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Both aesthetically and mechanically speaking, it was a wholly unique chrono! On January 10th, 1969, Zenith introduced the world’s first automatic chronograph caliber, the 3019 PHC El Primero, beating Seiko and the Chronomatic group (a joint venture between Breitling, Heuer, Hamilton, and Büren) in the competition to produce the world’s first automatic chronograph.
Powered by the ingenious Calibre 3019 PHC, the A386 was born an immediate classic with its instantly recognizable tri-color overlapping subdials, eye-catching red sweep second hand, and its original and distinctive “ladder style” bracelet. Additionally, the legendary Zenith caliber 3019 PHC movement would go on to become the base movement for many other important automatic chronographs — including the incredible sought-after Rolex “Zenith” Daytona.
It’s no overstatement to say that the Zenith El Primero ref. A386 is one of the most horologically significant chronographs to have come from the @Zenith Watches brand and one of the most important chronographs of all time.
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