Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Rose Gold Version of the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar
An upscale rose gold version of Zenith's complete calendar watch with authentic El Primero pedigree.
Last year, Zenith presented the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, a masterful mix of a complete calendar complication with the brand’s high-frequency chronograph movement and a surprising history. Housed in a compact 38mm case to replicate the proportions of the iconic round-shaped A386 from 1969, the three stainless steel models were well received. Today, Zenith introduces a luxurious version of the watch in rose gold with contrasting black details.
The story about Zenith’s participation in the race to create the first automatic chronograph movement and its integrated high-frequency El Primero calibre has been told countless times. However, a lesser-known fact is that the El Primero was conceived from the start to accommodate a triple calendar and moon phase functions, resulting in a series of 25 prototypes created in 1970 using the round case design of the A386. One of these prototypes was sold by Christie’s in 2012 to Zenith, resulting in a limited edition in 2013, followed by permanent editions of the El Primero 410 Triple Calendar. As Brice comments in his coverage of the watch, the 42mm case “is already quite large, a bit too large, actually. We’d love to see this triple calendar in the vintage 38mm case.” Somebody was listening…
When Zenith introduced the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar in 2024, it travelled back in time to retrieve the compact vintage proportions of its iconic 1969 A386 model, which was refreshed in 2021 as the Chronomaster Original. The compact 38mm case of the new triple calendar model is now crafted in luxurious 18k rose gold and retains vintage elements like the thin bezel, the pump-style pushers, the sharp, sloping profile, the faceted and tapered lugs and the box-shaped sapphire crystal. Decorated with radial brushed and polished surfaces, the 50m water-resistant case exudes a satisfying retro spirit.
The complete calendar indications (day, date and month) are placed in identical positions to the 1970 prototype and blend harmoniously with the classic El Primero three-register chronograph layout. Set against a sleek black dial, the three rose-gold plated sub-dials and 100-increment scale really stand out. The rectangular weekday aperture is placed above the running seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, the month is above the 60-seconds sub-dial at 3 o’clock, and the date appears in the traditional trapezoid aperture at 4:30. The moon phase display is hosted inside the 60-minute sub-dial at 6 o’clock.
Like the Chronomaster Original, the tachymetre scale is replaced with a track dedicated to measuring elapsed times of 1/10th of a second. The applied rose gold-plated hour markers and the faceted hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.
Powered by a modern variant of Zenith’s famous chronograph movement, the high-frequency El Primero 3610 calibre allows the chronograph seconds hand to whizz around the dial in 10 seconds, instead of the traditional 60 seconds. Revealed through the caseback, the automatic integrated chronograph movement has an openworked star-shaped rotor and delivers a robust 60-hour power reserve. Altogether, this movement has been deeply updated technically and visually, compared to the original El Primero, with for instance a longer power reserve (optimised kinetic chain) and a more modern decoration.
The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Rose Gold is paired with a black calfskin strap and an 18k rose gold folding clasp. It is available at Zenith boutiques and authorised retailers worldwide. The watch retails for CHF 25,400 or EUR 27,400. More information at zenith-watches.com.
