ZENITH, STEEL "TROPICAL PANDA" EL PRIMERO CHRONOGRAPH, REF. A 384

Launched in 1969, El Primero (Spanish for the first) is regarded still today as one of the best and most accurate chronograph movements ever created. Part of a trilogy of automatic chronograph calibres introduced that year, along with Calibre 11 and Seiko's cal. 6139, it is the only one still in production to date.

The very first watches fitted with this revolutionary movement were the chronograph references A384, A385 and A386.

In production only between 1969 and 1971, A384, such as the present example, is distinguished by its tonneau-shaped case, typical design of watches from the period. The easily recognisable and highly popular shape has made the A384 a popular base for a variety of limited editions, including one based on a fictitious watch featured in the Japanese manga Lupin III.

The A384 offered here for sale is preserved in excellent overall condition. Its most notable feature are the "tropical" registers and outer scale, the colour having changed over time from black to an uniform chocolate brown tone, perfectly harmonizing with the ivory-coloured dial.

The case and crown feature the star symbols, correct for the period and model. The inside case back is engraved SP 1301, referring to the renowned casemaker Spillmann and case reference, supplier also of cases for other El Primero models of the period.