Introducing Zenith Unveils the Chronomaster Original with a Blue Dial

Few timepieces have been as influential and iconic as the Zenith A386, one of the first watches to feature the revolutionary El Primero calibre in 1969. More than a mere remake, the modern Chronomaster Original preserves the timeless design of its predecessor while integrating a high-performance, 21st-century version of the El Primero movement, capable of measuring time to 1/10th of a second. Now, for the very first time, the Chronomaster Original pairs a striking blue dial with the emblematic tricolour subdials, a signature of Zenith’s chronographs since 1969, offering a bold new expression of the original A386’s design language.

The compact 38mm stainless steel case is a faithful reproduction of the iconic 1969 reference A386. Modeled directly from the original blueprints, it features a round, bezel-less design with pump-style pushers, a sloped profile, and faceted lugs. The dynamic silhouette is brought to life through a combination of radial-brushed and polished surfaces. The case thickness is 12.9mm, including the domed sapphire crystal. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters.

The sunray-brushed blue dial offers a fresh take on a classic design, blending timeless elegance with a modern edge. The emblematic overlapping registers of the original El Primero Ref. A386 remain faithful to the historic grey, dark grey, and blue color scheme. A silver-toned 1/10th of a second chapter ring adds contrast and enhances legibility. 

Baton-style applied hour markers and hands complete the layout, along with a discreet trapezoid date window at 4:30. The red central chronograph seconds hand completes a full rotation every 10 seconds, allowing the watch to record 1/10th of a second intervals with precision.

The three snailed subdials each display a different function in a distinct color: the small seconds indicator sits in the light grey subdial at 9 o’clock, the 60-minute counter is in the dark grey subdial at 6 o’clock, and the blue subdial at 3 o’clock measures elapsed seconds.

At the heart of the watch beats the El Primero 3600, a modern evolution of Zenith’s legendary automatic chronograph movement. Operating at 5 Hz, it enables precise timing to the tenth of a second, made possible by the central chronograph hand completing one revolution every 10 seconds. The movement features a stop-seconds mechanism and an extended 60-hour power reserve. Visible through the sapphire case back, the movement showcases a column wheel and an open rotor decorated with Zenith’s signature five-pointed star.

The Chronomaster Original Blue is offered with two strap options: a blue calfskin leather strap that complements the dial and is secured by a stainless steel folding clasp, or a three-link stainless steel bracelet fitted with a robust folding clasp.

The Chronomaster Original Blue joins Zenith’s permanent collection, priced at CHF 9,900, approximately AED 45,500.

For more information visit Zenith official website.