#ZENITH CHRONOMASTER GT SERIAL#
#ZENITH CHRONOMASTER GT PROFESSIONAL#

The 3 o’clock sub-dial counts seconds once the chronograph is running (you can watch it hit ten seconds when the red hand makes its way around once).

The 9 o’clock sub-dial shows running seconds. Weird, huh? Well, few have made a big deal about this, but here’s the explanation. A closer look at those sub-registers on the Zenith Chronomaster Original reveals that they all count up to 60. I have to admit that I initially slipped by, or slept through, a really important detail on this watch and the aforementioned Chronomaster Sport. When a movement is a difference-maker for good or bad That’s right, this watch allows you to measure down to that precise a level. If you’re used to seeing a tachymeter scale on the periphery, look again and see 1/10 of a second scale. This also forces another visual distinction. Firing up the chronograph causes the red central hand to traverse the dial every 10 seconds. This is a 35 jewel automatic with 60 hours of power reserve that has a bit of a party trick in its bag. The Zenith Chronomaster Original uses the caliber 3600 movement that debuted, in mass production form, on the Chronomaster Sport that was released earlier this year. Now, a word about the movement because this is where things become demonstrably different from the original A386 and even the recent limited edition anniversary pieces. Understandably, the frequency receives top billing. In addition to the return of the script work, the verbiage is also a bit different on the dial. This results in an overall look that’s just a tad less sporty. Notably, the red central hand lacks a rectangular lumed pip. In replacing the El Primero 1969, Zenith chose to go back to more traditional capped pushers and they’ve thankfully brought back the script “El Primero.” The hallmark date window at 4:30 with its little scale also makes the cut. Thickness is a reasonable 12.6mm, lug width is faithful to the original at 19mm and lug to lug is somewhere around 47mm. All the right dimensions are here and that means a 38mm stainless or rose gold case with 50 meters of water resistance and a domed, albeit sapphire, crystal.

#ZENITH CHRONOMASTER GT SERIAL#

Would Zenith risk angering those loyal customers with a serial production copy? Thankfully, Zenith did just enough to differentiate.įirst glances at the Zenith Chronomaster Original translate to an exact copy of the original A386. Plus, in steel (shown above on the right) and with the original dial colors, only 50 were made as part of a three-watch set for CHF 50k. We knew something was coming to replace its Chronomaster El Primero 1969, but would it be a faithful reissue of the original models? I debated this with friends because Zenith had just wrapped up several years of limited-edition A386 anniversary tributes. Before the release, Zenith teased us a bit on their Instagram account. The Zenith Chronomaster Original line is here and not a moment too soon in my view. It took over 50 years, but finally, yes finally, we get a nearly spot-on modern A386. The Zenith Chronomaster Original is finally here Finally, this all changes with the new Zenith Chronomaster Original.

Aside from some limited editions and modern takes, people haven’t been able to buy the most iconic Zenith of them all for almost 50 years. So, just imagine that Zenith pulled the plug forever after a few short years and around 4,500 watches. The A386 shown above contained gray and blue sub-registers that have since become a telltale Zenith sign. All are revered, but one model stands above the rest. In 1969, Zenith introduced its high beat (36,000vph) El Primero chronograph and put it into three distinct models. Now, shift to Zenith, and while space exploration isn’t a part of the brand’s backstory, taking part in the race to make the first automatic chronograph is perhaps the most notable topic. A ritual like this has been going on since the late 1960s because this is the legendary watch most associate with Omega.

#ZENITH CHRONOMASTER GT PROFESSIONAL#

The Speedmaster Professional is the watch that will find its way to this buyer’s wrist. He or she casually browses the display cases, but, meanwhile, this person knows exactly what they want. So, a person walks into the local Omega AD or boutique. I took some time to gather my thoughts on what has quickly become one of my favorite 2021 releases. It’s been more than a week since the new Zenith Chronomaster Original dropped.

Zenith chronomaster gt