{"product_id":"zenith-el-primero-as01520","title":"Zenith El Primero","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo non-watch people, 1969 marks the year of the moon landing. But to those of us who live and breathe watches, 1969 was a year of revolution here on earth as well that came in the form of the first automatic chronograph movement(s). Much like the Soviets and the U.S. raced to put a man on the moon, watch brands vied against each other to be the first to produce a self-winding chronograph drivetrain. On one side of this contest was Hamilton, in concert with Heuer, Breitling, Dubois-Depraz, and new Hamilton acquisition, Buren.  In the wings of the contest sat Seiko, working diligently, if not silently, on its own distinct design.  Last, but certainly not least was \u003c\/span\u003eZenith\/Movado.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the time of its collaboration with Movado in 1969, Zenith had already established itself as a premiere producer of chronographs. The brand used ébauches made by Martel from the 1930s until the introduction of the El Primero movement in 1969. Universal Geneve also used Martel's movements in its \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/shop.analogshift.com\/collections\/watches\/products\/universal-geneve-tricompax-2\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Universal Geneve Tri-Compax \" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eCompax\u003c\/a\u003e chronographs. This relationship with Universal and Martel bore fruits such as the first chronograph with two pushers in the mid-1930s, and the first chronograph with a date in 1942. 1944 saw the introduction of the first chronograph with both day and date and a moon-phase indicator; known by most collectors as the Universal Geneve \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/shop.analogshift.com\/collections\/watches\/products\/universal-geneve-tri-compax-reverse-panda\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Universal Geneve Tri-Compax\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eTri-Compax\u003c\/a\u003e, Zenith also purchased these movements from Martel as well, and the Zenith Tri-Compaxes are much scarcer than their Universal Geneve counterparts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eEl Primero \u003c\/em\u003ewas\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003ehigh-beat automatic chronograph movement that debuted in 1969, challenging Seiko's Reference 6139 and Project 99's Caliber 11 for the title of world's first automatic chronograph.  The advent of the automatic chronograph was a huge technological feat and it changed the face of the industry, opening the door for many companies to offer their own models.  But while the Caliber 11 found its way into a slew of watches, Zenith made their \u003cem\u003eEl Primero\u003c\/em\u003e movements available to only \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/shop.analogshift.com\/collections\/movado\/products\/movado-datron-chronograph\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ea handful of other manufactures\u003c\/a\u003e.  And for good reason.  Of the three movements that were released that year, only the \u003cem\u003eEl Primero\u003c\/em\u003e was high-beat, offering significant added accuracy, a feature that Zenith was careful to let go of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many years, the words \u003ci\u003eEl Primero\u003c\/i\u003e held little meaning outside of high-intensity watch enthusiast and collectors groups.  But a few year ago, Zenith brought those words back into the fore with the release of their heritage piece, the El Primero Striking Tenth chronograph.  The piece was a success in it's own right and got \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.hodinkee.com\/articles\/a-week-on-the-wrist-the-zenith-el-primero-striking-tenth-chr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ea lot of attention in industry publications\u003c\/a\u003e.  But it also marshaled the growing body of watch enthusiasts, urging them to look back at the history of the movement and the pieces produced around the legendary movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zenith A386 was the first model to be fitted with the \u003cem\u003eEl Primero\u003c\/em\u003e movement and commands a hefty premium among collectors for its horological import.  Subsequent to the A386 was the A385, which dawned in the mid 1970s.  Where the A386 was hallmarked by its three different-colored sub-registers, the A385 was known for its fumé, or smoke, dial - a gorgeous light brown gradient coloration.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny of these vintage Zeniths are hard to find in unmolested condition today, but good A385s are especially difficult to uncover.  This particular A385 is in good overall condition, with a nicely patinated dial and the lauded Gay Freres 'Ladder' bracelet in tow. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you've had your ear to the ground for a vintage \u003cem\u003eEl Primero, \u003c\/em\u003elook no further.  This one is sure to go in a flash.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zenith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":18809403841,"sku":null,"price":6000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/Zenith_8385_El_Primero_AS01520_1.jpg?v=1463419720","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/zenith-el-primero-as01520","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}