Hands-On: The Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli
It’s not every day that we see a new stone dial chronograph. Sure, brands like Rolex, Omega, and Bulova are using meteorite for theirs, but it doesn’t seem like any brand is really taking advantage of the countless other variations in colors and textures that we’ve seen spread to so many time-only watches.
This year, for Zenith’s 160th anniversary, a lapis lazuli dial now graces the brand’s Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar in the reference 03.3400.3610/51.C910. And it is an absolutely stunning watch. Though this may be the only lapis-dialed chronograph (and most certainly triple calendar chronograph) available currently on the market, the design didn’t come out of nowhere. In 2019, Zenith celebrated the El Primero caliber’s 50th anniversary with a piece unique in collaboration with Phillips and Bacs & Russo — an A386 in platinum with a lapis lazuli dial. A fitting way to commemorate the anniversary of one of the most important chronograph movements in history. The watch eventually hammered at CHF 250,000, with proceeds going to charity. Now, in 2025, lapis lazuli is back on a Chronomaster to continue Zenith’s all-blue 160th anniversary celebrations.
In the event that you’re not already familiar with Zenith’s Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, in short, it’s a faithful execution of the original A386 case from back in 1969, with a 38mm diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, and 13mm case height. A series of 25 prototypes from the era reveal that Zenith was indeed planning for an A386 triple calendar with moonphase, but the simpler chronograph-only model is the one that ended up gracing the wrists of the general public. But last year, Zenith finally brought back the original prototype look in a trio of Chronomaster Triple Calendars, all operating with a calendar module on top of the El Primero Caliber 3610. This was then followed later in the year with our very own limited edition collaboration with Zenith, resulting in a monochromatic execution of a black dial with meteorite subdials. And though I’m biased, it was really, really good. So good that I bought one.
Anyway, I digress. This new lapis dial takes the execution of a stone dial chronograph that we saw in the meteorite edition and inverts it. This means a lot more stone on the dial, with the main dial plate cut from a slice of lapis lazuli and the subdials executed in the standard snailed metallic discs. From afar, the dial is a beautifully saturated shade of blue, but up close, the mineral inclusions within the stone, in its varying shades of black, silver, and gold, give it the dynamic look that instantly reminds us of why stone dials are so fun. And, as expected, every single slice of stone dial will be different, meaning that the inclusions and overall appearance of the dial will be different on every single watch.
The windows for the triple calendar are subtly cut, with a date window at the 4:30 position and the discs for the day of week, month, and date color-matched in a dark blue to blend right in. While the day of week and month cutouts are quite small in a busy dial, they remain very readable with the white printing in high contrast. The moonphase cutout is integrated well in the chronograph minutes subdial, with the polished moon and stars sitting on top of a prominently brushed blue disc. As this is a triple/complete calendar, and not an annual calendar, the date/day of week will need to be changed five times a year — once in February, April, June, September, and November. To change the day of the week as well as the moon phase, two recessed pushers sit on the left side of the case. The date (and as a result, month) is adjusted through the crown in its first position.
On the wrist, the watch wears just like the rest of the Triple Calendar lineup. And in my experience owning the meteorite version, the case is certainly something to try on in person. A 38mm diameter is usually very compact in nature, but the case wears differently from every 38mm watch I’ve owned. From the top down, it looks normal, and the 46mm lug-to-lug makes sense. But from the side, you notice how high the lugs sit above the case, with the caseback protruding quite prominently and the lugs not quite downturned at the ends. It’s not uncomfortable by any means, but those looking for a wrist-hugging 38mm watch might want to try this on first.
The lapis lazuli Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar comes on both a dark blue strap and a steel bracelet. In my opinion, the watch wears significantly better on the strap. It’s a combination of better contrast and overall a more comfortable wearing experience (the bracelet feels quite lacking, borderline disappointing, especially the feel of the clasp). But thankfully, the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar is a strap monster, and I can only imagine the different straps that would go so well with this rich blue dial.
Now, the ultimate question: How much more would you pay for a lapis dial? The new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli is priced at $22,700, a significant $8,800 premium over the standard Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar priced at $13,900. That is one of the largest increases I’ve seen for a stone dial, considering that on a Rolex Daytona with an Oysterflex bracelet, the difference between a meteorite dial and a standard dial is around $4,500.
Sure, a close-up look at the Chronomaster shows quite a thick cut of the stone, but this watch now sits firmly in a different price tier at over twenty thousand dollars. I suppose there is something to be said about this watch offering a very unique positioning in the market, as a 1/10th of a second chronograph with a lapis lazuli dial, triple calendar, and moonphase. If that manages to check off every single quality you dream about in a watch, well, I can tell you that it’s a very beautiful chronograph to have on your wrist.
For more information, visit Zenith.
Hodinkee
