On my personal wish list for watch releases in 2024 that I made at the start of the year was a new Rolex Triple Calendar. However, Zenith have beaten them to the punch with the launch of the new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar. It’s not the first time that Zenith have been ahead of Rolex either as it was their El Primero movement that helped to make the Daytona the star it is today, which just goes to show that Zenith is far more switched on than many give them credit for.
The reason I wanted a new Triple Calendar from Rolex is that during our coverage of the top watch auctions of 2023, there were three of them in the top 10 most expensive watches sold last year. Seeing so many of them perform so well made me re-examine the model and to be honest, I really like it. Naturally Zenith’s take on the Triple Calendar is different because it’s attached to the Chronomaster, making it a chronograph in addition to its calendar complications.
Aesthetically, there are three versions being produced, a panda variant, a slate grey one and an olive green boutique edition (which in my opinion is much more emerald or forest than olive). All of them have rose gold plated hands and hour markers. My personal preference is actually the slate grey edition, although the panda is sure to prove the most popular. I’m actually a little surprised there isn’t a blue version considering it’s Zenith’s signature colour.
Structurally it features the same case design as the standard Chronomaster Original, measuring 38mm in diameter in stainless steel. It’s a great choice for the Triple Calendar as it feels more vintage, appropriate given the new watch is a modern reimagining of the first Chronomaster Triple Calendar from 1969. It makes for a slimmer, more wearable profile than the Chronomaster Sport.
Powering the piece is the El Primero 3610 SC automatic calibre, which operates at 5 Hz with a power reserve of 60-hours. It features an updated rotor with an openworked depiction of Zenith’s five-pointed star logo, which is visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback. It’s one of the most comprehensive and versatile movements in Zenith’s entire range and is on the cusp of being described as a grand complication in the vein of a Patek Philippe – if only it were a perpetual or annual calendar instead. If you’re a bit lost on what the difference is, you can learn about the various calendar types here.
They’re priced at CHF 12,900 (approx. £11,700), which does make them the most expensive steel Chronomasters in the range, with only the gold and partially skeletonised versions costing more. However, I think that’s justifiable given the additional complications, vintage-inspired design and just the overall fact that this is a pretty cool interpretation of the Chronomaster balancing utility and sportiness.
Price and Specs:
More details at Zenith.
