Matt Clymo 
The 160th Anniversary celebrations continue for Zenith with the introduction of a new blue Chronomaster Triple Calendar done in the brand’s iconic blue, but this time, the dial is made from Lapis Lazuli and it works oh so well!
When you turn 160 years old, you need to make a big deal out of it. And why not? It’s not every day this happens. Ok, if you’re human, then never, but for a brand, it is not an everyday occurrence. In the watch world, there are only a handful of brands that can say they are over 160 years old, and now this includes Zenith. Zenith also has a proud history of being the first fully integrated watch Manufacture in Switzerland, thanks to one Georges Favre-Jacot who had the vision of creating one watch Manufacture that both made and assembled the watches all under one roof. If you’ve not read our article re-counting our visit to the Zenith Manufacture in Le Locle earlier in the year do yourself a favour and head over there after this.
While we were there, we got to see quite a few of the new releases that Zenith had planned, one of which was a very good-looking Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar with a Lapis Lazuli dial, similar to that found in the new Zenith G.F.J. released at Watches & Wonders this year, and the Lapis Lazuli dial really makes this one stand out from the lineup!
A Piece Of 1969 Brought To Life
You may remember back in 2024, Zenith re-introduced the Chronomaster Triple Calendar back into the line up and rather than doing an interpretation of the watch from 1970, of which only 25 were made originally as a proof of concept, they actually made the watch in the original A386 case from the blueprints of the first design in 1969. So this was very much a true vintage piece come to life. I reviewed the green dial variant back then, and re-reading this now, my experience with the watch comes flooding back to me. I didn’t have many issues with the watch at all and thought that it was a great re-issue of sorts (even though the original was never released, so can it be a re-issue?) and that those with a penchant for sub 40mm watches with classic vintage lines would love it. Seems they did.
So, with this release, I feel that my original comments still stand, but while I’m in a phase of loving green watches currently, there is something about the new Lapiz Lazuli dial that you can’t go past at all. It is a stunning ode to the brand’s official colour, and to that of George Favre-Jacot who one night looked to the sky and saw the highest star (the zenith) and changed the name of the company he founded with his namesake to exactly that – Zenith. The gold-toned pyrite inclusions gives the dial a feeling of looking into that starry night sky, and having been to that part of the world on a clear night, it is a little awe-inspiring.
Contrasting the blue Lapis Lazuli dial are the three sub-counters in a silver tone – one for the 60-second chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, the 60-minute counter with the moon phase at 6 o’clock and the small seconds at 9 o’clock. Above the 3 and 9 o’clock dials is the day and the month on the calendar with a date window tucked away at 4:30 in typical Zenith fashion.
As mentioned, the case is the vintage A386 case from the original 1969 blueprints, as such, is sized appropriately at 38mm in diameter and 46mm lug-to-lug. The watch is on the thicker side, which I did call out in my review, at 14mm, but this is due to the Triple Calendar function added to the El Primero Chronograph, so this makes sense. It also has a 60-hour power reserve which is impressive given the 5Hz beat rate, chronograph and calendar functions. Complimenting the watch is the deep blue leather strap with folding clasp, complete with the 5-point Zenith Star on the buckle.
Initial Thoughts
Zenith is on to a winner with the Chronomaster Triple Calendar, and the new blue Lapis Lazuli dial elevates this piece even more. The way the stone shimmers with the golden pyrite inclusions brings the dial to life, and gives it a depth that you don’t find in many pieces. Lapis Lazuli is also hard to source as well, thanks to ethical issues with much of the mining of the stone, (the major deposit is in Afghanistan and is now in the hands of extremist groups) and Zenith goes to great lengths to ensure that the stone they use is ethically sourced, prior to the Afghanistan occupation or from other mines in the world.
With the vintage proportions retained, the 38m size will appeal to a lot of people, and even I have come around to this size since my review over a year ago. And that is saying something from a guy who normally wears a watch that is 40mm or more given my 17.5cm wrist. I think that much of this has to do with the look of the watch, as the dial is the star of the show here, and really, can you blame me for that?
Reference: 03.3400.3610/51.C910
Specifications:
- Case: 38mm / 46mm lug-to-lug
- Thickness: 14mm thick
- Case Material: Steel brushed and polished case
- Case back: Steel screw-down with sapphire display back
- Dial: Blue Lapis Lazuli dial with silver-toned subdials, day, date, month and moon-phase indicators.
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
- Water resistance: 50m / 5bar
- Movement: Zenith El Primero Chronograph Calibre 3610 with Triple Calendar function
- Power reserve: 60 Hours
- Strap: Blue calfskin leather strap with steel folding clasp and matching steel bracelet with folding clasp.
