pieces.
This Zenith Anniversary Set was limited to 50 pieces and priced at $50,000.
References included in the set:
Stainless steel A386: 03.A386.400
Chronomaster 21 El Primero: 03.3001.3600
Defy El Primero 21: 95.9012.9004
List price of set: CHF 50,000
2. Zenith El Primero A386 Revival
In March 2019 Zenith announced individual sales of the Zenith El Primero A386 Revival. As with the 50th Anniversary set, these individual offerings each were limited to 50 pieces, and produced in white, rose and yellow gold.
The difference from the above is that while this A386 “Revival” is a white metal and one might expect it to be steel, rather is white gold.
Reference:
White gold: 65.A386.400/69.C815
Rose gold: 18.A386.400/69.C807
Yellow gold: 30.A386.400/69.C807
List price: CHF 19,900 (same for each material)