The Revival was true to the original in its form, and each additional model has followed suit, including the A384 which also came in 2019. This watch uses a more traditional round case with the iconic tri-tone overlapping registers dominating the dial. The Revival series kicked off in 2019 with Zentih celebrating the 50th anniversary of the El Primero, beginning with the A386.

The A384 and A386 weren’t short on drama, either, but the A385 hit differently, embracing its era with confidence.

The A385 was perhaps the most dramatic of the bunch, boasting a smoked brown gradient dial under pure white registers. The trio pays homage to the original references of the same names first released in 1969, featuring Zenith’s El Primero in the push to release the first automatic chronograph alongside Seiko and Heuer/Buren/Brietling/et al. In photo at least, the dial colour appears more caramel than the original, which has more grey undertones.Prior to the big reveal of their all-new Chronomaster Sport, Zenith quietly revealed the A385, the third reference of the Revival series, joining the A384 and A386. Perhaps the most striking amongst El Primero remakes, the dial is similarly faithful to the original, though not quite identical. The crystal is now scratch-resistant sapphire, while the case back has a porthole in the centre to show off the movement – the El Primero 400, a gently upgraded version of the original launched in 1969. Zenith got most of the details right, though the watch has a modern presence with a solid construction and neater finishing. The 37 mm case of the A385 is practically identical to the original, right down to the radial brushed finish on the front. Zenith has become proficient in faithful vintage remakes, partly by relying on technical drawings for the vintage originals. Not only does the bracelet replicate the look, it is also lightweight and slightly dinky, as the original was. And for an additional US$500 you get a steel bracelet modelled on the vintage “ladder” bracelet made by Gay Frères that is synonymous with the vintage El Primero. Starting at US$7,700 for the version on a strap, the A385 is in line with Zenith’s other El Primero chronographs, which are honestly-priced in the first place. The remake has a graduated, coffee-coloured dial with a deliciously warm character

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