Tricolore
Zenith El Primero
Quick facts
Brand: Zenith
Model: El Primero
Reference: A3817
Year: 1971
Case: Stainless steel, 37mm
Caliber: 3019 PHC, automatic
What about it
The A3817 emerged as a timepiece that bridged both universes by combining the winning elements of the sporty A384 and the classic A386.
In 1971, the A3817 stood out as an exception. It merged the sporty steel tonneau-shaped case, reminiscent of the earliest steel El Primero references, with the remarkable tri-color dial found on the A386. This fusion resulted in a distinctive and captivating aesthetic that continues to captivate vintage chronograph enthusiasts.
With only 1000 units ever produced, the A3817 remains one of the most distinguished, elusive, and highly sought-after references among the early El Primero timepieces.
Zenith initiated the El Primero story with its most iconic watch, the A386, in 1969. From a design perspective, it perfectly embodied the essence of the new design era of the 1970s - a bold and masculine sporty chronograph adorned with a vibrant tri-color palette. Additionally, in 1969, Zenith introduced the angled tonneau-shaped watchcase that became prominent in models like the A384, A385, A3817, and A3818.
37
Diametermm
19
Lug widthmm
36000
Frequencyvph
50
Power h
Sapphire
Crystal
El Primero 3019 PHC movement
On January 10th, 1969, Zenith introduced the first-ever automatic chronograph calibre, the 3019 PHC. Also that same year, Zenith, Movado, and Mondia formed a consortium, with Movado promoting the movement under the name Datron HS 360. This release gave Zenith a competitive edge. The calibre 3019 PHC (with "30" representing the movement's diameter, "1" indicating its sequence in this size category, "9" denoting it as a chronograph, and "PHC" standing for perpetual, hour counting, and calendar) boasted impressive features, especially when compared to the rival Calibre 11 Chronomatic, which was launched shortly after by Breitling, Hamilton-Büren, Dubois-Dépraz, and Heuer-Leonidas.
Tri-colour dial
The backstory of the famous tri-color dial is often a subject of curiosity and debate among watch enthusiasts. However, the precise historical origins or the detailed story behind its creation might be challenging to pinpoint.
The hallmark of this distinctive dial lies in its overlapping triple subdials, forming an unorthodox layout. Positioned at 9 o'clock, you typically find a standard running seconds subdial, while at 6 o'clock, there's a 12-hour chronograph register. And the 30-minute register sits at 3 o'clock. THe date is positioned at 4:30. Some hate it, I like it! The distinctive 1/5th of a second shark-tooth pattern is an intriguing feature often observed on these dials. This pattern was also utilized in Zenith's AutoSport model.
Similar
A385
© Zenith Watches
A386
© Zenith Watches
Market
Availability: rare
Few watches on sale
Pricing: 10,000 - 17,000+ €
(Dec 2023)
Check availability on Chrono24
References
Could not source any articles about vintage model, so here we have articles about revival, but they talk about history too.
Related
