It is interesting to see this announcement, but it only confirms what we have known for a long time -- that Zenith was the first to show the world an automatic chronograph.
Here is the summary, based on my research:
-- Zenith was the first to announce or show an automatic chronograph, in January 1969
-- Seiko was the first to offer an automatic chronograph for sale, in Spring 1969, but this chronograph was sold only in Japan
-- Heuer and Breitling were the first to offer an automatic chronograph for sale, in major markets around the world, during the Summer 1969.
Of course, in January 1969, Heuer-Breitling already had many prototypes, but it was Zenith that made the decision to show these prototypes to the world.
So which was first? The answer depends on exactly how you phrase the question. But one thing is clear -- for most people reading this message, in Italy, Germany, the UK or the US, if you walked into a store every day, starting in January 1969, and wanted to buy an automatic chronograph, the first one available would have been a Heuer or Breitling.
All this is discussed here --
www.onthedash.com/docs/Project99.html
Jeff