Zenith Introduces The Brilliant Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar

These are exciting times at Zenith. With former Zenith CEO Julien Tornare moving on to TAG Heuer and new CEO Benoît de Clerck taking over, it will be interesting to see what is next for the brand. What Tornare and his creative team of Romain Marietta and Sébastien Gobert achieved was quite wonderful, meaning that the new CEO De Clerck has some pretty big shoes to fill. Though it was developed while Tornare was still at the helm, the new Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar is the first important release that De Clerck will present. And at first glance, it is the perfect next step for the Chronomaster Original line. Let’s find out more!

A Zenith El Primero Triple Calendar is not necessarily a new phenomenon. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Zenith made the classically styled Chronomaster Triple Date Moonphase that Zenith fans love. But even a Zenith Chronomaster Triple Calendar based on the classic A386 is not a novelty. In 2013, Zenith released the El Primero 410 limited edition with a beautiful gray dial. In 2014, a white-dial version followed, and in 2015, a blue-dial version of the same model came out. The El Primero 410 was a modern, A386-inspired triple-calendar chronograph based on a 1970s prototype. It’s that same prototype that inspired the new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar. But this time, Zenith has made sure to do it right!

What came before the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar?

Looking back at the El Primero 410, I see a watch that has its quirks. At 42mm, it was bigger than the 38mm prototype it was based on, which is a strategy that Zenith has used quite a bit over time when creating modern versions of its classics. Another example is the Zenith El Primero 1969 New Vintage from 2009. This 40mm version of the classic A384 looks great at first sight, but a second glance will tell you the original proportions of the 1969 classic are lost in the bigger size.

Going back to the El Primero 410, though, the size was not the only quirk. The first limited edition from 2013 also featured two large Zenith stars on the dial at 10 and 2 o’clock to make for a weird decorative element. Lastly, the counterweight of the central chronograph hand blocked the moonphase indicator at 6 o’clock when the chronograph was disabled. As I said, the watch had its quirks.

The newfound relevance of Zenith

And if I have to give Zenith a huge compliment about the past 6–7 years, it’s that many of those quirks have disappeared. Under Tornare’s leadership, the brand reinstated the classics of the past in their original sizes and proportions. This has garnered a lot of respect from Zenith fans. On top of that, Zenith has shown that the classic designs are the perfect canvas for modern-day creativity.

Just think of the Chronomaster Revival Safari, Shadow, and the brilliant trilogy of Chronomaster Revivial A384 Lupin The Third models. Lastly, the brand has also created a series of great new models with classic Zenith names, like the Chronomaster Sport, Defy Skyline, Defy Extreme, and the Pilot series. These efforts have given Zenith a renewed relevance, turning it into my favorite brand.

What is next for the Chronomaster Original line?

But with those great successes also comes the question of what is next. Especially for the successful Chronomaster Original and Chronomaster Revival, it is great to see what Marietta and Gobert come up with every time. For the new Zenith Chronomaster Original, the duo dove into the archives to redo that 1970s prototype in a way that respects the original watch better than the version from the 2010s. The result is a series of three Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar models, with two regular-production versions and a special Boutique Edition. Let’s check them out!

The new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar’s stainless steel case has the same shape and dimensions as the original A386 from 1969. It measures 38mm wide, 46mm long, and 13mm thick, including the raised and domed sapphire crystal. The integration of the triple calendar into the instantly recognizable design has been achieved flawlessly. The day indicator sits right next to the 10 o’clock marker, while the month indicator snuggles up to the 2 o’clock marker. As is typical of the Chronomaster Original (and vintage El Primero) models, the date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock. Lastly, the moonphase display has been integrated into the chronograph’s 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock.

The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar is all about visual balance

The great thing about these watches is that still have the the basic design of the Chronomaster Original. By integrating the triple calendar so well, the balance of the original design is never in question. So kudos to Zenith’s designers for making the dial look effortlessly beautiful. As you can see, Zenith opted for three different dial variants of the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, including two for regular production and one boutique-only special.

The first regular model has a silvery-white opaline dial with a matching 1/10th-of-a-second scale on the perimeter. It also features black sub-dials and another black 1/10th-of-a-second ring that mimics the decimal scale on the vintage A386. The second regular model comes with a slate-gray opaline dial with silvery-white sub-dials and scale directly inspired by the 1970s prototypes it is based on. Both regular versions feature rose-gold-colored applied indices and hands filled with Super-LumiNova. They correspond with the rose gold moon on a metallic blue sunray-patterned disc, which also features five-pointed stars as a reference to the brand’s logo.

A special Boutique Edition in beautiful green

The special Boutique Edition boasts a beautiful sunburst olive-green dial with rose-gold-colored applied hour markers and hands filled with Super-LumiNova. All three versions feature calendar discs that match the dial colors. This ensures that the integration is even better. In addition, all versions are available on a matching calfskin leather strap or a three-row stainless steel bracelet. While each variant has its charm, judging from the press shots, the panda-dial version on the bracelet is probably my favorite.

All three watches are powered by Zenith’s new in-house-produced El Primero 3610 caliber. This automatic chronograph movement operates at 36,000vph, has 35 jewels, and provides a 60-hour power reserve. It is a derivative of the El Primero caliber 3600 that powers the regular Chronomaster Original and offers precise timing to 1/10th of a second via the central chronograph hand.

Pricing and final thoughts on the new Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar

All three dial variants will be available for the same price, the only difference being the premium for the bracelet over the strap. If you want your Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar on a leather strap, the price will be CHF 12,900. But if you prefer the stainless steel bracelet, each of the watches will be CHF 13,400. If you ask me, the stainless steel bracelet is the way to go. All three would look amazing on various straps if you want to switch it up. Just keep in mind that the straps measure 19mm wide at the lugs.

Overall, I love these three new additions to the Chronomaster Original collection. I was curious to find out what would be next for this line after a relatively quiet 2023, with the regular model with a black dial as a beautiful highlight. These three new Triple Calendar models show once more that there are plenty more additions to be made to the Chronomaster Original family. And the way the Zenith design team has integrated the triple calendar is wonderful. The calendar functions do not distract from the overall aesthetic, but if you zoom in, they have plenty of standout power to tell you what you want to know.

That is exactly how I love to see a triple calendar integrated into a chronograph. So, once again, Zenith has surprised us with a new addition that finds its relevance in the brand’s history and an execution that perfectly complements the classic A386 design. Another job well done!

For more information, visit the official Zenith website. Let us know our thoughts on the new Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar in the comments section.