Singapore-based Revolution Watch recently released a re-issue of the iconic Zenith El Primero A3818. Limited to just 100 pieces and priced at $8,100, the revival watch sold out within days of its release.
The Revolution x Zenith release has placed a new spotlight on the A3818, what was already a popular and iconic reference among vintage collectors.
As Revolution wrote in its post announcing the revival A3818’s release:
Among emblematic sports chronographs that have seen the light of day since the birth of the watch industry, there is only one timepiece bestowed with a sobriquet that inflames the desire of men to such an extreme — that is, of course, Zenith’s legendary El Primero Ref. A3818, otherwise known as the “Cover Girl”, thanks to its appearance on the front of Manfred Rössler’s book Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865.
As I mention on our Resources Page, Rossler’s book is the definitive work on Zenith, so to be the watch on its cover is quite the honor. In its announcement post, Revolution goes on to say that vintage reference A3818 models can reach prices of $20,000 — that is, when you can find them.
The watch is iconic not only for its “Cover Girl” status, but also because of its construction: in addition to the angular, tonneau-shaped case, inside ticks Zenith’s automatic 3019 movement, beating at a speedy 36,000 bph, truly ahead of its time. Of course, the beautiful blue dial steals the show, with its striations that catch the light in magnificent and varying ways. Towards the outer edge of the dial, you’ll see another of the El Primero A3818’s unique features: 300 lines of uneven length that form a shark-tooth shape, allowing wearers to read the chronograph seconds to a precise one-tenth of a second.
Why did Rossler choose it for the cover? Not for its rarity or historical significance, according to the author himself: “The beautiful blue colour led to this decision. I like blue dials.” Simple enough.
We thought it’d be fun to round up a few examples that have changed hands publicly over the past couple years.
Zenith A3818: Historic sales
Antiquorum
Production of the original El Primero reference A3818 is estimated at just 1,000 pieces. As Revolution’s post about its A3818 reissue alludes to, vintage examples of these El Primero references are difficult to find, and when they do come up for sale, they often change hands in private sales.
February 2019: Menta Watches, $7,900 (Omega Forums discussion regarding condition with link to eBay posting)
December 2018: Christie’s, $13,750
May 2018: Antiquorum, $16,250
September 2017: Hodinkee Shop, $10,600
May 2016: Phillips, $13,750
March 2016: Omega Forums, last listed for $9,900
Other dealers and sellers that look to have sold examples of the reference A3818 (but no longer have prices listed on their site) include:
As always, I’m not endorsing any of these examples, but merely aggregating links and information to make research for others interested in the reference A3818 easier.