Swiss luxury watch brand Zenith expands its automatic chronograph product range by launching the Chronomaster Original.
Not many watches have been as influential and truly iconic as the Zenith A386. Introduced in 1969, it was one of the first steel watches to be equipped with the revolutionary El Primero calibre – the world’s first automatic high-frequency integrated chronograph movement.
Over 50 years later, the El Primero remains the benchmark of precision among automatic chronograph movements, giving way to new versions and iterations in a constant evolution of technology and performance.
While Zenith has paid tribute to many of its emblematic historical references, including gold versions of the A386 in its Chronomaster Revival collection that debuted during the El Primero’s 50th anniversary.
But beyond a contemporary reinterpretation of this iconic chronograph, Zenith has gone a step further with the Chronomaster Original. It masterfully retains the singular and enduringly relevant design of the A386 while packing the performance of the modern version of the El Primero boasting 1/10th of a second precision and time measurement.
Upon a first glance, the Chronomaster Original, and the A386 it’s based on, appear nearly identical. The 38mm round bezel-less steel case with a raised and domed crystal, the pump-style chronograph pushers, the faceted lugs and the mix of radial brushed and polished surfaces throughout are indistinguishable between the past and present models.
The steel bracelet has been reimagined, foregoing the open “ladder” design of the 1960s for solid links that are sumptuously chamfered and decorated in the same fashion as the case.
The Chronomaster Original’s distinctive dial design highlights the emblematic tri-colour chronograph registers in shades of grey and blue, the trapezoid date window at 04:30 and the red chronograph second hand.
The black inner scale surrounding the dial of the A386, once used to calculate time spent working using a 1/100th of an hour time division system, finds a new purpose in the Chronomaster Original, with its 1/10th of a second chronograph hand making a rotation around the dial in 10 seconds, totalling 100 measurable time units.
Substituting the tachymeter scale on the outer circumference on the dial, a 1/10th of a second chronograph scale takes its place, allowing for the measurement and reading of elapsed time in precise fractions of a second.
And for instantaneous, precise reading of the 10th of a second, the paddle-shaped seconds hand of the original A386 has been replaced with a straight, red-lacquered hand. The logo has also been updated to the more contemporary script Zenith uses today.
The Chronomaster Original is equipped with the latest version of the El Primero calibre, dubbed the El Primero 3600. With its high frequency of 5 Hz (36’000 VpH), the movement is able to precisely offer a true 1/10th of second indication. It comes with an extended power reserve of 60 hours.
Visible through the sapphire display back, the new architecture features a sleeker and more open design, revealing a blue column wheel and open rotor marked with the five-pointed star Zenith.
Apart from the signature steel with tri-colour dial configuration, the Chronomaster Original is available in two other versions: A steel case with a “reverse panda” black dial with silver chronograph registers, and an 18k rose gold version with the tri-colour dial.
The Chronomaster Original collection is available now at Zenith Boutiques, e-commerce and authorized retailers around the world.
Technical details
Key points
Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph able to measure and display 1/10th of a second
Increased power reserve of 60 hours
Date indication at 4:30
Stop-second mechanism
Movement
El Primero 3600 Automatic
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Functions
Hours and minutes in the centre
Small seconds at nine o’clock
1/10th of a second Chronograph: central chronograph hand that makes one turn in 10 seconds, 60 minute counter at six o’clock, 60 second counter at three o’clock.
Models
Zenith Chronomaster Original Steel, Reference: 03.3200.3600/69.M3200
Case
38-mm
Material: stainless steel
Caseback: sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
Silver with three-colors sub dials signature
Hour-markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle
Stainless steel bracelet and stainless steel double folding clasp
Price
8,900 CHF
Zenith Chronomaster Original Steel, Reference: 03.3200.3600/69.C902
Case
38-mm
Material: stainless steel
Caseback: sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
Silver with three-colors sub dials signature
Hour-markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle
Blue calfskin strap with stainless steel triple folding clasp
Price
8,400 CHF
Zenith Chronomaster Original Steel, Reference: 03.3200.3600/21.M3200
Case
38-mm
Material: stainless steel
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Caseback: sapphire crystal
Dial
Black matte with silver-toned counters
Hour-markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with beige Super-LumiNova®SLN
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with beige Super-LumiNova®SLN
Bracelet & Buckle
Stainless steel bracelet and stainless steel double folding clasp
Price
8,900 CHF
Zenith Chronomaster Original Steel, Reference: 03.3200.3600/21.C903
Case
38-mm
Material: Stainless steel
Caseback: sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
Black matte with silver-toned counters
Hour-markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with beige Super-LumiNova®SLN
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with beige Super-LumiNova®SLN
Bracelet & Buckle
Beige calfskin strap with stainless steel triple folding clasp
Price
8,400 CHF
Zenith Chronomaster Original Rose Gold, Reference: 18.3200.3600/69.C901
Case
38-mm
Material: 18-ct Rose gold
Caseback: sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
Silver with three-colors sub dials signature
Hour-markers: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Hands: Gold-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle
Brown calfskin strap with rose gold triple folding clasp
Price
18,900 CHF
