As a modern successor to the round ZENITH A386, one of the first steel El Primero references from 1969, the Chronomaster Original reinterprets the iconic three-color dial on a black background – a first for the historic case from 1969. Equipped with the latest Generation of the caliber The Chronomaster Original is a high-frequency automatic chronograph from El Primero with a 1/10 second display and a three-color dial on a black background. It’s a totally contemporary take on one of El Primero’s most iconic references.
In the latest addition to the Chronomaster Original line, one of the most distinctive elements of the El Primero design is the back: the traditional creamy white dial with three subdials in shades of gray and blue changes to black for a more spectacular effect. This is the first time that a three-color dial on a black background appears in the 38mm diameter steel case designed for the 1969 A386. Just like the Chronomaster Sport line, which includes three-color dials on a white or black background, the Chronomaster Original line is now complete: the historic tricolor dial on a white background is joined by a more modern and daring tricolor dial on a black background. With the black base, other elements change from white to black or vice versa, notably the date disc in the trapezoidal window at 4:30 and the chronograph’s 10-second and 1/10-second scales.
Chronomaster Original © ZENITH
The Chronomaster Original perfectly integrates the 1/10th of a second chronograph without changing the configuration of the A386 and its various scales. The truly unique chronograph is equipped with a red central seconds hand that completes one revolution of the dial in 10 seconds. The hand moves regularly every tenth of a second, allowing fractions of time to be read intuitively.
Inheriting the silhouette and proportions of its historic predecessor from 1969, the Chronomaster Original features a 38mm diameter round steel case without bezel around a raised domed crystal. When it comes to the pump-style chronograph pushers, faceted lugs and mix of brushed and polished surfaces, the new model is no different from the old. The redesigned full-link steel bracelet replaces the openwork “Ladder” model from 1969.
Chronomaster Original © ZENITH
More than 50 years after ZENITH forever changed the evolution of mechanical chronographs, ZENITH continues to develop and evolve the El Primero caliber through versions that push the limits of performance. It continues to be the benchmark for precision in automatic chronograph movements. The Chronomaster Original is equipped with the latest version of the El Primero caliber, the 3600. With its high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour), it offers a concrete display of 1/10 of a second. In addition, it benefits from greater autonomy and a power reserve extended to 60 hours. Through the sapphire crystal back we discover a more refined and airy contemporary architecture with a blue column wheel and an openwork rotor characterized by the five-pointed zenith star.
The Chronomaster Original with a three-color dial on a black background, which complements the current collection, is available in ZENITH boutiques and authorized dealers worldwide.