Recently, I spent A Week On The Wrist with the TAG Heuer Carrera “Glassbox.” Classically inspired, 39mm, and just $6,450, it feels like a solid alternative to the Chronomaster Original at MSRP, as do a number of other lower-priced, heritage-inspired chronographs I mention in that article. Of course, every one of these competes with the tried-and-true “just buy a Moonwatch” advice. While competing manufacturer calibers like the TAG Heuer TH20-00 or Breitling B01 offer strong specs, the El Primero 3600 has the horsepower and lineage to hold its own, even if the competition is stiffer than when it was released just two years ago. After spending a few days with the new Chronomaster Original, the pure joy of watching that chronograph hand zip around the dial every 10 seconds never ended.
Like the A386, it’s that cutting-edge watchmaking, combined with classic look, that keeps me coming back to the El Primero.