Hodinkee, the leading destination for all things watches and horology, has once again teamed up with luxury watch manufacturer ZENITH for their third collaboration. Together, they are announcing the launch of the ZENITH CHRONOMASTER Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition For Hodinkee. A celebration of ZENITH’s legacy of innovation, the timepiece reinterprets the modern chronograph icon that is the ZENITH El Primero – and takes it to the next level.
For the first collaboration on the new CHRONOMASTER Original Triple Calendar, Hodinkee saw a chance to create something truly special, knowing ZENITH is a brand unlike any other. One that is able to effortlessly marry the past, present, and future. Equipped with a new high-frequency caliber with a triple calendar and moon phase, the ZENITH CHRONOMASTER Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition For Hodinkee is a tribute to a rare prototype El Primero from 1970. Nine years after production was halted, Zenith relaunched the ZENITH 3019 PHF this year, with the 1/10th of a second indication. Subtle in color but bold in material and movement, Hodinkee’s design honors the original prototype while complementing the incredible accuracy of the 1/10th chronograph of the El Primero. The resulting timepiece is a stunning juxtaposition between past and present, slow and fast, and old and new.
This watch demonstrates the strength and versatility of the initial El Primero design while providing a silhouette that feels like a modern, well-made, and purpose-driven chronograph. It features a stainless steel case measuring 38mm wide and 14mm thick and a case and dial enclosed with a raised sapphire crystal, calling to mind the acrylic crystals found on vintage El Primeros like the A386. Unique to the blue serial production disc and gold-plated indexes of current collection pieces, this timepiece features a specially produced black moonphase disc and rhodium-plated indexes. Additionally, the typically gold-plated chronograph hand has been swapped out for white with this model, further emphasizing the modern twist on this classic design. The watch is delivered on a stainless steel bracelet, and a leather strap with a pin and buckle is included to complete the look and feel of a modern high-performance sports watch.
Housed inside the case and entirely visible through the caseback, the most significant change lives inside. Released in early 2024, ZENITH’s new El Primero Caliber 3610 added a robust calendar movement to the existing El Primero Caliber 3600 by sharing the same high-beat rate and column-wheel design of the original El Primero movement, but with modern technical enhancements that ensure smooth running and reliability. For instance, the chronograph seconds hand traverses the dial once every ten seconds or six times per minute, a defining feature of Zenith’s iconic 1/10th of a second chronograph.
A dynamic black dial and ZENITH’s signature 4:30 date window serve as a balanced backdrop for the rest of the watch. When testing materials, Hodinkee and ZENITH looked to the past and incorporated slices of the Gibeon Meteorite—estimated to have formed 4.5 billion years ago within the molten core of an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter. This material features unique patterns as a result of meteorite cooling, meaning no two slices of meteorite, no two subdials, and no two ZENITH CHRONOMASTER Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition For Hodinkee watches are alike.