COVER GIRL
This reference, which became an icon with its ever-so one-of-a-kind stylistics, is back in the watchmaking limelight with the creation of this limited 100-piece edition.
In 2019, Zenith celebrated the 50th anniversary of its famous El Primero, the first self-winding mechanical movement capable of measuring short-cycle time to 1/10th of a second. Since then, the manufacture has been drawing from its rich past and now breathes life into re-editions of timepieces hosting this caliber and invites us to discover limited series. With its A3818 Revival model, the Locle-based watchmakers whisk us back to 1971. The original watch, nicknamed Cover Girl thanks to the publication of a book in 2009 dedicated to Zenith’s history where it featured on the cover, was only produced in 1,000 pieces and is highly-sought after by collectors. The reason for this? Although the dial features tri-compax-positioned counters, the red central direct-drive and tachymetric scale around the edge, it actually stood out from other models which were fashionable at the time through its blue nuances. Moreover, the small seconds and totalizers adorn gray and black instead of the traditional vibrant hues we would expect.
For this 100-piece limited series, Zenith has kept the adornments of the 1969 37 mm-diameter satin-brushed-finished steel case and the pump-shaped pushers. Yet, a few differences are worth noting. The hands and indexes now coated with Super-Luminova® are driven by the El Primero 400 which delivers a power reserve of 50 hours. A sapphire-crystal caseback also invites to admire the oscillating weight stamped with the brand’s star.
To boost its sporty style even more, the A3818 Revival is complemented by a ladder-type steel bracelet with spaced links.
Price: CHF7,900 zenith.com
By Dan Diaconu