Zenith’s A3818 was introduced in 1971 and produced for a brief period in limited quantities. This model was a variation of the tonneau-shaped reference A385, worn on a ladder-style bracelet crafted by the legendary bracelet maker Gay Frères. It earned the nickname Cover Girl among collectors after appearing on the cover of Manfred Rössler’s book Zenith: Swiss Watch Manufacture Since 1865. The original A3818 is one of the most sought-after El Primero references ever made.
Inspired by this legacy, Zenith teamed up with Revolution Watch magazine to revive the A3818, starting with a steel model in 2020 and a titanium version in 2022. Today, in celebration of Revolution’s 20th anniversary, the Cover Girl is back lighter than ever. Crafted from carbon fiber, the 37-mm Zenith Chronomaster Revival A3818 Cover Girl Carbon weighs a mere 55 grams (case and bracelet). The dial, also crafted from carbon, features black-and-white subdials surrounded by the A3818’s distinctive ‘shark tooth’ second track, paired with both tachymeter and pulsometer scales. The pulsometer scale spans the first 15 seconds, while the tachymeter indications are read over the remaining 45 seconds. Zenith’s El Primero 400 calibre powers the watch and is visible through the exhibition caseback.
The A3818 Cover Girl Carbon is available in three distinct versions. The first, in a limited edition of 150 pieces, features baton hour markers on the black carbon dial ($13,400.00). The second, limited to 50 units, sports Hindu-Arabic numerals. Both editions come with two straps: a black ‘carbon-effect’ Velcro strap and a black embossed ‘ladder-effect’ calfskin strap. The third and most exclusive version is limited to just 10 pieces. It combines a baton-hour-marker dial with the iconic Gay Frères ladder bracelet, crafted for the very first time in carbon composite.
Chronomaster Revival Cover Girl Carbon ($13,400.00) – zenith-watches.com
