Rightfully, Zenith began with what is just its most iconic watch – the A386 – which I’ve at all times felt, from a design standpoint, properly bridged the late ’60s and early ’70s. It is a classically spherical chronograph with pump pushers and a dial with a flamboyant tri-color palate. Additionally in 1969, Zenith debuted a second case form, its angled tonneau, which feels rather more anticipatory of the 1970s that have been to come back. That is the tonneau-shaped watchcase seen within the A384, and A385, and later within the A3817 and A3818 “Cowl Lady.” In response to Manfred Rössler’s e-book Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865, there have been 2,600 examples of the A384 produced from 1969 to 1971. Simply taking a look at this case form, you possibly can see how it will encourage Zenith’s Defy line.
