I'd have to agree with all that expected a T-dial - after all, 1967-1971 is already well into the Tritium era.
However the romantic in me wants to give Z茅nith's story a chance, as remote as it may be... .
Looking at Rolex - a popular reference, given that they changed their dials for each "event":
1963-1964 was a transitional period where some dials were already lumed with Tritium but still printed with the original "Swiss" text.
1964~1997 various references were rolled out with the new "T-Swiss-T" and/or "Swiss - T <25"
1998~2000 with the advent of Super-Luminova Rolex went back to "Swiss" text until roughly
2000~2001 when they switched to "Swiss Made".
As all of you know, Team Z茅nith-Martel began their Automatic-Chronograph project in 1960 with the intention of making it to market in time for Z茅nith's Centenary in 1965. The dial was certainly not the project's first priority but there is a (slight) chance that prototype dials were already being produced
during the Tritium transition period...
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Regarding Z茅nith's pre-tritium era; I know literally nothing apart from seeing (images of) calibre-133 powered watches from the 50s with "Swiss Made" on the dial, as well as "Swiss" only (unlike Rolex).
So just like most of you, I would have expected to see a T-dial but the timeline could indeed justify a transitional prototype dial.
If anyone can dispel this romantic notion of mine (due to the use of "modern" font / typeface vs. pre-60s etc.) well then by all means, I'm always ready to learn something new
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Yeah, T is missing on the dial..... i don't buy the story but i must admit the watch looks great !!! I have the feeling they relaized they made a mistake by making only 50 A386 re-issue. As they had a lot of demand, they made this one as they could not make the exact same dial
... Maybe I'm a little naive but I believe the origin story. I've never seen or read about any other El Primero prototype dials but I have to believe there should have been some. It doesn't seem so contrived that a prototype dial might not have the "T" in swiss made. Given that the T indication for tritium was a regulatory requirement, wouldn't it be an easy way to make sure the prototype dials didn't end up in a final product? It seems more contrived that Zenith would make this dial and some variations, faux-age them, and then make up this story...
All the best for 2022!
-wise
& the A386ME for Xmas
