![]() ![]() The A385's resemblance to its namesake is frankly uncanny from almost any angle (with the exception of a view of its case back, which is transparent, to show the movement ticking away inside). And though it's hand-wound, Omega's newest 3861-powered Speedmaster Professional (another watch first launched decades ago) is a solid alternative, especially at it's new pricing of $6,300-$7,150 on a redesigned bracelet. (Originally powered by the Caliber 11, the Monaco was another of the world's first automatic chronographs). If you're looking for another automatic alternative closer to the A385's price, the 39mm TAG Heuer Monaco ($6,350-$6,750) comes to mind. If you want to stay with a Zenith product but prefer a newer design, you could do worse than the new Chronomaster Sport ($9,500-$10,000), though you're going to pay quite a premium for a watch meant to compete with the Rolex Daytona. At $7,900 on leather or $8,400 on a strap, it's certainly not inexpensive, but given today's luxury market and the truly special timekeeping technology powering the watch, such numbers are to be expected. Whether you're a Zenith devotee or you simply love the watch's funky tonneau case or interesting dial, the new A835 remains an attractive proposition. (There are some differences, which we'll get to in a moment.) Who It's For Given its dimensions (37mm, just like its namesake), brown fumé dial and ladder bracelet, it would be tough to tell the watch apart from the original at more than a foot or two away. The A835 is absolutely a vintage throwback to the original, hence the full name: the Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero A385. The A385 was unique, however, for its brown fumé dial, which fades in intensity from the rim to the center of the watch. When El Primero-based watches were first released, customers could choose from several case shapes and dial designs, among which was the tonneau-cased A384 and A385, and the more conventionally round A386. Zenith was one of the companies at the fore of this race, hence the name of their now 52-year-old automatic caliber, the El Primero. (I also wasn't alive in 1969, but that's neither here nor there.) If, however, you're a weirdo watch nut like I am, you probably also think of the race to develop the first automatic chronograph movement. If you were alive in 1969, the year probably recalls significant cultural and sociopolitical events, such as Woodstock and the Vietnam War. Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero A385, $7,900-$8,400 ![]()
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