I’ve found when choosing a watch to spend some serious time with, that the old fashioned approaching to dating works best. It’s easy to do some research to find a perfect match for all the “vital statistics” you think you want and need, but nothing’s better than when your heart skips a beat at first sight – That’s what the Zenith A3736 Chronograph did for me.

Born in the late 60s, just before the world of chronographs was about to be transformed by automatic movements, Zenith released a range of “Super Sub Sea’s” with the wonderful 146hp triple register movement. With 3* base variants to choose from, all the colour options are wonderful. It’s this grey dial version that’s the most common, and my favourite, and there’s so much to love! A big 40mm case for the period, an extra crown for its internal rotating dive bezel and generous flashes of orange behind the high domed crystal. For me at least, there is no other watch that so effortlessly blends real rugged toolwatch utility with genuine 1960’s eye-catching glamour.

The wonderful Gay Freres ladder bracelet dates mine to 1969 and is both a joy to wear and sits beautifully between the lugs of the oversized “Camaro” style case, it’s a perfect complement for the colours on that divine dial. I’ve loved tool watches since admiring my fathers Nivada CASD as a kid, and I wear one most days, but when this Zenith goes on my wrist, There’s some extra magic.

My theory is that these stunning and unique looks were born out of a time of experimentation at Zenith while they were creating their wonderful El Primero movement. While I doubt a watch with this many crowns and pushers was ever the most effective dive watch design- I can go on-line dating to pick up one of those whenever I want! – my gorgeous Zenith A3736 Chronograph will always be everything I desire in a watch.