FS: Zenith 1970's A386 El Primero from Hodinkee Shop

[mossmanjj]

1970's Zenith El Primero Reference A386

Featured in the Hodinkee Shop
https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1...=1792647397391

I added a cool Zenith deployment clasp on a new Zenith leather strap.

In very good shape for its age.

Price including US shipping, $13,000 net to me.

From Hodinkee:

Why This Watch Matters
This Zenith has everything you could wish for – the first high-beat automatic chronograph movement and a killer dial. This reference A386 is truly something else.

The Full Story

In the late 1960s, the competition to create an automatic chronograph movement was fierce between Seiko, Zenith, and a conglomerate including Heuer, Breitling, and Hamilton, to name a few. Finally, in 1969 – seemingly all at once – a working solution was found, and the El Primero movement from Zenith claimed to be the most technically advanced high-beat automatic chronograph movement with a date. The manufacturer matched this innovation with an equally impressive dial, offering a groundbreaking tri-color layout for the chronograph sub-registers. Furthermore, it features a "Mark II" case and thin "Mark I" register hands. In short, this A386 has both an amazing (and historically significant) movement and exemplary looks.


The Fine Print

Maker: Zenith
Model: El Primero
Reference: A386
Year: Circa 1970
Case No: 708D590
Movement No: N/A
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 38mm diameter; 13mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Automatic Zenith El Primero caliber 3019 PHC
Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Distressed Grey Leather NATO Strap [ I upgraded this]
Lug Width: 19mm
Box/Papers: No

The Nitty Gritty

This is a nice and honest example of a highly desirable A386, the original lume on the dial and hands has turned a bit dark, as is common for the reference. The case has been lightly polished and the crown is a service replacement. The color of the three registers is preserved well and makes it a stunning watch on the wrist.