The El Primero Triple Calendar Returns with Style with an all-new Caliber
The long-awaited Zenith Triple Calendar Chronograph makes its grand return – and its sharper than ever before. One of the most emblematic variations of the El Primero for over 50 years, Zenith’s triple calendar chronograph is instantly recognizable for its clean and balanced display of information. In this new iteration Zenith is combining the cutting-edge performance of its legendary automatic high-frequency chronograph caliber’s latest incarnation with a triple calendar and moon phase, all in a compact and historically inspired design that’s unmistakably Chronomaster.
At the time of its launch in 1969, the El Primero was initially designed to accommodate the triple calendar and moon phase functions right from the very beginning. A series of 25 prototypes were produced in 1970 as a proof of concept, using the same round case as the A386. But given the success of the core chronograph version, the release was postponed a few years and took on a much more space-age design.
With a host of functions, the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar is possibly the most versatile and functional line within the Chronomaster collection. While the 1/10th of a second chronograph is as prominent and legible as the standard Chronomaster Original, the inclusion of the complete calendar is executed in a manner that makes it intuitive to read without cluttering the dial. The days of the week and months are displayed in symmetrically positioned windows above the chronograph counters, while the date window is positioned in the traditional El Primero position of 04:30. The moonphase display is placed with the chronograph’s 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock.
The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar’s compact 38mm case in steel isn’t just vintage inspired, but based on the exact blueprint and proportions of the A386 from 1969. With its bezel-less construction and featuring a raised and domed sapphire crystal, the incorporation of a complete calendar with moonphase and automatic high-frequency without altering the case’s proportions is a true feat of ingenious design.
The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar comes in two distinct dial versions: A sportier silvery-white “panda” opaline dial with black counters and 1/10th of a second scale, and an opulent opaline slate-grey dial with silvery-white counters and scale that is directly inspired by the small series of El Primero triple calendar prototypes from 1970. Both versions are highlighted by rose gold-tone applied baton markers and hands, adding a warm contrast that brings out the polished rose gold moon set on a metallic blue sunray-patterned disk with five-pointed stars.
A new variant of the latest generation El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph caliber, the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar’s El Primero 3610 operates at a rate of 5 Hz (36’000 VpH) to deliver a true 1/10th of a second chronograph function. Even with the addition of the complete calendar, its efficient transmission allows for a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. The sapphire display back provides an unobstructed view of the movement’s contemporary architecture, with a sleek and open design revealing the blue column wheel and open rotor marked with the five-pointed Zenith star.
The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar comes with either a three-link steel bracelet with the same alternating brushed and polished finishes as the case, or a calfskin strap in black for the panda dial and blue for the slate-grey dial.
Learn more about the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar at Cellini Jewelers, an Authorized Retailer for Zenith. Contact us for pricing and availability at 212-888-0505.