Zenith has unveiled the latest timepiece in the “Revival” collection with the release of the A385 Revival timepiece. Faithful to the original 1969 model, the A385 Revival timepiece has a lot of the same characteristics with modern updates being integrated with. This new watch comes after the brand’s release of the A384 Revival piece, which was adored by watch fans all over. The A384 and A385 share the same specs as did the originals back in 1969.
As the story goes, the A385 timepiece was released alongside the A384 and A386 chronograph models. These models were the first in Zenith’s collection of watches to use the famous El Primero movement. The A385 made headlines in 1970 when it took part in Zenith’s “Operation Sky”. This event was an extreme test which consisted of strapping the timepiece to an Air France Boeing 707’s landing gear and made the flight from Paris to New York. During this flight, the timepiece’s resistance to external aggression such as drastic temperature fluctuations, wind force and changing air pressure were heavily tested. This incredible feat showcases the confidence the design and engineering team behind the El Primero movement at the A385 timepiece, while also showing that mechanical pieces were far superior to quartz as the mechanical watches can withstand heavy temperature differences.
Now, Zenith has revisited the past to bring the second model to feature this iconic movement upon its release. The A385 timepiece is very similar to the A384, with the main difference being the beautiful smoked brown gradient dial.
The A385 Revival comes in a 37mm tonneau-shaped steel case as per the original 1969 design. The beautiful smoked brown gradient dial is complemented nicely with the three white sub-counters at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. These have all been done to be faithful to the original design, with the Revival even having the red chronograph seconds hand as well. The date window between 4 and 5 o’clock has been retained as well. The only slight adjustment from the original in what we can see is that the outer part of the dial where the tachymeter is has a more blackened effect. This is due to the dial having a vignette effect which makes it become darker towards the outer ring of the dial. This certainly helps distinguish the tachymeter scale as there is much better contrast compared to the original 1969 model.
The movement behind this timepiece is the El Primero 400 automatic caliber. With a thickness of just 6.6mm, this thin movement has a total of 278 components and produces a frequency of 36,000 VpH (5Hz). The same movement used on the A384 revival, the El Primero 400 automatic caliber can give out a power reserve of approximately 50 hours.
The A385 Revival comes in the same modern ladder bracelet update that the A384 Revival was given. Both original A384 and A385 came with the ladder-style bracelet, which upon its release at the time was iconic. The A385 Revival also comes in a brown leather strap, which complements the dial very nicely. This latest addition to Zenith’s Revival collection with its beautiful khaki dial is sure to be loved by watch aficionados as much as the A384 revival was.
Zenith Chronomaster Revival A385 Specification:
Model Reference: 03.A384.400/385.C855 (With Light Brown Calf Leather Strap) and 03.A384.400/385.M385 (“Ladder” bracelet with stainless steel double folding clasp)
Case Diameter: 37mm – Stainless Steel
Dial: Smoked brown gradient dial with white-coloured counters
Case-back: Transparent Sapphire Crystal
Movement: El Primero 400 Automatic
Power Reserve: Min. 50 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes and chronograph. Small seconds at 9 o’clock, Tachymetric scale and date
Water Resistance: 5 ATM / 50 meters
