{"product_id":"zenith-el-primero-a386-as02586","title":"Zenith El Primero A386","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAs the first model to be fitted with the El Primero movement, the Zenith A386 was—visually and technically—a standout. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIts avant-garde looks and groundbreaking movement ensured that it stood out from the competition. The A386 was hallmarked by its three different-colored sub-registers, a drastic departure from the traditional color schemes of most chronographs of the day. And although the case was round—unlike its successors—it was distinguished by its beveled lugs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe A386 commands a hefty premium among collectors for its horological import, and the one that we offer here holds up the watch’s reputation. The bevels on the lugs are sharp, and the dial is no less stunning. Released at the absolute zenith of Zenith’s history, this A386 is certainly worthy of its preeminence. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIn 1969, as the Soviets and the Americans raced to put a man on the moon, watch brands raced to develop the first automatic chronograph movement. The fiercest competition was among the Swiss, with two camps vying against each other for supremacy: Hamilton, in concert with Heuer, Breitling, Dubois-Depraz, and new Hamilton acquisition, Buren, who would use Buren's Intra-Matic to develop the \"Chrono-Matic\" (or Caliber 11) under the mysterious title of Project 99. Then there were Zenith and Movado, who'd already made a name for themselves as producers of fine \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/shop.analogshift.com\/collections\/watches\/products\/zenith-a278-chronograph-box-and-papers\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003echronographs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eZenith’s journey to develop the \u003ci\u003eEl Primero\u003c\/i\u003e began in 1962, for a target date of 1965, the company’s centennial. Although Zenith would overshoot the date by four years, the movement that they produced would break the mold as far as chronograph movements were concerned—both literally and figuratively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt would be the first automatic chronograph movement. Furthermore, it would be the first chronograph movement where the construction would fully integrate the chronograph complication, rather than containing it in a module. Instead, the El Primero would contain a column wheel and a rotor mounted on ball bearings. Moreover, of the three automatic chronograph movements that were released in 1969, only the \u003ci\u003eEl Primero \u003c\/i\u003ewas high-beat, meaning that it beat at a rate of 36,000 bph. This offered significant added accuracy, down to one tenths of a second.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zenith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8228530094167,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/Zenith_El_Primero_A386_AS02586_2.jpg?v=1527609698","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/zenith-el-primero-a386-as02586","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}