Zenith continues to prove that a great base design can be highly versatile with the release of a new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar in rose gold. This was a low-key favorite release from last year, picking up on a prototype design from the early ‘70s that never saw production. The original design works exactly as well as you might expect in the modern Chronomaster Original collection, and it’s proven to be quite adaptable, as seen with meteorite accents in this special edition with Hodinkee, and now as seen in rose gold with black accents.
Pairing rose gold with a black dial isn’t exactly a novel combo, but Zentih has managed to make it their own by bringing the rose gold elements into the dial. The trio of sub-dials also take on the color, as does the tenth of a second chapter ring at the perimeter. In fact, all of the hardware adheres to the matte black or warm gold color scheme, save for the lume that’s been applied to the applied hour markers and hands. The small hands within the sub-dials, as well as the moonphase disc, are rendered in black. The day, date, and month discs are also color matched to the dial. The result is a beautifully cohesive design.
The case retains the same A386 proportions of 38mm in diameter, and makes do with 14mm in total thickness, which feels reasonable given the complication set at work here. One small reason this case works so well is the unique brush pattern applied to the lug shoulder, which pushes the focal point to the dial, rather than competing with it as a polished lug might have done. The dial itself pushes right up to the edge of the case, so it makes more of a visual impression than the 38mm diameter suggests, without compromising on wearability.
Inside, Zenith is using their 5 Hz (36,000 VH) 3610 caliber, which brings the full calendar to life in a streamlined manner, and even includes a moonphase display within the six o’clock sub dial. The high frequency chronograph remains as you’d expect, and everything comes together way cleaner than you might imagine given the amount of information being served up on the dial. The movement is visible through an exhibition back, and no, the rotor is not rose gold to match the case (perhaps a missed opportunity?).
Overall, this is another beautiful example of what I consider the most interesting Chronomaster Original currently in production. The material pairings work remarkably well, but it comes at a cast. The MSRP of the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar in rose gold is set at $26,300, which is no small sum, but a rather reasonable number considering the material and feature set. Zenith
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