2019 Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero A384 50th Anniversary

In 1969, Zenith joined Heuer and Seiko in the race to develop the world’s first automatic chronograph. Their entry, the “El Primero”, was the most sophisticated of the group, featuring a high-beat, column-wheel construction capable of measuring 1/10th of a second. Initially paired with the iconic tri-color dial of the A386, the movement’s future was quickly jeopardized when the company was sold to the Zenith Radio Corporation in 1971. Under new leadership, the brand pivoted toward quartz technology, eventually ordering the removal of all watchmaking tools from the mechanical workshop.

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However, the El Primero was saved by the defiance of senior engineer Charles Vermot, who secretly hid the necessary machinery and technical drawings in the factory attic. This act of preservation proved immensely beneficial in the 1980s when Rolex sought an automatic caliber for its flagship chronograph. Zenith — back under Swiss ownership — used Vermot’s stashed equipment to resume production and supply Rolex, a partnership that cemented the El Primero’s legendary reputation and ensured its place as the definitive focal point of Zenith’s offerings.

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The watch offered here is part of  Zenith’s post-millenium effort to recapture the visual essence of the brand’s first El Primero models. In 2019, Zenith released several commemorative Revival pieces, including a Chronomaster that was a faithful reproduction of the original A384 from 1969. The new model came with the same case size, shape, and dial design, but with a few modern upgrades including Super-LumiNova, a sapphire crystal, and an exhibition caseback to show off the glorious El Primero movement. With its stunning panda dial and modest proportions, this example is easily one of Zenith’s most charming modern watches.