![]() ![]() The movement inside is a no-thrills El Primero 400 with 278 components, apparently exactly the same as can be found in other, much more common iterations in the collection. The 18kt white gold version is the blandest of them all, while the rose gold adds a contemporary touch. ![]() In yellow gold, it looks as precious as it should for such a notable anniversary - not explaining the lack of a steel version, but the A386 certainly looks fantastic in this timeless material. With its long lugs, the A386 wears considerably larger than its 38mm diameter would suggest, a feat further enforced by the grandiose proportions of its dial elements. Okay, back to the Zenith El Primero A386 Revival. On the reference that I reviewed, it had the 6 o’clock register overlapping the other two, whereas the reference that is available today (03.2150.400/69.C713) has them in the correct order. Second, since my review, Zenith has performed a minuscule update to the Original 1969: it now has the three sub-dials overlapping in the correct order. Two important things to note: First, the case of the Original 1969 is different from the angular A386 - bad news if you’re a purist and good news if you prefer curves and an arguably superior fit around the wrist. You may read my review of that steel version here and watch my video review here (now at over 128,000 views, a figure that speaks volumes about the popularity of this piece). These three references (times 50 pieces for a total of 150 watches) will be picked up by die-hard collectors in a jiffy, anyway - by collectors, and everyone who’s had enough of waiting for the privilege of shelling out the same amount for a steel Daytona.īefore we get to specs, I should add that we have not had to do without neat, readily available, and relatively much more affordable homages to the original: the El Primero Original 1969 - that, despite its name, has been in production for years as a modern re-edition of one of the original references - is one of my all-time favorite watches it is, indeed, very high on my List of Must-Get Watches. I have hopes for a stainless steel version to come later in the year, though I can’t at this time see why splitting these launches would be necessary. The El Primero has a global and extensive fan base, so if you want to mess with their minds and make them feel worthless, launching nothing more than an all-gold limited edition for $19,900 is a tried and proven way of doing that. And other than some strange case supplier-related limitations, I cannot think of a solid reason why this must have been necessary. As I said, this case study is, rather inexplicably, exclusively available in 18k white gold, 18k rose gold and 18k yellow gold. The A386 oozes ’70s style - yes, we all know it debuted in 1969, but the design, defined by its flat, angular lugs, unobstructed crown and piston-pushers, domed crystal, 38mm diameter and unashamed dashes of color is very much a case study in ’70s wristwatch aesthetics. The real head-scratcher here is when, if at all, are we going to see some non-limited, competitively priced steel homages to the original ~1969 variations of the El Primero – as I am sure we have plenty of fans lining up around the world for Zenith and a tribute to its original 5 Hertz chronograph. Sure, a total of 150 pieces, each of them clad in - and priced for - different alloys of solid gold, can reasonably have a preposterous warranty like that but it sure is a fun element to the “revival” of the first-ever El Primero model from 1969. Exclusively in 18k gold and limited to 50 pieces, each comes with a 50-year warranty. Behold three limited-edition references with the Zenith El Primero A386 Revival, launched as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration of one of the greatest automatic chronograph wristwatches ever made. The 50th anniversary of the Zenith El Primero makes for a splendid opportunity for some justified tributes, homages or, as Zenith apparently likes to call them, revivals.
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