Hodinkee, the leading authority in watches and horology, once again partners with the Swiss luxury watchmaker Zenith for their third collaboration. Together, they announce the launch of the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition for Hodinkee. This timepiece celebrates Zenith’s legacy of innovation, reinterpreting the iconic modern chronograph Zenith El Primero and taking it to the next level.
For the first collaboration of the new Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, Hodinkee seized the opportunity to create something truly essential, recognising that Zenith is a unique brand—one capable of effortlessly merging the past, present, and future. The Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition for Hodinkee, equipped with a new high-frequency calibre featuring a triple calendar and moon phase indicator, pays homage to the unusual El Primero prototype from 1970. This year, nine years after halting its production, Zenith has relaunched the ZENITH 3019 PFH with a tenths-of-a-second indicator. With a subtle colour that contrasts with the bold materials and movement, Hodinkee’s design pays tribute to the original prototype and completes it with the tenths-of-a-second indication of El Primero. The resulting watch is an astonishing juxtaposition of past and present, speed and calm, old and new.
This watch showcases the strength and versatility of the original El Primero while providing a silhouette reminiscent of a modern chronograph with exquisite craftsmanship and a specific purpose. It features a 38mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 14mm, along with a case and dial protected by a domed sapphire crystal that evokes the acrylic crystals of vintage El Primero watches, such as the A386. Unlike the blue dial found in the mass-produced versions and the gold-plated indices of the current collection, this model showcases a black moon phase indicator disc and rhodium-plated indices. Additionally, the classic gold-plated chronograph hand has been replaced with a white one in this model, further emphasising the modern touch of this classic design. The watch is presented with a stainless steel bracelet, and it also includes a leather strap with a pin buckle to complete the aesthetic and feel of a high-performance modern sports watch.
The most significant change lies within, fully visible through the case back. The new El Primero 3610 calibre, introduced in early 2024, adds a robust calendar movement to the existing El Primero 3600 calibre, maintaining the same high-frequency design with a column wheel from the original El Primero movement, but incorporating modern technical enhancements that ensure smooth and reliable operation. For instance, the chronograph second hand sweeps across the dial once every ten seconds or six times per minute, a feature that defines Zenith’s iconic tenths-of-a-second indication.
A dynamic black dial and the distinctive date window at 4:30 serve as a balanced backdrop for the rest of the watch. When it came to testing materials, Hodinkee and Zenith looked to the past and incorporated fragments of the Gibeon meteorite, which is estimated to have formed 4.5 billion years ago in the core of an asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter. As a result of the meteorite’s cooling, this material exhibits unique patterns, meaning no two fragments, sub-dials, or Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition for Hodinkee watches will be identical.
Romain Marietta, Product Director at Zenith, remarked, “It is always a pleasure to collaborate with the Hodinkee team, a highly valued partner for the brand for a long time. This watch embodies the highest level of natural sophistication and timeless elegance in chronograph design. The subtle fusion of vintage inspiration with the striking aesthetics of meteorite makes it an undeniable triumph.”
Ben Clymer, founder of Hodinkee, added, “There are very few brands in this world we want to work with, let alone collaborate with three times over eight years. ZENITH is one of them, and as one of our earliest collaborations in the space, it means a lot to us. El Primero is an ideal canvas for creation and reinterpretation. It pays homage to the brand, the calibre, and the entire history of the Swiss industry while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of materials. With our 2024 collaboration, we are doing something unusual; we are using Zenith’s historic triple calendar calibre and combining it with authentic organic meteorite. Since the meteorite is naturally occurring, no two watches will be identical, making this limited edition even more special. I couldn’t be happier with this launch.”
The Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition for Hodinkee is available in a limited edition of just 200 pieces, priced at $13,500. The first 75 pieces will be available in Hodinkee boutiques, and 125 pieces will be on sale starting October 9 on Zenith’s e-commerce platform.
Technical Specifications: Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition for Hodinkee
- Reference: 03.3401.3610/21.M3200
- Functions: Complete calendar (day, date, and month), moon phase; chronograph capable of measuring tenths of a second (completes one full sweep of the dial every 10 seconds)
- Material: Polished and finely brushed stainless steel
- Dimensions: 38 mm case diameter, 19 mm lug width, 14 mm thickness, 46 mm lug-to-lug distance
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Dial: Black with meteorite sub-dials. Rhodium-plated hands and applied metal indices
- Luminescence: Super-LumiNova C1
- Case Back: Transparent case back with special engravings, “One of 200”
- Calibre: 3610, Zenith Manufacture
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Water Resistance: 50M / 5ATM
- Bracelet/Strap: Black calfskin leather strap with pin buckle + stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp
- Manufactured in: Switzerland
