Maybe it was right near where I was standing, or maybe it was a hundred yards away. Either way, 50 years ago, folks in Baselworld’s Hall 1 gathered to see the brand new Zenith El Primero for the very first time. It was 1969, and the year was all about the debut of the automatic chronograph. Zenith’s A386 reference was the vehicle of choice to debut this soon-to-be-legendary caliber. The watch has a streamlined case and a bold dial with three different colored sub-registers and an angled date window at 4:30. Combine that with the high-speed automatic chronograph movement inside and the watch was unlike anything the world had ever seen.
First Photos The Zenith El Primero A386 Revival In White, Rose, and Yellow Gold
