The 50th birthday of the Zenith El Primero might be this year’s biggest horological anniversary. The amazing movement and the replica watch that introduced it to the world – the A386 – changed the game totally back in 1969. Of course, there were other automatic chronographs unveiled that year, but the fake zeniths were the only ones to feature a top-speed 5 Hz (36,000 vph) escapement for better accuracy and precision. It has gone on to become one of the most storied movements of the 20th century and, despite briefly going out of manufacture, it’s been mainstream in Zenith’s arsenal for almost its whole lifespan. 
The main question was how Zenith would celebrate such a great anniversary. Back in January, they showed us a box set of El Primeros that shows off the various incarnations of the movement from over the years, but fans have anxiously been awaiting that particular standalone anniversary piece. What Zenith is giving us is the El Primero A386 Revival, a faithful recreation of the replica watch that started it all, only rendered in a trio of precious metals. The A386 Revival still measures up at 38mm across, still features a classic 5 Hz El Primero movement, and still has that distinctive tri-color dial. It’s a quintessential El Primero through and through, just in a slightly more luxurious package. Each version is limited to just 50 pieces and they are going to be sold individually, not as a three-piece set.
In the past few days, one of the conundrums facing replica Zenith fans was an odd one: What would Zenith do to celebrate and commemorate the original El Primero since it already makes an almost same watch and has for years. Actually, the answer was even not so complicated to the question. Zenith made the watch as you have expected, but only they did it in precious metals and very, very limited quantities. To be honest, I’m shocked that this watch is being made in 50 pieces per metal and not 500. The El Primero is a very popular watch and before you can finish reading this sentence, I’ve got to imagine that 150 pieces will be spoken for.
Now, I am getting more and more interested in these best replica watches. That tri-colored dial has always struck me as one of the smarter and more subtle uses of color in watch design and the bold black inner track gives the watch some extra glamour. I was really convinced that I would prefer a slightly grittier dial with the yellow and rose gold versions, but the white gold Revival is a total sleeper hit. Even looking straight at it, I don’t think most people will be able to tell that it isn’t a steel fake watch. Only by wearing it or picking it up and feeling the heft would you know. I am confident to say that this is the real one I dream of getting onto my wrist sooner rather than later.