BACK TO THE 70s
The watchmaker from Le Locle gives a new lease of life through a limited edition to one of the chronographs most-sought-after by collectors for its unique adornments and, of course, for its high-frequency motor.
With this reissue of the 1971 A3817 as a 1,000-piece limited series, Zenith invites once again to discover or rediscover a model which forged the legend of the El Primero caliber. The Chronomaster Revival A3817 as such takes on the same tonneau-shaped steel and 37 mm diameter. Incidentally, as well as reiterating the original size, this model also takes on the original finishes. We also discover the small seconds and the two totalizers colored in gray and blue dedicated to measuring time displayed on a white lacquered dial. The direct-drive stands out perfectly with its red hue. The hour and minute hands as well as the indexes are coated with beige Super-LumiNova®. All hover over a seconds graduated scale boasting a pyramid-shaped pattern nicknamed “shark tooth”, which offers excellent readability. The ensemble is moreover encircled by a tachymetric scale set on the black flange. Along the case-middle, a duo of piston-shaped pushers triggers the chronograph functions.
The time data is all orchestrated by the iconic selfwinding El Primero 400 movement still beating at 36,000 vibrations an hour. Once fully wound, it delivers a power reserve of 50 hours. Some of its components can be admired through the sapphire-crystal caseback.
To boost the vintage look of the Chronomaster Revival A3817 even more, the watch is complemented by a steel “ladder” bracelet, an up-to-the-minute remake of Gay Frères bracelets, or by a light brown calfskin strap.
Price: CHF8,400 zenith.com
By Dan Diaconu