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inspired by a long-forgotten prototype
AN UNKNOWN DIAL, RECOVERED FROM THE ATTIC
Part of the appeal and unique style of the A386 was the tri-colour layout of its dial, with silver, grey and blue sub-counters. What no one knew until now is that the brand made other dials, as prototypes, which remained unknown and unseen until recently. So is the dial that inspired this new Zenith Chronomaster Revival Manufacture Edition, with its triple shades of blue. Why releasing this now? Well, the story has to do with the grenier or attic of the historic manufacture.
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.
https://monochrome-watches.com/zenit...-review-price/
Zenith ends their 50th-anniversary celebration of the Zenith El Primero with the Chronomaster Revival “Manufacture Edition”: a stunning reproduction of the original A386 El Primero with a prototype dial in three tones of blue. Find out just why this could be the ideal chronograph.
ARMAND CONDE-SEQUEIRA-ROSEN
https://www.watchchronicler.com/new-...cture-edition/
Key Facts and Price
Zenith Chronomaster Revival “Manufacture Edition”
Ref. 03.Z386.400/60.C843
Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 12.6 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m
Movement: El Primero 400
Functions: Time, date and chronograph
Winding: Self-winding
Frequency: 36,000 beats per hour (5 Hz)
Power reserve: 50 hours
Strap: Blue alligator
Availability: Only at Zenith’s online store or the manufacture in Le Locle
Price: 8,900 Swiss francs; or 12,700 Singapore dollars
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
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.
https://shop.zenith-watches.com/pub/...00_60.C843.pdf
https://monochrome-watches.com/the-z...ovements-ever/