Few watch brands are synonymous with a single color, but Zenith cracked the marketing code way back with that blue. Doubling down on the signature across its 160th anniversary celebrations this year, the brand now spotlights the bold hue on the dial of a new Chronomaster Original – the first time it has ever appeared on the model.
The 38mm chronograph is inspired by the legendary 1969 A386, faithfully recreating the iconic design with its round, bezel-less stainless steel case, pump-style pushers, and faceted lugs.
The sunray-detailed dial features Zenith’s emblematic tri-color subdials in gray, dark grey, and blue, while applied rhodium-plated hour markers and hands with Super-LumiNova ensure clarity in all lighting conditions.
At its heart beats the modern El Primero 3600 automatic movement, renowned for its 5 Hz frequency and ability to measure time to 1/10th of a second. Poetically, the A386 was among the earliest models to house this groundbreaking caliber, making it a strong choice for such birthday celebrations.
Here, the central chronograph seconds hand makes a full rotation every 10 seconds, while a 60-second counter sits at 3 o’clock and a 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock.
Featuring a stop-seconds mechanism, 50 meter water resistance and impressive 60-hour power reserve, it has a sapphire caseback that reveals the intricate movement, including the star-shaped rotor with fine finishing.
The watch is offered with a blue calfskin leather strap and a three-link stainless steel bracelet, each with a folding clasp.
$10,300, zenith-watches.com