Case & Materials Zenith Chronomaster Original in Steel The Zenith El Primero A386 became the first watch to be equipped with this special movement. Nevertheless, Zenith succeeded in creating such a movement, which henceforth bore the name El Primero – meaning, of course, “the first”. For this, the frequency of the balance had to be 5 Hz, which led to other difficulties. It had to be able to measure tenths of a second in order to become the most accurate automatic chronograph of the time.

However, the innovative calibre was to fulfil even more specifications. The history of the Zenith El Primero A386Īlthough automatic movements became increasingly popular from 1940 onwards, no watch manufacture had yet succeeded in developing a self-winding chronograph. The new Zenith Chronomaster Original is available in three versions, which differ in terms of their dials, case materials, straps and bracelets. Now, however, we have a series production with a steel case. Zenith already presented a reinterpretation of this watch in 2019, however this was only available in precious metal. This was the first automatic chronograph movement to use a high frequency of 5 Hz. The original Zenith A386 was one of the first stainless-steel watches to be equipped with the El Primero calibre. So yes the color scheme is similar but the subdials functions are quite different.Zenith is relaunching its legendary A386 as the Chronomaster Original, giving it a permanent place in the collection. The 3600 has the advantage of being able to measure more granular time units whereas the 400b can measure longer (though I can't see why one would need to use a chronograph to measure 12 hrs.).

Each rotation around the dial by the center seconds is 10 seconds and the subdials measure running seconds, seconds elapsed and minutes elapsed up to 60. Subdials measure running seconds, minutes elapsed and hours elapsed up to 12 hrs. The 400b operates like a traditional Chronograph, with the center seconds hand rotating around the dial once every 60 seconds. So something to make sure you're aware of.the color aesthetics of the two references are similar ( particularly the 38mm versions) but the functions of the two movements are going to be different. I couldn't tell you how widespread it is.

Download el primero 3600 movement