This is the Zenith El Primero A384. A brand that is synonymous with one of the best regarded chronographs of all time, Zenith was founded in Le Locle by Georges Favre-Jacot in 1865. Renowned for producing highly accurate movements, Zenith was the winner of the Grand Prix Chronometry Award in 1900 before going on to produce the famed Calibre 135 which won the Neuchâtel Observatory’s chronometry awards for five consecutive years.

Zenith's most notable contribution to watchmaking came in the form of a self-winding mechanical chronograph known as the El Primero. Featuring a balance frequency of 36,600 vph, the highly efficient column-wheel chronograph was unprecedented for its time. Introduced publicly for the first time in 1969 ahead of its competitors, the El Primero powered several important references such as the A385, A386 and the aforementioned A384 among others.

Characterized by the tonneau shaped case and ladder-style Gay Freres bracelet, the A384 was considered quirky for its time in comparison to its siblings as the A385 and A386 which were more conventionally shaped. The first reference to house the all-important movement, the A384 and its peers were discontinued in favour of quartz watches during the Quartz Crisis.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the El Primero in 2019, the A384 was reproduced during the brand's celebratory Revival series and has become a mainstay in Zenith's modern lineup. With a total production of approximately 2,600 pieces, the original A384 has become a cult favourite among vintage Zenith collectors for its crucial part in the brand's storied history.