Hands-on: ZENITH Chronomaster Revival A386 Manufacture Edition

[roadwarrior]

Jul 31, 2020

WatchAdvisor

For its first Manufacture Edition, Zenith has reproduced a previously unknown prototype dial of its iconic chronograph. The Chronomaster Revival Manufacture Edition is exclusively available on Zenith’s newly launched e-commerce platform, as well as to visitors of the Zenith Manufacture in Le Locle in Switzerland. Located at Latitude 47° 3'18.77"N / Longitude 6°44'25.70"E (GOOGLE Earth offers a 3-D view of the Zenith Manufacture)

Like a time capsule the attic of the Manufacture is a special place indeed, with many secrets still being uncovered today. While going through the attic of the main historical Zenith building last year during the El Primero’s 50th anniversary, an unexpected discovery was made...

Attic? Yes! Please watch our video:

Zenith #Chronomaster Revival #A386 #ManufactureEdition. Reference: 03.Z386.400/60.C843. Its dial is inspired by vintage prototypes never released and found in the attic of the Manufacture. This is an exclusive Manufacture Edition now also sold online.

Original 1969 case with 38mm diameter,
Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph
Movement: El Primero 400 Automatic
Frequency: 36,000 A/h (5 Hz = 1/10 of a second)
Power reserve: min. 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at nine o’clock.
Chronograph: central chronograph hand, 12-hour counter at six o’clock, 30-minute counter at three o’clock. Tachymetric scale. Date indication at 4:30.
Case: 38 mm
Material: stainless steel
Dial: White-lacquered dial with three shades of blue counters
Water-resistance: 50 meters
Price: 8900 CHF including VAT / 8600 Euro including VAT
Hour-markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Hands: White, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Blue alligator leather strap with protective rubber lining. Stainless steel pin buckle.

As a Manufacture piece, this revival edition is intended to be an exclusive piece, available uniquely to visitors of the Zenith Manufacture. Nonetheless, given the current situation, which does not allow to offer tours of the manufacture, Zenith is making the Manufacture Edition available on e-commerce, giving customers the opportunity to purchase the watch until the Manufacture reopens to the public for visits. Copy and paste/click https://www.zenith-watches.com to get to your e-commerce site in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

The Zenith Chronomaster Revival A386 Manufacture edition comes in a special packaging, mimicking a book that can be displayed on a bookshelf and bearing a blueprint of the Zenith manufacture on its cover. It will also include a comic book about #CharlesVermot by renowned Swiss cartoonist #Cosey, as well as a reproduction of the vintage dial found in the attic.

CHRONOMASTER COLLECTION - NEW MODEL
CHRONOMASTER REVIVAL A386 MANUFACTURE EDITION
Dial inspired by vintage prototypes never released and found in the Attic of the Manufacture Exclusive Manufacture Edition Original 1969 case with 38 mm diameter Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph

Ref 03.Z386.400/60.C843
$8,700.00

SHADES OF BLUE

For its first Manufacture Edition, exclusively available on our online store and to those who visit the Manufacture in Le Locle, Zenith is revisiting a secret part of the El Primero story and the first watches that were equipped with it. Housed in a steel case that mimics the proportions and finishes of the A386 from 1969, the signature tri-color dial is inspired by a previously unknown prototype with three shades of blue for the chronograph counters.

MOVEMENT

MOVEMENT	El Primero
COMPONENTS	278
FREQUENCY	36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
POWER RESERVE	min. 50 hours

FUNCTIONS Chronograph: - Central chronograph hand - 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock - 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock Hours and minutes in the centre Small seconds at 9 o'clock Tachymetric scale Date indication at 4:30

CASE

MATERIAL	Steel
DIAMETER	38 mm
WATER RESISTANCE	5 ATM
DIAL	White-lacquered dial with three shades of blue counters

STRAP

STRAP	Leather
CLASP	Stainless steel pin buckle

THE SECRET ATTIC

The Chronomaster Manufacture Edition is inspired by a prototype dial for the A386 from 1969, which was never produced - until now. During the 50th anniversary of the El primero, a small box was found in the secret attic where Charles Vermot had hid the tools and plans needed to produce the El Primero calibre. Within it were a number of dials, including a previously unknown iteration of the A386's iconic tri-color dial, using three different shades of blue.

MOVEMENT

Just like the original A386 from 1969, the Chronomaster Manufacture Edition is equipped with the venerable El Primero calibre, the world's first automatic high-frequency chronograph movement. Beating at 36'000 VpH (5 Hz) and delivering a power reserve of minimum 50 hours, the El Primero is as exceptional among chronograph calibres today as it was when first launched over 50 years ago.

 

[daycoo2]

A very handsome, and impressive standard size, chronograph, from Zenith. If I had 8.7K, I'd nail on down. Thanks for posting this, Mike.

 

[darkoverlord]

a real beaut. classic, sporty a little dressy. Don't like the 38mm size but I cant be talked into the original color scheme at 45mm or 42.