Introduced in 1969, the Zenith El Primero A386 marked a genuine turning point in watchmaking: the world’s first automatic chronograph, driven by the high-beat calibre 3019 PHC. Its tricolour sub-dials, red chronograph hand and integrated ‘ladder’ bracelet gave it an identity unlike anything else on the market at the time, and it remains, to this day, the reference against which every vintage automatic chronograph is measured.

This example is a Mark 3 and presents as a fully coeval and correctly matched piece. The dial is the desirable ‘A under H’ variant, showing a lovely and even patina that has developed gracefully over the decades. The case remains in excellent condition, with the correct ‘Star’ caseback for this production batch, the original ‘large circle’ crown, and the elongated-C tachymeter scale correct to the reference. The sub-register hands are the thick type, correct to this dial configuration.

The watch is fitted with its original Gay Frères ‘ladder’ bracelet, complete with the correct ‘ZJ’ end links and still showing excellent tension on the wrist, an important detail on these vintage models. The bracelet is stamped to the first quarter of 1972, consistent with an early, coeval set-up.

It is further accompanied by its original red Zenith box and outer box, and has been recently serviced in January 2026.

A rare opportunity to acquire a fully coeval Zenith A386 Mark 3, correct in every component from case to bracelet, and ready to be enjoyed on the wrist.

Case: MK3 execution Caseback: Star Dial: A under H Crown: Large circle Tachymeter scale: Elongated C Hands: Correct MK3 execution Register hands: Thick register hands Bracelet: Original Gay Frères “ladder” bracelet End links: ZJ Clasp: Dated to the first quarter of 1972