103rd Auction
2020/11/7
Lot 188
Zenith, Le Locle, Swiss, "Chronograph Automatic El Primero", Case No. 861D774, Ref. A386, Cal. 3019 PHC, 37 mm, circa 1971
A legendary vintage automatic wrist chronograph with date and tachy scale - with original box
Case: steel, screw back with dedication engraving, additional folded Zenith/Gay Frères steel bracelet, stamped 2/71, bracelet length 155 mm, total length 190 mm. Dial: silvered, sub dials in various gray scales, inner ring with scale 1-100.
Only 4,500 of this Zenith "Chronograph Automatic El Primero" reference A386 were produced between 1969 and 1972; the design of the case back changed earch year. The watch was fitted with the novel calibre 3019 PHC and certainly one of that prestigious range of very first automatic chronographs.
The 37 mm steel case has a few minor signs of wear and features large chronograph pushers and the original, typical fluted Zenith crown. The three-colour dial is in marvelous condition and has a red paddle chronograph hand, which was very popular with Zenith El Primero watches at the time. Inside sits the legendary El Primero 3019 PHC high-beat calibre Zenith launched in 1969 as one of the first ever automatic chronograph movement, thus laying the foundation for the El Primero range of movements. The automatic movement beats at 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing a measurement accurate to one tenth of a second and making the El Primero the most accurate serial production watch movement in the world to this day.
A legendary vintage automatic wrist chronograph with date and tachy scale - with original box
Case: steel, screw back with dedication engraving, additional folded Zenith/Gay Frères steel bracelet, stamped 2/71, bracelet length 155 mm, total length 190 mm. Dial: silvered, sub dials in various gray scales, inner ring with scale 1-100.
Only 4,500 of this Zenith "Chronograph Automatic El Primero" reference A386 were produced between 1969 and 1972; the design of the case back changed earch year. The watch was fitted with the novel calibre 3019 PHC and certainly one of that prestigious range of very first automatic chronographs.
The 37 mm steel case has a few minor signs of wear and features large chronograph pushers and the original, typical fluted Zenith crown. The three-colour dial is in marvelous condition and has a red paddle chronograph hand, which was very popular with Zenith El Primero watches at the time. Inside sits the legendary El Primero 3019 PHC high-beat calibre Zenith launched in 1969 as one of the first ever automatic chronograph movement, thus laying the foundation for the El Primero range of movements. The automatic movement beats at 36,000 vibrations per hour, allowing a measurement accurate to one tenth of a second and making the El Primero the most accurate serial production watch movement in the world to this day.
Sold
estimated
9.000—13.000 €
Price realized
9.400 €